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Forced marriages outlawed in 'huge step forward'

A new law outlawing forced marriages comes into effect today in England and Wales. The offence will carry a maximum seven year jail sentence under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

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Theresa May: Forced marriage 'cruel and unacceptable'

The Home Secretary has described forced marriage as "cruel and unacceptable" and said new laws will which come into effect today show the practice "will not be tolerated" in the UK.

In an exclusive blog for Good Morning Britain, Theresa May said laws were needed because the "scale of the problem is staggering".

We want to send a clear message that forced marriage is cruel and unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

The individual stories are heart-rending. In one tragic recent case, a 17 year woman was taken to Turkey – she thought she was going on holiday, but instead she was forced to marry.

She was a bright, ambitious young woman who planned to go to university to study law. But suddenly her life had become a total nightmare. The marriage was horrifying, with sexual, mental and physical abuse.

– Theresa May

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