Publications
Criminal Laws Addressing Forced Marriage in the United States
Author: Tahirih Justice Center
Original Publication: July 2013
Updated: September 2022
This document provides an overview of state criminal codes that address forced marriage in the United States, including those of California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as Washington DC and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It also provides information on Massachusetts, Michigan, and Minnesota’s laws addressing abduction for the purpose of marriage.
Remedies for Forced Marriage – A Handbook for Lawyers
Author: Interights – The International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights
Publication: 1st Edition 2011, 2nd Edition 2014
This Handbook brings together expert commentaries by lawyers and activists working on the issue of forced marriages and interference with choice in marriage in four different countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The Handbook is intended to assist those seeking legal remedies in such cases, and in particular to prevent forced marriages, and protect those affected. While aimed primarily at lawyers, we hope that it will also be useful for voluntary sector workers, social workers and women’s rights advocates and activists seeking to identify available legal remedies.
Heartbeats – The Izzat Project
Author: Pomegranate Tree Group
Publication: 2012 (1st Edition); 2014 (2nd Edition)
This graphic novel tells the stories of South Asian women from a diversity of cultural and religious backgrounds who encounter resistance from their families for how women choose to live their lives. The stories address challenges of expectations women face when they move away from home, choose partners of their own, come to terms with their sexuality and discuss sexual abuse, and find their own understanding of spirituality and religious beliefs.
Strengthening Efforts to Prevent and Eliminate Child, Early, and Forced Marriage: Challenges, Achievements, Best Practices and Implementation
Author: Council on Foreign Relations
Publication Date: September 25th, 2013
This article outlines the reasoning behind and the goals of resolution A/HRC/24/L.34, requesting a report to guide a panel discussion at the twenty-sixth session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, on the challenges, achievements, best practices, and implementation gaps for preventing and eliminating child marriage.
Core Elements of Legislation on Forced and Child Marriage
Authors: Cheryl Thomas, Rosalyn Park, Mary Ellingen, Mary C. Ellison, Beatriz Menanteau, & Laura Young
Publication: The Advocates for Human Rights (May 2011)
This document outlines the necessary core elements for any type of legislation addressing violence against women and girls, with a section devoted to legislation related to forced and child marriage.
