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September 2016
PBS NewsHour Two Part Series on Forced Marriage – Night 2
Tahirih's Forced Marriage Initiative will be featured on a 2-part PBS NewsHour special shedding light on the issue of forced marriage in the United States.
Find out more »November 2016
National Webinar – Who’s Speaking Up, or Falling Silent? Reflections From Advocates and Helplines on the Impact of Forced Marriage Criminalization in the U.K.
The United Kingdom and the United States share a domestic human rights problem — every year, thousands of individuals living within their borders are at risk of being forced into marriages they do not want, by families that use coercive tactics that can include severe emotional abuse as well as physical abuse or threats. But the governments’ responses in the two countries look very different. The U.S. is just beginning to recognize the problem, and to consider enacting laws to…
Find out more »October 2017
Training for Montgomery County DHHS
Forced Marriage in the United States Forced marriage is a significant, yet hidden, problem. Victims often face physical and psychological abuse, rape and denial of education and opportunity. A 2011 Tahirih Justice Center survey identified 3,000 cases over two years. Presenting complex risks including multiple perpetrators and victims, travel overseas, and extreme isolation and control, minors face significant legal limitations preventing them from accessing services, leaving home, or seeking protection orders. This training will equip service providers with an understanding…
Find out more »June 2018
Girls Not Brides Global Meeting
In June 2018, Girls Not Brides will convene the largest ever meeting of advocates committed to ending child marriage around the globe. The Global Meeting is a unique opportunity to connect, learn, be inspired, and achieve the common goal of allowing every girl, everywhere, to fulfill her potential.
We are thrilled that Casey Carter Swegman, Program Manager for Tahirih's Forced Marriage Initiative, has been sponsored to attend this year’s meeting and will represent Tahirih’s pioneering work to end child marriage in the U.S. and strengthen protections for those at risk.
Find out more »September 2019
Opening Our Doors to Survivors of Forced Marriage
Attending NCADV's 2019 Conference on Domestic Violence? The Tahirih Justice Center and Futures Without Violence invite you to attend Opening Our Doors to Survivors of Forced Marriage, an intensive pre-conference session on Forced Marriage in the United States. The session will take place on September 16, from 10am to 12pm in Washington, DC. For more information and to register now, click here.
Find out more »December 2019
Webinar: Spotting the Signs of Forced Marriage – Tips for Hotline Advocates
Forced marriage is a significant, yet hidden, problem in the United States that impacts individuals of every socio-economic 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. Minors…
Find out more »April 2020
Webinar: Spotting Signs of Forced & Child Marriage & Human Trafficking – The Role of Marriage Officiants in the U.S.
Marriage officiants may confront forced marriage, child marriage or human trafficking in the course of their routine business. This free, one-hour webinar will help you recognize red flags and provide guidance so you are prepared with an appropriate response. Forced and child marriage are significant, yet hidden, problems in the United States that impact women and girls from every socio-economic status, ethnic and religious background. Victims often face physical and psychological abuse, rape, denial of education and opportunity and minors…
Find out more »POSTPONED Webinar: Physical and Mental Health Impacts of Forced & Child Marriage in the United States
This webinar has been postponed to allow FMI staff to shift focus onto mission-critical work in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new date and time will be posted when possible. This webinar, co-presented by Tahirih Justice Center and Arab American Family Services, will provide an overview of the nature and scope of child and forced marriage in the United States and go in depth on the short and long term physical and mental health impacts on survivors. The goal…
Find out more »June 2020
POSTPONED Webinar: International Safety Planning – Supporting Survivors Facing Imminent Travel and Transnational Abandonment
This webinar has been postponed to allow FMI staff to shift focus onto mission-critical work in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new date and time will be posted when possible. Individuals at risk and survivors of forced marriage face significant safety risks including the threat of being taken, and in some cases abandoned, overseas. Providing effective advocacy in such cases requires advanced and creative risk assessment, safety planning, long term emotional support and coordination with agencies not often involved…
Find out more »July 2020
Webinar: Forced & Child Marriage in Refugee Communities – Balancing Mandates & Supporting Individuals at Risk
Forced and child marriage are significant problems in the United States, impacting individuals from diverse backgrounds and presenting unique challenges for refugee resettlement agencies and other service providers. The reasons for forced and child marriage are complex and varied – families may view marriage as a way to prevent children from becoming “too Westernized,” protect familial reputation or honor, ensure economic security, or help extended family to immigrate. Whatever the rationale, victims often face severe and sustained harm including emotional…
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