California is one of the most free and open states in the United States. People are free to have their own opinions, and many movements like Pride thrive in this coastal state. Although it seems so open, California hides dark secrets like the innumerable amount of abusive child marriages. You have to be 18 to get divorced, but there is no age minimum for marriage. In 2021, there were just under 8,000 child marriages solely in the state of California. Some young girls are forced into marriage as young as ten years old. 

Any intercourse that happens with a minor (under 18) is statutory rape. This is because minors cannot give consent until they are of age. Sadly, this does not apply in a marriage. It is perfectly legal for an adult to have intercourse with a child if they are married, and since divorce is not legal until 18, the victim cannot escape the marriage. Unfortunately, many abusers take advantage of this and bring young girls into forced marriages. They often pay the child’s family for consent and stop the victim’s education entirely. Sometimes, to prevent the child from fighting back, their mouths are taped shut and their wrists put into hand-cuffs.

Often, these tragic issues happen when the family is in strict evangelical churches and cults. Generally, extreme religious ways force children into these marriages against their will. They are coaxed into thinking that it is their destiny to do it and that they are betraying their church if they don’t follow through with it. Countless young girls are forced into this legal loophole for pedophiles and sexual abusers. This is extremely traumatic for them and has to stop.

The UN has called child marriages “human rights violations.” The United States has gone around accusing numerous other countries of human rights criminals. However, this is terribly hypocritical since over 46 states allow marriage between the ages of 16 and 18 with parental consent in the US, and 15 states allow children under the age of 16 to get married.

Survivors feel not enough is being done about the situation. In fact, a group of them called Unchained have come together in their wedding dresses and veils with tape over their mouths and handcuffs right on the capitol steps. Luckily, they are not the only ones fighting for their cause. Representative Cottie Petrie-Norris representing California has fought hard and long for these girls who did nothing wrong. “I am committed to ending this human rights abuse in California,” states Petrie-Norris. Later this year, a bill to end marriages under the age of eighteen will be proposed to legislation.