Author: Tahirih Justice Center

Publication: January, 2017

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: 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.

This webinar, originally presented as part of the Forced Marriage Initiative’s Quarterly Webinar Series, provides an overview of the current body of research highlighting the ways in which forced marriage intersects with child abuse, sexual assault and rape, domestic and family violence, stalking, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and human trafficking. It discusses effective intervention strategies and best practice and prepares advocates to recognize and respond to forced marriage alongside other forms of harm.

This webinar was first presented as part of the Forced Marriage Initiative’s Quarterly Webinar Series on March 25th, 2016.

This webinar features Rebecca Musser, survivor and founder of the Claim Red Foundation and a highly sought after speaker and author of the book “The Witness Wore Red”, a personal account of her struggle to escape a forced marriage within the FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’) and her journey as a key witness in the trials which sought to bring FLDS leaders to justice. During this webinar, Rebecca explores how miseducation, misinformation, and psychological grooming can affect a person’s ability to give valid consent and what we can do to educate and empower individuals.

This webinar was first presented as part of the Forced Marriage Initiative’s Quarterly Webinar Series on June 26th, 2016.