A campaigner claims that a new law in England and Wales will “help to increase identification and reporting, affording greater protection to at-risk minors.”
In England and Wales, marriage is currently illegal for those under the age of 16.
The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act makes it illegal to marry or civilise vulnerable kids.
This will be the case whether or not force is used.
Included will be “traditional” ceremonies that are not legally binding but are still regarded as marriages by the parties and their families.
Anyone convicted of arranging juvenile marriages faces up to seven years in prison.
It is a “huge leap forward” in combating “this typically concealed abuse,” according to Natasha Rattu, director of the Karma Nirvana charity, a coalition member.
Ms. Rattu hoped that the new law would “help to enhance identification and reporting, affording greater protection to at-risk children.”
instances of underage marriage
Dominic Raab, the secretary of justice, stated that offenders would confront “the full force of the law.”
In 2021, the government’s forced marriage unit advised or assisted 118 victims under the age of 18.
According to the Ministry of Justice, forced marriage is more likely to affect females than it is to affect boys.
28 males were married before the age of 18 in England and Wales in 2018, compared to 119 girls.
Ms. Rattu stated, “Last year, the national helpline for honor-based abuse supported 64 cases of child marriage. Which is only a minor portion of a much larger problem.”
‘Landmark day’
This law will defend vulnerable young people by cracking down on coerced marriage in our society, says Mr. Raab.
Pauline Latham, a Conservative member of parliament who introduced the bill in 2021, described Monday as a “landmark day for the campaigners who have worked tirelessly for over five years to prohibit child marriage in this country.”
She added, “Child marriage destroys lives, and through this legislation. We will protect millions of boys and girls from this scourge in the future years.”
Sarah Dines, the minister for victim protection, stated that the government is working to ensure that training and guidelines are provided to assist police, social workers, and other professionals in “supporting and safeguarding victims.”
