Challenges in Recognizing, Naming, and Disclosing “Forced Marriage”

• In Event: Exploratory Research into the Intersection of Forced Marriage, Intimate Partner Violence, and Sexual Violence

Abstract

In recent years, the issue of forced marriage – which occurs when one or both parties do not consent to a marriage – has received growing attention in the United States and abroad. Research has found connections between forced marriage, intimate partner violence, and other crimes, such as sexual assault and rape. The Urban Institute, in collaboration with the Tahirih Justice Center, is conducting a National Institute of Justice-funded exploratory study to examine forced marriage in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. We will discuss the many unique barriers individuals who have experienced or been threatened with forced marriage face in recognizing and disclosing their experiences.

Author

• Hanna Marie Love, Urban Institute