This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/17/world/europe/britain-forced-marriage-is-now-illegal-in-england-wales-new-law.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Marriage by Force Is Addressed in Britain Marriage by Force Is Addressed in Britain
(2 months later)
LONDON — England and Wales made it a criminal offense as of Monday to force anyone into marriage, an effort to persuade victims to come forward and to emphasize secular legal values. LONDON — England and Wales made it a criminal offense as of Monday to force anyone into marriage, an effort to persuade victims to come forward and to emphasize secular legal values.
The practice of forced marriage is more common among South Asians here, government officials said. Nearly two-thirds of the cases that the government’s Forced Marriage Unit deals with stem from these communities, where the common cultural practice of arranged marriage can in extreme cases become forced marriage, which the government considers a form of violence.The practice of forced marriage is more common among South Asians here, government officials said. Nearly two-thirds of the cases that the government’s Forced Marriage Unit deals with stem from these communities, where the common cultural practice of arranged marriage can in extreme cases become forced marriage, which the government considers a form of violence.
The law, which carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years, also makes it a crime to force a British citizen into marriage abroad, since some families force their children to fly to other countries, like Pakistan, India or Bangladesh, for an arranged marriage there.The law, which carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years, also makes it a crime to force a British citizen into marriage abroad, since some families force their children to fly to other countries, like Pakistan, India or Bangladesh, for an arranged marriage there.
Last year, the Forced Marriage Unit dealt with 1,302 cases, with 82 percent of the victims female, while 40 percent were age 17 or under and 15 percent were 15 or under. The government said 43 percent of the cases involved Pakistan, 11 percent India and 10 percent Bangladesh, though 74 countries were involved.Last year, the Forced Marriage Unit dealt with 1,302 cases, with 82 percent of the victims female, while 40 percent were age 17 or under and 15 percent were 15 or under. The government said 43 percent of the cases involved Pakistan, 11 percent India and 10 percent Bangladesh, though 74 countries were involved.
But other estimates from social workers and campaigners suggest that there are 5,000 to 8,000 cases of forced marriage annually in Britain.But other estimates from social workers and campaigners suggest that there are 5,000 to 8,000 cases of forced marriage annually in Britain.
The law does not yet apply to Scotland, which has passed similar legislation, or to Northern Ireland, which is likely to pass its own measure.The law does not yet apply to Scotland, which has passed similar legislation, or to Northern Ireland, which is likely to pass its own measure.
The law is seen here as part of the Conservative-led government’s effort to promote “British values” like gender equality and freedom of choice. The government has been accused by some Conservative legislators and by the populist U.K. Independence Party of not doing enough to combat religious extremism, which here tends to mean radical Islam, or cultural practices like female genital cutting.The law is seen here as part of the Conservative-led government’s effort to promote “British values” like gender equality and freedom of choice. The government has been accused by some Conservative legislators and by the populist U.K. Independence Party of not doing enough to combat religious extremism, which here tends to mean radical Islam, or cultural practices like female genital cutting.
Recently, the government has been embroiled in a heated dispute about some schools in Birmingham, a city with a large Muslim population, and whether they had become too sectarian, leading to charges of government laxity on the one hand and Islamophobia on the other.Recently, the government has been embroiled in a heated dispute about some schools in Birmingham, a city with a large Muslim population, and whether they had become too sectarian, leading to charges of government laxity on the one hand and Islamophobia on the other.
Theresa May, the home secretary, said Monday in a statement that “forced marriage is a tragedy for each and every victim, and its very nature means that many cases go unreported.” She said that Britain would hold a first conference designed to address forced marriage later in the year, much as the Foreign Office sponsored an international gathering last week headlined by Angelina Jolie to combat rape as a weapon of war.Theresa May, the home secretary, said Monday in a statement that “forced marriage is a tragedy for each and every victim, and its very nature means that many cases go unreported.” She said that Britain would hold a first conference designed to address forced marriage later in the year, much as the Foreign Office sponsored an international gathering last week headlined by Angelina Jolie to combat rape as a weapon of war.
The law defines a forced marriage as one in which one or both spouses are coerced into marrying by “physical, psychological, financial, sexual or emotional pressure.” An arranged marriage is presumed to be one where both parties consent.The law defines a forced marriage as one in which one or both spouses are coerced into marrying by “physical, psychological, financial, sexual or emotional pressure.” An arranged marriage is presumed to be one where both parties consent.
One woman told the BBC, which did not reveal her name, that she had been duped into traveling to Pakistan at the age of 17 to marry her first cousin on the pretext of a family vacation. She later escaped what she called an “absolutely horrendous” marriage, in which she was “treated like a slave” by the family of her husband. Her own family has disowned her. “Their view of it all was that they felt I was going to become far too westernized and bring shame onto the family,” she said.One woman told the BBC, which did not reveal her name, that she had been duped into traveling to Pakistan at the age of 17 to marry her first cousin on the pretext of a family vacation. She later escaped what she called an “absolutely horrendous” marriage, in which she was “treated like a slave” by the family of her husband. Her own family has disowned her. “Their view of it all was that they felt I was going to become far too westernized and bring shame onto the family,” she said.
Saima Afzal, the assistant police and crime commissioner for the northwestern county of Lancashire, was coerced into marriage as a young woman. She told the BBC that action was needed, as “cultures do not change alone,” and that it was important to focus on early intervention.Saima Afzal, the assistant police and crime commissioner for the northwestern county of Lancashire, was coerced into marriage as a young woman. She told the BBC that action was needed, as “cultures do not change alone,” and that it was important to focus on early intervention.
Jasvinder Sanghera of the Karma Nirvana charity, which supports victims of honor crimes and forced marriages, praised the new law and said victims should report violations, and then decide whether to prosecute. “Nobody is going to be forcing you to prosecute or criminalize your parents,” she told the BBC.Jasvinder Sanghera of the Karma Nirvana charity, which supports victims of honor crimes and forced marriages, praised the new law and said victims should report violations, and then decide whether to prosecute. “Nobody is going to be forcing you to prosecute or criminalize your parents,” she told the BBC.
Some fear that family pressure will keep victims quiet, or sway them into withdrawing criminal complaints.Some fear that family pressure will keep victims quiet, or sway them into withdrawing criminal complaints.
British courts can already issue civil orders to prevent forced marriage, but the new law criminalizes such marriages. Failing to obey such an order can now result in a prison sentence of up to five years.British courts can already issue civil orders to prevent forced marriage, but the new law criminalizes such marriages. Failing to obey such an order can now result in a prison sentence of up to five years.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children said that children as young as 12 had contacted the group about forced marriage, and that the number of calls had risen considerably in the past year.The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children said that children as young as 12 had contacted the group about forced marriage, and that the number of calls had risen considerably in the past year.