Tag : Child Marriage

Protection Versus Rights: Age of Marriage Versus Age of Sexual Consent

Authors: Suzanne Petroni, Madhumita Das, & Susan M Sawyer

Publication: December 5, 2018

As many governments worldwide have raised the legal age of marriage to 18 years, some are also considering raising the age of sexual consent. Without close-in-age exemptions, arguments to align the legal age of sexual consent with that of marriage would restrict the ability of adolescents to legally have sex. The authors find that, because the consideration to marry and to have sex are very different, the minimum ages need not be aligned.

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The Lived Experience of Child Marriage in the United States

Authors: Aditi Wahi, Kristen L. Zaleski, Jacob Lampe, Patricia Bevan, & Alissa Koski

Publication: February 12, 2019

Researchers interviewed Americans who were married under age 18, investigating the reasons behind their child marriages, and the experiences face by participants as a result of marrying underage. Most participants reported experiencing abuse related to their marriage, including physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse. Read more.

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Developing Innovative, Best Practice Solutions to Address Forced Marriage in Australia

Author: Laura Vidal
Publication: December 2017

In this report to the Churchill Trust, Laura Vidal showcases learning on the treatment of forced marriage from Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, Denmark, the United States, Canada, and Kenya. From her observations of how the practice is addressed in these countries, Vidal distills a list of best practices and makes recommendations for how Australia can better respond to child, early, and forced marriage.

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Testimony in Support of HB 5442 to End Child Marriage in Connecticut

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.

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Understanding State Statutes on Minimum Marriage Age and Exceptions

Author: Tahirih Justice Center

Publication: November 18, 2016

Updated: July 1, 2019

This chart, which was developed by the Tahirih Justice Center with pro bono assistance from Hogan Lovells US LLP, serves as a resource for understanding the state legal regimes that permit child marriages to happen in the United States. It is an eye-opening compilation of all 50 states’ laws on minimum marriage age and exceptions that among other things, highlights how many states set which age “floors” for marriages. Originally published in 2016, it has been updated to reflect reforms passed through July 1, 2019.

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