During this webinar, the Forced Marriage Initiative and Justice of the Peace Association provide tips for marriage officiants who may encounter cases of forced marriage, child marriage, or human trafficking in the course of their routine business.

Forced and child marriage are significant, yet hidden, problems in the United States that impact women and girls from every socioeconomic status, ethnic and religious background. Victims often face physical and psychological abuse, rape, denial of education and opportunity and minors threatened with forced marriage face increased vulnerability given their significant legal limitations which often restrict their access to services as well as their ability to leave home and seek help and protection. Marriage officiants who encounter forced marriage, child marriage, and human trafficking during their work can play an important role in connecting individuals at risk to the services and support they need to seek safety.

Authors: Avanda Adhia et al.

Publication: January, 2020

This report, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, examines the availability of civil protection orders to minors in dating relationships across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The authors find that while 48 states allow minors to obtain CPOs, only 14 states explicitly allow them to file for a protection order on their own behalf. Read more.

Authors: Michele Zaman and Alissa Koski

Publication: March 3, 2020

Researchers systematically reviewed existing academic literature and news media to learn what is known about the frequency of child marriage in Canada, and its effects on health. A review of population data showed that approximately 1% of all Canadian teens aged 15-19 were married or in a common law union in 2016. Read more.

Author: Tahirih Justice Center

Publication: January, 2020

Updated: May, 2020

Making Progress, But Still Falling Short outlines what more needs to be done to end child marriage in America both at the state and federal level. It contains the latest analysis on all twenty-five states that have recently enacted laws to end or limit child marriage, calling out features that make them strong or weak.

The report serves as a complement to our Child Marriage in the U.S.: Survivor Story Compilation that was released in January 2020, in which 20 survivor voices are featured to provide a window into the many ways that children can be forced and coerced into marriage in modern-day America.

This report was updated to reflect legislative changes made prior to May 13, 2020. Any versions dated January, 2020 will be out of date.

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.