Geoffrey Cox QC MP welcomes the Government’s consultation on criminalising forced marriage

Geoffrey Cox QC the Conservative MP for Torridge and West Devon welcomed the launching of a Government consultation on the criminalisation of forced marriage.

This follows the announcement on 10 October 2011 by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, that the Government would criminalise the breach of Forced Marriage Prevention Orders. These orders block forced marriages from going ahead and protect potential victims.

Although many cases of forced marriage go unreported:

• The Government’s Forced Marriage Unit gave advice or support on 1,735 instances in 2010 alone.
• The youngest victim of forced marriage was just 12 years old, and the oldest 73.
• In 2010 the Forced Marriage Unit gave active assistance to 469 cases across the country.

Commenting, Geoffrey Cox the MP for Torridge and West Devon said:

‘I am glad this Government is examining how we can criminalise forced marriage while ensuring we do not discourage victims from coming forward.

‘We need to completely eradicate this unacceptable crime which rightly appals people across Devon.

‘I fully support the tough stance of David Cameron and Theresa May against forced marriage’.