THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN ARE MARRIED IN THE USA EACH YEAR Consequences of Early Marriage

Early end to education

Lower wages, poverty

Increased risk of domestic violence, including rape

Higher divorce rates

Higher risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases

Early, frequent and higher risk pregnancies
Girls under 15 are five times more likely to die in childbirth
Children born of child brides are 60% more likely to die in the first year of life

Source: Unchained at Last Devastating Consequences

DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES

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No Way Out

Children have limited access to resources due to age.

    • Limited divorce rights
    • Limited ability to file a protective order
    • Limited ability to go to a domestic violence shelter

Children in the U.S. typically are not allowed to initiate a legal proceeding in their own name. This means, in many states, children can be entered into marriages, typically by a parent or guardian, with little or no say from them – and then they are not allowed to file for divorce or annulment in their own name or even to seek a protective order.

Forced Marriage is Serious Issue- “CONSENT”

How to know if there is true consent

When a marriage is “arranged” and the bride and groom get the option to say no, they might face intense pressure from their families and society, or they might be too young and inexperienced to make such a life-altering decision. They might be rushed to give an answer before they can fully think through their options. They might be bribed or tricked. They might be grappling with implicit and/or explicit threats about the harms that will befall them and their families if they do not agree to a marriage. They might be subjected to actual violence: locked up, beaten or shunned until they say yes. More…

“If you are under age 18 and need to get out of an abusive marriage, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7 for referrals to agencies in your area that can help – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat through this link.”

Child brides face huge challenges
because they are married as children.

“Isolated and with limited freedom, married girls often feel disempowered. They are deprived of their fundamental rights to health, education and safety.

Child brides are neither physically nor emotionally ready to become wives and mothers. They face more risks of experiencing dangerous complications in pregnancy and childbirth, contracting HIV/AIDS and suffering domestic violence. With little access to education and economic opportunities, they and their families are more likely to live in poverty.”

– Girls Not Brides

You see the problem…

Now become part of the solution.

Take Action to End Child Marriage