What is a forced marriage protection order?
Forced Marriage Protection Orders came into force in this country in 2008. Anyone - including a victim, friend or local authority - can ask the Family Court to implement a Forced Marriage Protection Order (FMPO).This can stop a person being married against their will and prevent them from being taken abroad.
The FMPOs can also demand that perpetrators stop any intimidation, reveal the victim's location and hand over passports otherwise they could face imprisonment.
It is now a criminal offence to breach a FMPO – with a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment.
This includes:
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Taking someone overseas to force them to marry (whether or not the forced marriage takes place)
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Marrying someone who lacks the mental capacity to consent to the marriage (whether they’re pressured to or not
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The civil remedy of obtaining a Forced Marriage Protection Order through the family courts will continue to exist alongside the new criminal offence, so victims can choose how they wish to be assisted.
Forcing someone to marry carries a prison sentence of up to 7 years.
Useful Links...
Karma Nirvana
Call 0800 5999247
The Forced Marriage Unit
Call 020 7008 0151
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forcedmarriage
Twitter: @FMUnit
020 8539 0427
Domestic Violence Helpline Greater Manchester
0161 636 7525
Equality Advisory & Support (EASS)
0808 800 0082
Freedom charity
0845 607 0133
Honour Network Survivors Helpline
0800 5999 247
National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline
0808 2000 247
020 8472 0528 East London
0808 2000 247
0161 945 4187