Virginia Joins Dozen States In Banning Child Marriage: A Step Towards Protecting Minors

In a significant move towards safeguarding the rights of minors, Virginia has become the twelfth state to ban child marriage. This landmark decision was made official when Governor Glenn Youngkin signed House Bill 994 into law, establishing 18 as the legal marrying age in the state. The legislation not only raises the minimum age for marriage but also removes the ability for minors to be declared emancipated solely based on the intent to marry. By closing this loophole, Virginia aims to prevent instances where young individuals, particularly those aged 16 and 17, could be subjected to legal trafficking under the guise of marriage.

This decisive action comes at a time when advocates are calling for comprehensive reforms across the nation. According to Fraidy Reiss, the founder of Unchained At Last, “We are now 12 states down, only 38 to go in the push to end child marriage in the United States and eliminate a human rights abuse that destroys girls' lives.” The organization is actively working with allies to ensure that other states follow Virginia's lead, particularly where similar legislation is pending.

Unchained At Last has reported alarming statistics, revealing that over 7,876 minors in Virginia have entered into marriage between 2000 and 2021, some as young as 12. A staggering 80% of these marriages involved girls paired with adult men, raising serious concerns about consent and exploitation. Casey Carter Swegman from the Tahirih Justice Center emphasized that this legislation is a monumental step for children in the Commonwealth, ensuring that they no longer have to live in fear of forced marriages.

As Virginia embarks on this new chapter, the state looks to solidify its leadership in the national movement to end child marriage, setting an example for others to follow. The legislation will officially take effect on July 1, marking a new era of protection for minors against the dangers of early and forced marriages.

• Virginia is now one of twelve states that have banned child marriage.
• The legal marrying age in Virginia is now set at 18.
• The new law eliminates the possibility for minors to be emancipated for the purpose of marriage.
• Advocates are pushing for similar changes in other states, with 38 remaining to achieve a nationwide ban.