Local MP supports new marriage law, ending child marriage for good in England and WalesMaria met with Pauline Latham MP who sponsored this legislation through Parliament and incredible survivors of child marriage Payzee Mahmod, Farhana Raval and Ria Sajid who have been calling for changes in the law for many years.
Maria said, “The victims of child marriage, almost always leave education and are much more likely to face domestic abuse, coercion, and physical and sexual violence.
This is a huge amendment to marriage law, removing any exceptions which previously allowed children to have a registered marriage at 16 with parental or judicial consent.
I fully support this act to outlaw child marriage in all its forms in England and Wales for good.”
This law puts child protection at the centre, unlike with forced marriage legislation, where in practice it was necessary for the child to testify against their parents in order to secure a conviction, this law is automatic. Anyone found to cause a child to enter into a marriage, whether or not the child allegedly ‘consented’, is breaking the law.
This includes registered and unregistered marriages, and even situations where children are taken out of the country to be married.
The parents, or those arranging the marriage, can be prosecuted and face up to 7 years in prison.
The victims of child marriage, almost always leave education and are much more likely to face domestic abuse, coercion, and physical and sexual violence.
Now, every teacher, doctor, police officer and carer needs to know that when you are faced with a case of child marriage – the law is on your side. No child should ever again face the prospect of being married under the age of 18 in this country