Weather
MP says increase in protection orders should lead to new law (From Ilkley Gazette)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting IGNEWS to 80360, or email
MP says increase in protection orders should lead to new law
8:20pm Tuesday 30th March 2010
An MP has called for the Government to look again at whether forced marriage should be made a criminal offence if cases continue to rise in the next year.
Keighley and Ilkley MP Ann Cryer has spent ten years raising awareness of the problems surrounding forced marriage.
The Labour MP, who is retiring at the next election, had lobbied for the law which saw the age someone can come into the UK to marry raised from 18 to 21 and was at the centre of Forced Marriage Protection Orders which offer protective measures if a forced marriage has already taken place.
Latest figures show since the orders were introduced in November 2008, 117 had been taken out, including on a girl aged eight.
Mrs Cryer said if figures were still rising in 18 months, the Government must look at making it a criminal offence.
She said: “The forced marriage orders have only been in place for 18 months and already more than 100 orders have been served, saving these women from the severe trauma, humiliation and rape involved in this inhuman activity.
“I know many victims would be unwilling to report the offence if it were regarded as a criminal act dealt with through the criminal justice system but if the numbers continue to increase Government should in 18 months’ time consider introducing a criminal offence.
"We have to give the orders time as they have not been introduced very long but if the Forced Marriage Unit are finding they are getting more and more cases then we will have to look again at the criminal case.”
More Local news stories
- Ilkley folk give generously to Pakistan flood fund
- Produce, arts and crafts on display at Menston Show
- Tesco wins planning appeal
- Chief Guide comes to Wharfedale
- Yachting brothers hope to make a splash Down Under
- School reunion takes Westville pupils back to the beginning
- Safety campaigners vow to fight on in crossing row
- Divers find missing fisherman's body
- Outdoor swim to help Ben's fund
- First in line for Ikley Literature Festival tickets
Your Say YourIlkley
puddingandpi, Brighton says...
9:57pm Tue 30 Mar 10
finemess wrote:I agree - and I am amazingly anti-racist. It's not about race, it's about culture & customs. Some customs are just wrong & I know people won't like that, but it's true.
Isn't this what diversity is all about or do we just pick and choose the bits we want?
I thought forced marriage was illegal anyway.
Joedavid, Bradford says...
11:15pm Tue 30 Mar 10
puddingandpi wrote:Probably means arranged mariages, that is wrong too in our English culture.
finemess wrote: Isn't this what diversity is all about or do we just pick and choose the bits we want?I agree - and I am amazingly anti-racist. It's not about race, it's about culture & customs. Some customs are just wrong & I know people won't like that, but it's true. I thought forced marriage was illegal anyway.
We do live in England do we not?
albion, west riding says...
11:36am Wed 31 Mar 10
Joedavid wrote:As yet.
puddingandpi wrote:Probably means arranged mariages, that is wrong too in our English culture.
finemess wrote: Isn't this what diversity is all about or do we just pick and choose the bits we want?I agree - and I am amazingly anti-racist. It's not about race, it's about culture & customs. Some customs are just wrong & I know people won't like that, but it's true. I thought forced marriage was illegal anyway.
We do live in England do we not?
Andraste, says...
1:01pm Wed 31 Mar 10
puddingandpi wrote:The Muslims I work with say it's prohibited in Islam. I don't know why people do it. As you say, it's culture and ignorance.
finemess wrote:I agree - and I am amazingly anti-racist. It's not about race, it's about culture & customs. Some customs are just wrong & I know people won't like that, but it's true.
Isn't this what diversity is all about or do we just pick and choose the bits we want?
I thought forced marriage was illegal anyway.
puddingandpi, Brighton says...
2:18pm Wed 31 Mar 10
It still goes on to a certain extent with people from particular sections of society only really mixing with similar people, but it's not very common nowadays. Our society grew out of it & women started getting arsey about being used in this fashion.
Educate these women & ensure they know about their rights, educate the men & boys too - as well as cracking down hard on "honour" murders. It's the only way to stop it.
This practice is genuinely Mediaeval.
birday, Bradford says...
9:05am Fri 2 Apr 10
puddingandpi wrote:Spot on!
We did used to have arranged marriages. It was mainly nobility & the rich, but marriage was a way of keeping assets within the family & forming alliances for power. It still goes on to a certain extent with people from particular sections of society only really mixing with similar people, but it's not very common nowadays. Our society grew out of it & women started getting arsey about being used in this fashion. Educate these women & ensure they know about their rights, educate the men & boys too - as well as cracking down hard on "honour" murders. It's the only way to stop it. This practice is genuinely Mediaeval.
The problem is we have very few politians brave and courageous enough to do anything about this problem.
The social implications of their inaction and rhetoric is huge and poorly understood by them.
Ann Cryer
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
finemess, bradford says...
9:52pm Tue 30 Mar 10