A future Tory government would consider making forced marriages a criminal offence, David Cameron is to announce.
A future Tory government would consider making forced marriages a criminal offence, David Cameron is to announce.
Speaking in Bradford, the Tory leader will commit the party to a series of measures against what he will call a "bizarre and unacceptable" practice.
Speaking in Bradford, the Tory leader will commit the party to a series of measures against what he will call a "bizarre and unacceptable" practice.
These include ensuring people coming to Britain to get married are at least 21.
These include ensuring people coming to Britain to get married are at least 21.
About 300 cases a year are reported to the government's Forced Marriage Unit but Mr Cameron believes the true figure is likely to be into the thousands.
About 300 cases a year are reported to the government's Forced Marriage Unit but Mr Cameron believes the true figure is likely to be into the thousands.
While in Bradford Mr Cameron will meet victims of forced marriages, as well as holding a meeting of the shadow cabinet.
While in Bradford Mr Cameron will meet victims of forced marriages, as well as holding a meeting of the shadow cabinet.
It seems utterly bizarre, and frankly unacceptable, that this goes on in Britain David Cameron
It seems utterly bizarre, and frankly unacceptable, that this goes on in Britain David Cameron
Mr Cameron will stress the measures would not apply to voluntary arranged marriages.
Mr Cameron will stress the measures would not apply to voluntary arranged marriages.
"Forced marriages, on the other hand, are the practice where girls, some as young as 11, are bullied, psychologically pressured, assaulted, sometimes kidnapped and taken abroad, and forced to marry someone they don't want to," he will say.
"Forced marriages, on the other hand, are the practice where girls, some as young as 11, are bullied, psychologically pressured, assaulted, sometimes kidnapped and taken abroad, and forced to marry someone they don't want to," he will say.
"It seems utterly bizarre, and frankly unacceptable, that this goes on in Britain - but it does."
"It seems utterly bizarre, and frankly unacceptable, that this goes on in Britain - but it does."
Charge parents
Charge parents
The current Forced Marriages Act allows victims to take action only under civil, not criminal, law.
The current Forced Marriages Act allows victims to take action only under civil, not criminal, law.
"The argument runs that it is unlikely that victims will come forward if it means pressing criminal charges against their parents," Mr Cameron will add.
"The argument runs that it is unlikely that victims will come forward if it means pressing criminal charges against their parents," Mr Cameron will add.
"But we shouldn't close this door - and if the current legislation doesn't work in ending forced marriages, the Conservative Party would consider making them a criminal offence."
"But we shouldn't close this door - and if the current legislation doesn't work in ending forced marriages, the Conservative Party would consider making them a criminal offence."
In a separate move, the Tories say that they will require anyone coming to live in the UK to have a basic command of English.
In a separate move, the Tories say that they will require anyone coming to live in the UK to have a basic command of English.
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