Forced marriage law comes into effect

Posted By: James

Monday 16th June 2014

Forcing someone into marriage in England and Wales will carry a maximum seven-year jail sentence from today, as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. However, campaigners have expressed concerns over the effectiveness of the legislation. Shereen Williams of the Henna Foundation, which has helped victims of forced marriage, said: "David Cameron was hell-bent on making this a criminal offence, but victims will be very reluctant to take action that could lead to parents' or other family members' imprisonment.”

[Would you like to leave a comment?]