Compiled by: Tahirih Justice Center

Publication: January, 2020

The 20 survivor voices featured in the report provide a powerful window into the circumstances under which children are forced and coerced into marriages in modern-day America.

These survivors have shared their stories so that we may understand fully the significant, life-long consequences of child marriage and to compel us all to continue our fight to change the laws that allow this practice to continue. For every survivor who speaks out, countless others cannot do so. This report honors their courage as well.

During this webinar, the Forced Marriage Initiative provides tips for hotline advocates who encounter cases of forced marriage in their work.

Forced marriage is a significant, yet hidden problem in the United States that impacts individuals of every socioeconomic status, ethnic, religious and cultural background. More often than not, forced marriage is just one part of a spectrum of other harms that an individual who is forced to marry may face in their lifetime. In fact, forced marriage can often lurk behind the issues that first present themselves including mental health concerns, physical and psychological abuse, sexual assault and rape. Advocates at the National, State, and Local Hotline level are on the front lines of victim response and can often be the first point of contact for individuals at risk and survivors of forced marriage seeking assistance and support.

Author: Tahirih Justice Center

Publication: November, 2019

This resource, created by the Tahirih Justice Center’s Forced Marriage Initiative, compiles existing research on the harms of child marriage into a convenient one-pager, useful for advocacy and education on the issue of child marriage in the United States.

Author: Tahirih Justice Center

Publication: November, 2019

This resource, created by the Tahirih Justice Center’s Forced Marriage Initiative, provides advice and guidance for hotline advocates who may encounter cases of forced marriage in their work. It includes a definition of forced marriage, a note on mandated reporting, red flags that may indicate a threat of forced marriage, and advice for how to speak to individuals who may be at risk.

Author: Forced Marriage Initiative

Publication: November, 2019

This brochure, now available in French, provides an overview of forced marriage in the United States, basic safety tips for survivors, and the services offered by the Forced Marriage Initiative at Tahirih Justice Center.