Who should be able to ask the courts to take action to stop a forced marriage? A new consultation exercise launched today is trying to find the answer, with Justice Minister Bridget Prentice working to find the best and most effective ways to protect some of the most vulnerable people in society.
The Government's new Forced Marriage Act was brought in to protect those forced into marriage, whether children, teenagers or adults - and irrespective of background, gender, race or religion. The Act gives the courts a wide discretion to deal flexibly and sensitively with the circumstances of each individual case, employing civil remedies that will offer protection to victims without criminalising members of their family. The new consultation paper is the first step to implementing fully the range of protections afforded by the legislation. It asks what types of people or organisations should be able to apply direct to the courts for the safeguards to be applied in individual cases. It also asks for practical suggestions on how to make the system work as smoothly as possible and it provides an excellent opportunity for the Government to engage fully with all interested parties and with the public.
The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 enables applications by a relevant third party on behalf of a victim of forced marriage. This consultation asks for responses on what need there is for relevant third parties, who should act, and what safeguards might be needed.
Closing date: 14th March 2008
Download the consultation paper:* Consultation paper [PDF 0.81mb, 32 pages]
http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/consultation-31-07.pdf* Questionnaire [Word 0.04mb, 2 pages] http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/fm-consulta...onnaire-cp31-07.doc* Welsh version of the consultation paper [PDF 0.44mb, 32 pages] http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/welsh-versi...sultation-31-07.pdf
Contact details:
Louis Akinlude, Ministry of Justice,
Family Relationships Branch 2,
Post Point 4.17, 4th Floor Selborne House, 54-60 Victoria Street,
London SW1E 6QW
Tel: 020 7210 8320* Fax: 020 7210 8681
Email: Forced.Marriages@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk
Source: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp3107.htm
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