Only adults can get married in Virginia, according to a new law
replacing policies that made it possible for a girl 13 or younger to
marry if she had parental consent and was pregnant.
The law,
which took effect Friday, sets the minimum marriage age at 18, or 16 if a
child is emancipated by court order. It takes parents and pregnancy out
of the equation.
The change is aimed at curbing forced marriage,
human trafficking and statutory rape disguised as marriage. Activists
say the previous law created a “fast-track to child marriages” for
abusers who could evade investigation by child-welfare officials by
simply marrying their victims.
Nearly 4,500 children under age 18 were married in Virginia from 2004 to 2013, according to data from the state’s Department of Health. That includes more than 200 children age 15 or younger.
Why 13-year-olds can no longer marry in Virginia - The Washington Post
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