The first protection order has been issued in Scotland to protect a victim of forced marriage.
The legislation, which was introduced in Scotland on 28th November 2011, is the first in the UK to make it a criminal offence to breach an Order, leading to a two year prison sentence, a fine, or both.
The news was revealed as Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon visited Cardonald College in Glasgow to mark the end of the first phase of an awareness drive to encourage greater use and understanding of the legislation.
Speaking as she visited the college, Ms Sturgeon 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.”
“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.”
