This webinar introduces the issue of forced marriage in the United States.

Participants learn about the unique dynamics of forced marriage cases, including the involvement of multiple perpetrators, how forced marriage affects people across all communities and backgrounds, and its intersection with other forms of abuse such as child abuse, FGM/C, stalking, and human trafficking.

The session also highlights key safety considerations, best practices, and practical resources for advocates supporting individuals at risk of or experiencing forced marriage.

The Child Marriage Prevention Act is groundbreaking federal legislation and represents the first concerted effort by the U.S. Congress to condemn and prevent child marriage domestically. During the webinar, Tahirih’s Director of Public Policy was joined by survivor advocates and staff from the offices of Senator Durbin and Representative Gwen Moore.

From Jeffrey Epstein to the recent and horrifying case of intergenerational child marriage and child abuse in Ohio, forced and child marriage is having insidious impacts across this country every day. Speakers provided an overview of the scope and devastating impact of child marriage in the United States today, how the Child Marriage Prevention Act would address these harms, and how you can get involved in the campaign to pass this bill into law. The Child Marriage Prevention Act was introduced on July 17th by Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI), Senator Dick Durbin (IL) and U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (HI) and Kirsten Gillibrand (NY).

With funding from the Office on Violence Against Women, this advanced webinar focuses on the issue of forced marriage among youth and the related challenges those at risk may face. It is designed to help professionals working with young people recognize warning signs, understand how these issues present, and improve their approaches to prevention, intervention, and support.

This session will be co-facilitated by an advocate survivor of child-marriage and FMI staff.

To view the webinar in Spanish | Para ver el webinario en español: https://youtu.be/cHfj5NzXEL4?si=ygtvWWC3w7cdiIDz

With funding from the Office on Violence Against Women, this webinar will expand on the foundational knowledge of forced and child marriage in the U.S., examining the heightened risks of multiple experiences of discrimination, and the added challenges individuals face when seeking assistance.

In many cases, individuals impacted by forced marriage go unnoticed when they seek assistance from victim service providers. Understanding the dynamics of power and control that they experience is crucial, as the tactics used by perpetrators to coerce someone into marriage or keep them in an unwanted marriage often mirror those seen in cases of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how forced marriage intersects with various forms of abuse and will learn more effective strategies for prevention and support.

With funding from the Office on Violence Against Women, Tahirih presents a webinar series on forced marriage in the United States. This is a recording from Part 1 of that series.

This webinar provides participates with foundational knowledge of forced marriage as a form of gender-based violence and the abusive tactics often utilized to force an individual to comply with marriage demands.