Women's Aid have launched a national domestic violence awareness campaign, which centres on a hard-hitting short film directed by BAFTA-winning director, Joe Wright and starring critically acclaimed multi-award winning actress Keira Knightley.
Forced Marriage
New laws against forced marriages introduced.
(25 November 2008)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7747267.stm
What is a forced marriage?
In a forced marriage you are coerced into marrying someone against your will. You may be physically threatened or emotionally blackmailed to do so. It is an abuse of human rights and cannot be justified on any religious or cultural basis.
It’s not the same as an arranged marriage where you have a choice as to whether to accept the arrangement or not. The tradition of arranged marriages has operated successfully within many communities and countries for a very long time.
For more information see the leaflet produced by the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU www.fco.gov.uk/forcedmarriage)
‘What is a forced marriage?’ (PDF)
I’m frightened I might be forced into marriage during a family visit overseas, what should I do?
Call the FMU on 020 7008 0151 before you go.
New laws against forced marriages introduced.
(25 November 2008)
A new law went into effect on Tuesday that allows courts to prevent someone from being forced into marriage.
In the first nine months of 2008, the Forced Marriage Unit — part of Britain's Foreign Office — handled more than 1,300 cases in which there were concerns someone was about to be forced into marriage, or already had been.
Nearly 85 percent of the cases had female victims, and the majority involved families of Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi descent, the unit said. About half involved minors.
The Forced Marriage Act gives British courts the power to issue protection orders that can stop intimidation or violence, prevent someone from having to go abroad, and compel someone to reveal the whereabouts of a person believed to be at risk.
The act allows the victim, a friend, or an agency working with the person at risk — like the police, social services or organisers of a women's refuge — to apply for a protection order. Anyone who violates such an order can be jailed for two years.
It is not a crime in Britain to force someone into marriage. But the practice often includes offenses such as abuse, assault, rape and kidnapping.
Women who had been forced into marriage — or who had escaped a forced marriage — were consulted on the act before it became law, said Shaminder Ubhi, the director of London's Ashiana Project.
"You want to be able to say to the community that this won't be tolerated, that if you are a perpetrator, you will be held accountable," Ubhi said.
Forced marriage differs from arranged marriage in that either the bride, groom, or both do not consent. In arranged marriages, families suggest suitable candidates but both parties must agree to the wedding.
Diana Nammi, the founder of the International Campaign Against Honor Killings, said she would prefer to see forced marriage criminalized but the new law will help.
"It will support that woman, give her power, give her the right to choose, and give her the resources to live safely," she said.
New legal scheme to help victims of abuse launched in Plymouth. (7 November 2008)
New legal scheme to help victims of abuse launched in Plymouth.
(7 November 2008)
A pioneering project to help victims of domestic abuse to get free legal protection was launched in Plymouth today.
Believed to be the first of its kind in Britain, the scheme aims to help domestic abuse victims who do not qualify for legal aid and cannot afford to pay for a civil court injunction.
The pilot project will offer free legal representation to enable people to secure civil court orders protecting them from abusive partners.
People will be assessed for their eligibility by the Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service (PDAS) which will look at the applicant's financial situation and judge the level of risk posed by the abuser.
The project, funded by Devon and Cornwall police and led by Plymouth City Council lawyer Alexandra Boardman, will initially run for six months.
Ms Boardman said: "I was disturbed by the lack of support available to people who clearly needed protection but who were reluctant to report the abuse to the police.
"Unless they could claim legal aid or could pay for an injunction themselves there was nowhere I could send them for help."
Those who qualify for the free service will be able to apply to the court for a non-molestation order, designed to protect them from any further form of abuse or harassment.
They may also be granted an occupation order preventing their partner from entering the home for six months.
In the most serious cases, an injunction can be granted on the same day as the applicant seeks help.
Orders will be served by Police Community Support Officers and if there is a breach, the subject of the injunction can be arrested immediately.