Young individuals aged 16 and 17 are actually legally banned from marrying in England and Wales.
Under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act, it’s now against the law to take advantage of weak kids by arranging for them to marry, or enter a civil partnership, below any circumstances.
That would be the case whether or not power is used or not.
“Traditional” ceremonies which are legally non-binding, however that are nonetheless seen as marriages by the events and their households, shall be included.
Anyone discovered responsible of arranging baby marriages faces a sentence of as much as seven years in jail.
It is a “huge leap forward” in tackling “this usually hidden abuse”, mentioned Natasha Rattu, director of the Karma Nirvana charity, which is a member of the Girls Not Brides Coalition.
Ms Rattu mentioned she hoped the brand new regulation would “help to increase identification and reporting, affording greater protection to children at risk”.
Cases of kid marriage
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab mentioned perpetrators would face the “full force of the law”.
In 2021, the federal government’s compelled marriage unit offered recommendation or assist in 118 circumstances involving victims aged below 18.
Forced marriage is extra more likely to have an effect on women than boys, the Ministry of Justice mentioned.
Figures for England and Wales in 2018 present 28 boys married below the age of 18, in contrast with 119 women.
“Last year, the national Honour Based Abuse helpline supported 64 cases of child marriage, representing only a small picture of a much bigger problem,” Ms Rattu mentioned.
‘Landmark day’
“This law will better protect vulnerable young people, by cracking down on forced marriage in our society,” Mr Raab mentioned.
“Those who act to manipulate children into marrying under-age will now rightly face the full force of the law.”
Conservative MP Pauline Latham, who launched the invoice in parliament in 2021, mentioned Monday is a “landmark day for the campaigners who have worked relentlessly for over five years to ban child marriage in this country”.
She added: “Child marriage destroys lives and through this legislation we will protect millions of boys and girls over the coming years from this scourge.”
Safeguarding minister Sarah Dines mentioned the federal government is working to make sure that coaching and steering is given to assist police, social staff and different professionals “support and safeguard victims”.
Source: information.sky.com”