News from The Labour Party

Labour: We’re on the side of vulnerable victims

The Labour Party, today, has demonstrated its commitment to protecting the vulnerable and supporting victims of forced marriages. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act, to protect victims of forced marriage and prevent others from the same fate, comes into force on 25 November 2008.

On top of current criminal protection, the Act will provide robust civil protection for vulnerable people threatened with forced marriage and enhance the rights of people from across different communities in the UK who are affected by this problem.

The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act comes into force on White Ribbon Day which brings together men and women of many different communities and backgrounds to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Jack Straw MP, Labour’s Secretary of State for Justice said:

“Today we are standing on the side of vulnerable victims, providing hope to what is often a desperate situation. It is fitting the law comes into force on White Ribbon Day – the White Ribbon Campaign is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men’s violence against women.

“As a Labour Government, we urge everyone to pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. This is why the Forced Marriage Act enables anyone to apply for a Forced Marriage Protection Order on behalf of a victim, as victims may be unable to protect themselves.

“We are determined to do everything we can to support victims of forced marriage, provide education to prevent others from becoming victims, and pull together all the agencies involved to ensure we work together to safeguard all children and adults. Forced marriage is an appalling and indefensible practice that this Labour Government is working hard to stop.”

Labour’s Manchester City Councillor and author Sameem Ali will also be supporting the day, and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness in schools after writing the book ‘Belonging’ based on her true life story of being forced into marriage aged just 13.

Sameem Ali, Labour Party Councillor, said:

“I became involved with politics because I wanted to make a difference and thanks to Labour’s record the message is clear that violence of any sort against women is not, and never should be, tolerated in a fair society.

“Since coming to power we have been determined to end the suffering of hundreds of thousands of women, through the commitment to specialist domestic violence courts, rape centres and the legislation to stop forced marriages.

“It is fitting that the Forced Marriage Act comes into law today as well, this is one of the steps Labour is taking to end a life of misery for thousands of women, on a day when we are trying to raise awareness of the continued suffering.”

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