UK Wedding News
07/07/2014
The announcement has been made as Forced Marriage Awareness week commences today (7 July) and runs until 11 July. In a statement, the UK Government said the summer school holidays are a "peak time" for young people to be taken abroad and forced into marriage against their will.
Last year, it was revealed that in 40% of cases where the FMU provided advice or support, were those which involved victims aged 17 or under. Some of the cases involved the victims being taken on what they are told is a holiday to visit family, but a marriage has actually been organised for them instead. Once the young person is overseas, they tend to become isolated and getting help becomes difficult.
This week, the FMU has said it will be highlighting the issue of forced marriage on social media sites by using tweets, images and blogs.
Mark Simmonds, Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister commented: "Forced Marriage Awareness week is aimed at making sure people know where to get help before the summer holidays and ensuring professionals know how to respond.
"It is vital that people are protected from this harmful practise which is now a criminal offence. I urge professionals and people to get in touch with the Forced Marriage Unit if they are concerned about forced marriage."
Norman Baker, Crime Prevention Minister, added: "The school summer holidays are a peak time for young people from the UK to be taken overseas and forced into a marriage against their will.
"That's why the government's Forced Marriage Unit is raising awareness of the issue among victims and professionals through Forced Marriage Awareness Week.
"For girls who are forced to marry against their will and experience this appalling form of abuse it is often a life sentence.
"By making forced marriage a criminal offence we have increased protection for victims. Forced marriage is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated."
In June, the UK Government introduced new legislation making forced marriage a criminal offence. It also applies to UK nationals who are overseas and who are at risk of becoming a victim of a forced marriage.
(JP/MH)
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Warning Issued Over Forced Marriages
The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) has issued a warning of forced marriage as the school summer holiday session commences.The announcement has been made as Forced Marriage Awareness week commences today (7 July) and runs until 11 July. In a statement, the UK Government said the summer school holidays are a "peak time" for young people to be taken abroad and forced into marriage against their will.
Last year, it was revealed that in 40% of cases where the FMU provided advice or support, were those which involved victims aged 17 or under. Some of the cases involved the victims being taken on what they are told is a holiday to visit family, but a marriage has actually been organised for them instead. Once the young person is overseas, they tend to become isolated and getting help becomes difficult.
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This week, the FMU has said it will be highlighting the issue of forced marriage on social media sites by using tweets, images and blogs.
Mark Simmonds, Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister commented: "Forced Marriage Awareness week is aimed at making sure people know where to get help before the summer holidays and ensuring professionals know how to respond.
"It is vital that people are protected from this harmful practise which is now a criminal offence. I urge professionals and people to get in touch with the Forced Marriage Unit if they are concerned about forced marriage."
Norman Baker, Crime Prevention Minister, added: "The school summer holidays are a peak time for young people from the UK to be taken overseas and forced into a marriage against their will.
"That's why the government's Forced Marriage Unit is raising awareness of the issue among victims and professionals through Forced Marriage Awareness Week.
"For girls who are forced to marry against their will and experience this appalling form of abuse it is often a life sentence.
"By making forced marriage a criminal offence we have increased protection for victims. Forced marriage is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated."
In June, the UK Government introduced new legislation making forced marriage a criminal offence. It also applies to UK nationals who are overseas and who are at risk of becoming a victim of a forced marriage.
(JP/MH)
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