Raise marriage age to 18 to stop forced nuptials, say MPs

The minimum age for marriage should rise to 18 to protect children from forced nuptials, say MPs.

Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham and leading campaigner on child abuse and forced marriage, is jointly heading a cross party campaign to close a loophole that can lead to children being pressured or coerced into a marriage.

The current law allows child marriage under 18 through the “legal exception” of parental consent. The onus is on the child to protest if they feel the marriage is forced but it is rare for them to report it to the authorities as most are still at school and just 16 or 17.

“Child marriage is child abuse,” said Ms Champion, who is backed by leading Conservative and Labour...


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/10/04/raise-marriage-age-18-stop-forced-nuptials-say-mps/

Good idea, though Islam would be against it !