24 Hour Domestic Violence Help-line

Local authorities can now seek a protection order for vulnerable adults and children without first having to seek leave of the court.
 
Forced Marriage Protection Orders can help vulnerable victims in a range of situations depending on what is needed most. These include orders to:

• prevent anyone entering into any arrangements for engagement or marriage
• hand over passports to stop someone from being taken abroad
• stop intimidation and violence
• reveal the whereabouts of a person.

Failure to comply with an order could lead to imprisonment. Courts are also able to initiate steps to return those already forced into marriage back to the UK.

Eleven voluntary and charitable organisations have also benefited from funding for a pilot scheme providing a dedicated trained adviser to help with the fight against forced marriage. This resource will help them in their role in supporting victims who need to leave home, need support through the court process, and in rebuilding their lives.

The number of applications has already exceeded expectation with 72 orders made as at the end of September.

Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said:

‘We are cutting legal red tape so that local authorities are empowered to give vulnerable people the protection they need as fast as possible.

‘Forced Marriage Protection Orders are helping victims to tackle intimidation and threats of violence and abduction, sometimes from family members who are difficult to stand up against. More than 72 Orders have helped reduce the suffering of vulnerable people in the last year.

‘Forced marriage is a very personal threat. Voluntary organisations are showing us that the best support and advice has to be very personal too, which is why we are working closely with them to meet victims’ needs.’

The first anniversary of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act is on 25 November 2009.

Press Release from the Ministry of Justice website. Subject to © Crown Copyright