As of June 6, it is now illegal for anyone under 18 to get married in Washington, making it the 11th state in the country to ban child marriages. This new law is a significant step forward in protecting young individuals from the harmful effects of early marriage.
As of June 6, House Bill 1455 is now in effect. The bill was passed by the Legislature during this session and was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee back in March.
Before the implementation of the new legislation, Washington was among the five states that had no minimum age requirement for marriage. In these states, even young children can legally marry with the consent of a judge, and 17-year-olds only need the permission of their parents.
During this year’s legislative session in Olympia, survivors of forced child marriage delivered powerful testimony during the bill’s debate. Their passion and conviction were palpable as they shared their personal experiences.
She recounted her harrowing experience, “On my wedding night, as a 12-year-old bride, I was raped. It is alarming that child marriages still exist in America.”
When Sara Tasneem was only 15 years old, she went to spend the summer with her father who, to her horror, forced her into marrying a 28-year-old man. Despite being a survivor, she had to endure this traumatic experience at a very young age.
In her own words, she shares, “I experienced being taken out of the country, raped and impregnated.”
During her testimony, Tasneem informed the lawmakers that her abuser had brought her back into the country half a year later.
“After enduring seven grueling years of abuse, I finally managed to break free from my abuser. However, it took an additional three years to finalize my divorce. The journey was not an easy one, but I am grateful to have come out the other side. ”
Unchained at Last, an advocacy group working to end all child marriage, received testimony from Fraidy Reiss in favor of the bill.
According to Reiss, a staggering 70 to 80 percent of child marriages result in divorce, leaving the young individuals homeless and vulnerable. He also pointed out that child marriage can serve as an incentive for parents to get rid of their child support obligations. By marrying off their child, the parent can effectively emancipate them. This practice is deeply concerning and highlights the urgent need for action to protect children from such harmful situations.