A new law has come into effect making it a criminal offence to force people into marriage, with those found guilty facing a possible seven years in jail.

The law applies both to people being forced into marriage in England and Wales, but also UK nationals being forced into marriage abroad.

The crime can involve physical, psychological, emotional, financial and sexual pressure, including being held unlawfully captive, assaulted and raped.

Home Secretary Theresa May said:

“Forced marriage is a tragedy for each and every victim, and its very nature means that many cases go unreported.

“I am proud to say that the UK is already a world-leader in the fight to stamp out this harmful practice with the government’s Forced Marriage Unit working hard to tackle this terrible practice in the UK and overseas.

“Today’s criminalisation is a further move by this government to ensure victims are protected by the law and that they have the confidence, safety and the freedom to choose.

“This summer, the Prime Minister will also be hosting the UK’s first summit dedicated to galvanising action against forced marriage and related issues.”

Both young girls and boys are being forced into marriages in the UK and abroad, with one 17-year-old girl telling NSPCC counsellors:

“My parents want to force me into marrying a man who is a lot older. What makes it worse is that I am in love with someone else. My family are really strict and they call me terrible names. I am feeling really depressed and unhappy and sometimes think about killing myself. I feel like I have no other choice but to run away as I am living in hell.”

A young boy also described his situation to counsellors, saying:

“I am only 13 and about to be forced into an arranged marriage in Pakistan. I’ve met the bride I am going to be marrying and feel really hurt and angry about what is going on. I tried to tell my dad how I feel but he slapped me – he often beats me. I am really scared of him. The same thing happened to my sister and I don’t want to end up like her. I really don’t want to get married.”

The government’s Forced Marriage Unit gave advice or support related to a possible forced marriage to more than 1300 people last year.