A law raising the minimum marriage age in England and Wales from 16 to 18 went into effect Monday, it is designed to protect young girls from forced marriages, according to a press release on the U.K. government website.

The exploitation of vulnerable children by arranging their marriage is now illegal and punishable in all circumstances, whether it was forced or not, the release said.

According to the document, forced marriage was previously considered a crime only if any coercion, such as threats, was used. Now, no proof is needed and the act applies to both registered marriages and informal ceremonies, it said.

This is a landmark day for campaign activists who have worked tirelessly for five years to achieve a ban on child marriage in this country, MP Pauline Latham is quoted as saying in the report.

Now, even with parental consent, 16- and 17-year-olds will not be allowed to marry.