Authors: Prof. Aisha K. Gill, Prof. Pamela Cox, Ms. Ruth Weir
Publication: April 2017

This report was written for the Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner in the UK in order to help improve understanding of specialist support needs for survivors of forced marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting FGM/C, and honor-based violence/abuse. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with survivors of forced marriage and honor-based abuse as well as multi-agency practitioners working with survivors in the UK. Main findings include: the need for increased training and specialized services to address dynamics unique to honor based violence, forced marriage, and FGM/C; suggestions on how to improve cross-agency collaboration; and insight on the significant barriers and risks victims face which contribute to underreporting. Using first person reflections from survivors who engaged with services, the research identifies approaches that contribute supportive responses for survivors. The research also provides recommendations for improving local responses to forced marriage, honor-based violence, and FGM/C.

Author: Tahirih Justice Center

Publication: March 06, 2017

Tahirih submitted this written testimony to the Connecticut General Assembly in support of HB 5442, a bill to eliminate exceptions to age 18 as the minimum legal age to marry. On March 6, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Judiciary held a public hearing on HB 5442, which is sponsored by Representatives Michelle Cook and Josh Elliott.

Author: Tahirih Justice Center

Publication: February 13th, 2017

Forced and child marriage in Texas is a serious problem with a simple, first-step solution — ensuring that only legal adults empowered to advocate for themselves can enter the legal contract and potentially lifelong commitment that marriage entails. SB 1705 / HB 3932 is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that sets the legal minimum marriage age at 18, with an exception for minors emancipated by court order. Read our backgrounder to learn more about the child marriage problem in Texas, how the current laws fail to prioritize child protection, and how this bill addresses the problem.

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.

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.