Forced marriage protection orders
The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 came into force on 25 November 2008.
The Act enables family courts to make Forced Marriage Protection Orders to protect someone from being forced into marriage. An order can also be made to protect someone who has already been forced into marriage, to help remove them from the situation.
The Act sends out a strong signal that forced marriage will not be tolerated. Those who fail to obey an order may be found in contempt of court and sent to prison for up to two years.
Types of court orders
Each Forced Marriage Protection Order, made by the court will contain terms that are designed to protect the victim in their particular circumstances. Examples of the types of orders the court may make are:
- to prevent a forced marriage from occurring
- to hand over passports
- to stop intimidation and violence
- to reveal the whereabouts of a person
- to stop someone from being taken abroad
The Act also enables the court to respond to emergency situations, by making orders without notice to the respondent (s).
Further Information
FL701 Forced Marriage Protection Orders
FL701 Gorchmynion Amddiffyn Priodi Dan Orfod
FL702 Forced Marriage Protection Orders - How can they protect me?
FL702 Gorchmynion Amddiffyn Priodi Dan Orfod – Sut gallant fy amddiffyn i?
FL702 Forced Marriage Protection Orders - How can they protect me? - Arabic version
FL702 Forced Marriage Protection Orders - How can they protect me? - Bengali version
FL702 Forced Marriage Protection Orders - How can they protect me? - Farsi version
FL702 Forced Marriage Protection Orders - How can they protect me? - Punjabi version
FL702 Forced Marriage Protection Orders - How can they protect me? Urdu version