In July 2014 it became a criminal offence to forced someone into marriage, but a Bristol-based charity says the law could be forcing victims to “go underground” rather than see their family charged.
Following a Freedom of Information request to HM Courts and Tribunal Service it was revealed that there have been “fewer than five forced marriage protection orders” made in Bristol since the introduction of the new legislation.
An order can help prevent people being married against their will, stop them being taken abroad to marry and force people to hand in passports.
“The Bristol statistics are disappointing and concerning and we need to find out why,” says Sabeena Suleman, a lawyer who helps run the Sky Project.
Read More: http://www.bristol247.com/channel/news-comment/features/investigations/marriage-victims-forced-underground-bristol
