The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 become new legislation with new changes to the Act:
- raising the minimum age of legal marriage to 18 in all circumstances in England and Wales; and
- expanding the offence of forced marriage in England and Wales meaning that it is now illegal to do anything to cause a child to marry before they turn 18, even if coercion is not used.
In addition a forced marriage resource pack has been published, modelled on the one which already exists for FGM. This brings together key information, guidance, leaflets, videos, other resources, case studies, and details of support organisations, relating to forced marriage, for the benefit in particular of front-line professionals.
