Many Americans believe “Child Marriage only happens in other countries.” Not so!! Child marriage is legal and practiced in 44 out of the 50 U.S. states. Only Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and New York have passed legislation to end Child Marriage, known as  “No Child Marriage under 18, No Exceptions" laws. Each year in the United States, children are forced and coerced into marriages. An estimated 300,000 children as young as 12 were married between 2000 and 2018 in the US.

The American Medical Association has called for an end to Child Marriage stating “Child marriage is associated with higher rates of sexually transmitted infections, early pregnancies, divorce, and intimate partner violence when compared to women married at age 21 or older.” In addition, child marriage adversely affects the victim’s health, education, and employment opportunities.

Child Marriage is defined as a human rights abuse by the Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, UNICEF, and the Department of State. We must protect our own children in the United States.

In addition, to end the legal the statutory rape of minors, we must end Child Marriage. We ask you to support our campaign by completing this form to advocate for “No Child Marriage under 18, No Exceptions” laws.