Resources
This is a searchable library of publications, webinars, blog posts, and training manuals from the U.S. and around the world on the topic of forced marriage.
CHILD MARRIAGE IN THE UNITED STATES: A Serious Problem With a Simple First-Step Solution
Author: Tahirih Justice Center
Published: November 8th, 2016
Child marriage remains a serious problem in present-day America that has devastating, lifelong consequences. Read this backgrounder to learn more about the prevalence of child marriage in the United States, the laws that allow it to persist, and the ways in which it denies young people the opportunity to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Understanding State Statutes on Minimum Marriage Age and Exceptions
Author: Tahirih Justice Center
Publication: November 18, 2016
Updated: July 1, 2019
This chart, which was developed by the Tahirih Justice Center with pro bono assistance from Hogan Lovells US LLP, serves as a resource for understanding the state legal regimes that permit child marriages to happen in the United States. It is an eye-opening compilation of all 50 states’ laws on minimum marriage age and exceptions that among other things, highlights how many states set which age “floors” for marriages. Originally published in 2016, it has been updated to reflect reforms passed through July 1, 2019.
National Consultation: Should Forced Marriage be a Crime in the United States?
Author: Tahirih Justice Center
Publication: June 01, 2016
This report on the June 2016 national consultation on the question of forced marriage criminalization illustrates the complexity of forced marriage cases and details advocates’ diverse perspectives on the potential risks and benefits of making forced marriage a criminal offense in the United States. The meeting was organized by the Forced Marriage Initiative at the Tahirih Justice Center and brought together 30 participants from across the United States.
When Minors Face Forced Marriage: Survivor Stories and Creative Strategies for Assistance
During this webinar, two American child marriage survivors share their stories, highlighting the vulnerabilities and challenges they faced. Experts from the Tahirih Justice Center and Greater Boston Legal Services also share guidance on:
- Red flags and warning signs of forced marriage
- Collaborative strategies to assist minors to avoid or delay a forced marriage
- Creative legal approaches to preventing the forced marriage of minors
- Privacy protection and tech safety planning
- Preventing travel overseas if a forced marriage is imminent or suspected
This webinar was presented as part of the Forced Marriage Initiative’s Quarterly Webinar Series on December 12, 2016.
*This webinar is not publicly available. Please contact us at FMI@tahirih.org for more information.
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and Forced Marriage: Services and Advocacy
Author: Tahirih Justice Center
While not all individuals who face forced marriage are also at risk of FGM/C, and not all survivors of FGM/C will experience forced marriage, the two harms can intersect. This resource outlines the intersectionality of forced marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting and shares information on Tahirih Justice Center legal and social services for survivors or those at risk of these forms of harm.
