Lessons Learned from Exploratory Research on Forced Marriage in the United States

• In Event: Less Explored Victims of Crime

Abstract

A growing body of research has begun to pull back the veil on the issue of forced marriage, which occurs when individuals do not feel they have a choice around whether, to whom, or when they get married, and feel they cannot express what they want without negative consequences. Prior research indicates that although forced marriage impacts both men and women, women are disproportionately affected. Studies also suggest that forced marriage is strongly correlated with intimate partner violence and sexual assault. However, relative to the international community, few strides have been made towards investigating the nature and scope of forced marriage in the United States.

This presentation focuses on findings from a study conducted by the Urban Institute, in partnership with the Tahirih Justice Center, funded by the National Institute of Justice. Our exploratory study is aimed at identifying the connections among forced marriage, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault. Responding to a void in the literature, our research examines risk factors and norms associated with—as well as victim, service provider, and criminal justice system responses to—forced marriage in the U.S. Findings from surveys and in-depth interviews with survivors and key stakeholders are discussed.

Authors

• Hanna Marie Love, The Urban Institute

• Sino Esthappan, The Urban Institute

• Janine M. Zweig, Urban Institute