This week a law was passed in Scotland, making forced marriage a criminal offence. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the law makes it a civil offence – it provides protection for young people being forced into marriage, rather than making those responsible liable to prosecution. Marking the third anniversary of the UK law, Plan UK held a debate on the pros and cons of making forced marriage a criminal – rather than civil – offence. The event, hosted in partnership with MP Helen Grant, took place in the Houses of Parliament.
The debate was chaired by Ritula Shah, presenter of ‘The World Tonight’ on Radio 4, with speeches from Helen Grant, Plan UK’s Chief Executive, Marie Staunton, and Jasvinder Sanghera, founder and director of the charity Karma Nirvana.
Discussions covered the range of views held on this subject. Those in favour of criminalisation argued that it would send a strong, clear message to perpetrators that forced marriage was not acceptable in the UK.
Those against criminalisation felt that it took too much power away from women being forced into marriage, by leaving them as witnesses to a police case, rather than driving the case themselves. One participant drew parallels with the Harassment Act - which includes measures with both elements – it was suggested that having the choice of either civil or criminal action might be the best option. You can join in the debate on our Because I am a Girl facebook page
At our event, there was a general feeling that prevention is better than prosecution, and that the focus needed to be on educating girls – and community groups – on the negative impacts of forced marriage, and the rights of girls and young women to choose who to marry.