A COURT order has been issued to protect a victim of forced marriage for the first time in Scottish history.
The Forced Marriage Protection Order was granted to a woman, who has not been named, at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
New legislation allowing the orders was introduced in November and is the first in the UK to make it a criminal offence to breach an order. It carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and offers victims protection from being coerced into marriage through physical, verbal or psychological abuse.
Smina Akhtar, director of Muslim women's resource centre Amina, described the legal move as "very positive" as it showed the courts were prepared to use the new powers.
She added: "It's a shame that people have to use it, but it's very good it's there to protect people who are experiencing a potential forced marriage.
"It's a positive message for the Scottish Government that after such a short time of the law coming into force, someone is benefiting from it. It shows they did the right thing in introducing it."
Nicola Sturgeon revealed details of the case at the end of the first phase of a campaign to raise greater awareness of the issue.
Speaking at Cardonald College in Glasgow, the Deputy First Minister said: "All people in Scotland who are eligible to marry or enter into a civil partnership should have the right to do so freely without coercion.
"Scotland is leading the way in this legislation in ensuring that anyone who breaches a protection order – and anyone aiding or abetting them – will feel the full force of the law. We know people who refuse are often subjected to threats, assault, captivity or worse at the hands of their own family.
"I have always been very clear that forced marriage has no place in 21st-century Scotland, and we need to make sure that those affected by forced marriage receive the help and support they need."
Courts can tailor the terms of the order according to the specific needs of the victim and can ensure they are taken to a safe place or prevented from being taken abroad for marriage. Existing powers to annul a forced marriage have also been reformed to make the process easier.
Ms Akhtar said that since the introduction of the legislation, Amina has seen a 50% increase in the number of people seeking help. She said: "Young people have an increased awareness now of what their rights are."
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