About Us

The Forced Marriage Initiative is a project of the Tahirih Justice Center. Launched in 2011, the Forced Marriage Initiative provides free and confidential support to individuals from anywhere in the United States who are facing forced marriages, either domestically or overseas. The FMI also provides confidential and comprehensive technical assistance to service providers across the country working with individuals facing or fleeing forced marriage.

Tahirih chairs the National Forced Marriage Working Group, which is composed of a core group of advocates and survivors with the energy, experience, and commitment to contribute deeply to efforts to address the problem of forced marriage in the United States. Our aim is to end forced marriage by building a national movement to protect the rights of anyone facing forced marriage, supporting collaborations across communities, and opening space for dialogue among diverse voices.

The Forced Marriage Initiative aims to:

  • Better understand the scope and severity of forced marriage in the United States;
  • Raise awareness about the problem;
  • Encourage and empower individuals facing or fleeing forced marriages to seek help;
  • Build a network of service providers, community advocates, and government agencies with  the necessary tools and expertise to help individuals at risk.

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