Finance Minister Nigel Dodds announced today the introduction of new laws to protect against forced marriage.
This means that the main provisions in the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 will come into force in Northern Ireland on 25 November 2008.
The Act allows for the making of a court order to protect those faced with forced marriage or those who have been forced into a marriage.
Welcoming the new laws, Mr Dodds said:“The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 allows a court to intervene to protect a person who is faced with forced marriage or has been forced into marriage.
It marks a further expansion of the civil justice protective regime and will ensure that the courts have the necessary powers to provide effective, well targeted relief.”
Notes to Editors
- The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 (the Act) received Royal Assent in July 2007. The aim of the Act is to provide protection to those at risk of forced marriage and to provide recourse for those who have already been forced into marriage.
- The Act allows a court to make a Forced Marriage Protection Order. This 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.
- A copy of the Act is available at - http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2007/ukpga_20070020_en_1
- Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7644 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
