Author: Tahirih Justice Center

This resource, created by the Tahirih Justice Center’s Forced Marriage Initiative, provides advice and guidance for those facing travel overseas where a forced marriage is possible. Individuals are strongly advised to avoid leaving the United States if a forced marriage is possible or imminent as it is extremely challenging to get help overseas. This tip sheet and the accompanying safety planning worksheet will assist those working with individuals at risk of forced marriage to plan in order avoid or prepare for travel overseas.

Author: Casey Swegman, Forced Marriage Initiative – Tahirih Justice Center

Publication: 2016

This paper provides information and research on forced marriage in the United States and its intersections with child abuse, sexual assault and rape, domestic and family violence, stalking, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and human trafficking. The research demonstrates that forced marriage is a serious but neglected problem in this country, and despite many advocates’ best efforts, survivors of forced marriage and those at risk continue to fall through the cracks of the systems and programs set up to protect individuals from abuse.

Author: Aisha K. Gill, PhD;  Heather Harvey

Publication: 2016

A study by the University of Roehampton and The Nia Project has found that there is a learned gender-based discrimination between British Asian youths. The findings suggest that girls are more likely to be compliant to forced marriage, while boys are more inclined to fight against such parental or familial wishes. The study’s recommendations are that forced marriage initiatives bare in mind this gendered difference when approaching the subject.

Author: Judith McFarlane, DrPH, RN; Angeles Nava, PhD; Heidi Gilroy, PhD; and John Maddoux, PhD

Publication: 2016

Researchers from Texas Women’s University conducted a 7-year study on 244 mothers who had reported intimate partner violence in the U.S. They based their survey questions on the 2011 Forced Marriage Initiative study, and found that 17% of respondents faced a forced marriage attempt, and among those respondents, 45% experienced the threat as a minor.

Author: Tahirih Justice Center
Publication: 2011
This two page summary of the 2011 Tahirih Justice Center survey on forced marriage in the United States provides an overview of the nature and scope of forced marriage in the U.S. Key findings illustrate that forced marriage is a serious problem in the United States with as many as 3000 cases of forced marriage identified over a two year period and service providers in 47 states having encountered cases.