This analysis finds that gaps in state marriage laws are failing to protect minors from being forced or coerced into marriages where they may face violence and sexual assault.
Related Resources
Exploratory Research into the Intersection of Forced Marriage, Intimate Partner Violence, and Sexual Violence, 2017
By Dank M, Love H, Esthappan S, & Zweig J
This exploratory study aimed to broaden the literature on forced marriage and examine it in the United States context. The study focused on the nature and scope of forced marriage in the context of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, as well as the adequacy of service provider and criminal and civil justice system stakeholder responses to forced marriage.
Honoring Our Heartbeats: The IZZAT Project
Heartbeats: The IZZAT Project is a comic book and expressive arts project using illustration, writing and theatre to explore and share community stories about resilience in the face of violence and to challenge how “izzat” or “honour” has been used to rationalize violence against women. Heartbeats was created by a group of young South Asian women from Pomegranate Tree Group, a community-based organization committed to healing justice, with support from Tahirih Justice Center.
Forced Marriage in Immigrant Communities in the United States: 2011 National Survey Results, 2014
By Tahirih Justice Center
The results of a national survey to learn about the experiences of service providers encountering forced marriage cases, including agencies’ capacity to serve and identify survivors, services provided, and tactics used to coerce or keep survivors in a forced marriage.
Forced Marriage Fact Sheet, 2015
By Tahirih Justice Center
What is forced marriage? How is forced marriage different than arranged marriage? These and other common questions are answered.
Voices From the Frontline: Addressing Forced Marriage Within the United States, 2013
This study presents findings from a multi-method research study on forced marriage, the forms of abuse resulting from forced marriage, and the experiences and recommendations of frontline respondents, scholars, activists, and survivors for improving responses.
Falling Through the Cracks: How Laws Allow Child Marriage to Happen in Today’s America, 2017
By Tahirih Justice Center
A comprehensive analysis of provisions in all 50 state and Washington, D.C. that leave children more vulnerable to forced and early marriage. The report intends to provide state lawmakers and advocates in the U.S. with the information they need to pass laws that more effectively protect children from the harms of child marriage.
by Anjali Tsui, Dan Nolan and Chris Amico
Frontline
July 2017