11-year-old girl 'forced to marry her rapist' from church in Florida

[n2doc]

Sherry Johnson says she was raped four times by age 10

Emily Shugermln, New York

A woman from Florida has claimed she was forced to marry her rapist at age 11.

Sherry Johnson says she was raped four times by members of her family’s church congregation as a child. As a result, she became pregnant at age 10.

When investigators began looking into her case, she claims her family tried to protect her rapist by forcing her to marry him.

“My mom asked me if I wanted to get married, and I said, ‘I don’t know, what is marriage, how do I act like a wife?’” Ms Johnson told The New York Times. “She said, ‘Well, I guess you’re just going to get married.’”

Florida is one of 27 US states that permits children of any age to be married with their parents’ permission.

more
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/11-year-old-girl-forced-to-marry-rapist-florida-church-child-marraige-a7761816.html

The USA is not a first world country.

[Wounded Bear]

1. I'd sure like to think we could drag some of these assholes out of the 17th Century...

[Bradical79]

2. 27 States?!

What the fuck!

[Blue_true]

11. Yeah. Sick. I can't imagine a real man wanting a female who is that young. nt

[Orrex]

47. They want property that's that young

[Nay]

50. Are you kidding? There are millions of them out there, now and in the past.

Mostly they go to Thailand to indulge themselves (if they can afford it), but they will take it any way they can get it, often molesting young family members, their students, their parishioners' children, etc.

[lapislzi]

52. Does the name Warren Jeffs mean anything to you? n/t

[Blue_true]

53. He is the extreme LDS guy.

Yes, he is into young girls. And he is a very sick man.

Why would any adult want to have a sexual relationship with a child? The knowledge and emotional disparity is both enormous and detrimental to the child.

A person like Jeffs should be tied to a tree and beaten with a whip every time he even looks at a female younger than 18. And even if he engaged females of 18 and 19, that would be gross also, because at that age a person has little life experience and even less command of their sexuality and identity.

[lpbk2713]

3. The article says it was OK with Chris Cristie.

No surprise there.

[oberliner]

30. No it doesn't

That is just a lie.

[Warren DeMontague]

34. Christie just vetoed a law that would have prevented this.

It's telling that he's also the guy who supports sending adults to prison for smoking a joint in the privacy of their own homes.

He's more tolerant of adults marrying children than catching an unauthorized buzz.

[oberliner]

38. That's a lie

First, this took place in the 1970s in Florida.

Second, in NJ a law was proposed that would make it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to get married under any circumstance. This would've made NJ the only state in the US with such a law. Christie proposed instead making 16 the minimum age to get married with 16 and 17 year olds who wish to get married having to get permission from parents and a dispensation from a judge.

Christie's proposal would've make it illegal for anyone under 16 to get married in NJ under any circumstance.

The person in the story in the OP was 11.

[Warren DeMontague]

44. You know what? Christie is way more interested in arresting pot users than stopping child marriage.

That's a fucking fact. He seems blithely nonchalant about the latter, whereas he's been on a nonstop shitfit over the former.

What is the law in NJ currently? Is there even one? Is there any age limit at all? Did he only just now realize there's a problem? Christie's the Governor, he should be aware of it, right?

His staff is apparently aware of statements neighboring political figures make about him so they know which bridges to shut down.

He obviously didn't push this to the legislature, they brought it to him. (hence the veto, right?)

I tell you what, he's been treating any suggestion that New Jersey NOT fill prison cells with cannabis users, like a five alarm legislative fire. How come he's never brought up the legality of adults marrying minors in New Jersey in all that time? I mean, maybe if someone said that an adult might marry an 11 year old in Trenton and THEN go smoke a joint, he might be roused from his donut box long enough to waggle his swollen fingers angrily that they belong in jail.

And all across the country during his wildly unpopular presidential primary run he whined and wheezed about pot legalization. Numerous times. He knows adults can smoke pot legally in several states, and it bothers the crap out of him. Did he ever mention the states where adults can marry 13 year olds? Even once?


Priorities, I guess.

[leftynyc]

56. None of that changes the fact

you were mistaken/lied about what he supports when it comes to age of consent. Couldn't you just admit you were wrong and move on without trying to deflect?

[Warren DeMontague]

65. No, I didn't lie, nor was I mistaken.

There is not one single point in my above posts that is EITHER mistaken NOR is it a "lie".

He vetoed a law outlawing child marriage, that's a fucking fact. He's positively obsessed, simply beside himself with angst, over the news that consenting adults in some places in this country can legally consume cannabis in the privacy of their own homes. Another fact. He didn't seem particularly bothered by ANY adult-minor marriage until the NJ legislature brought it to his desk. Another fact.

Why are we tripping all over ourselves to defend Chris Christie on Democratic Underground, hmmmmm?

The guy's been on a multi-year tear against legal pot smoking, and this is the first I've heard from him about adults legally being able to marry children.

Why can't you address that point?

[leftynyc]

75. Because pot smoking isn't

what this story is about. It's what you wish to deflect it to and I'm not defending Christie - I'm trying to keep you honest and not succeeding. You accused him of being willing to support adults marrying children - like the 11 year old child in this story and that's a lie.

[Warren DeMontague]

76. Where did i say that.

Which post.

[leftynyc]

77. The one that included this gem

He's more tolerant of adults marrying children than catching an unauthorized buzz.

Your implication (and don't bother with the bullshit that wasn't what you meant) that he WOULD support this 11 year old marrying an adult. He clearly doesn't. I'm done with this bullshit. You screwed up, just admit it and move on. Or don't. Whatever.

[Warren DeMontague]

78. No, I didn't. What is the law in New Jersey currently?

How many times has Chris Christie brought up adult-child marriage in the past few years as a problem to be corrected? Versus, how many times has he scowled and whined about legal weed?

Even with his veto statement- and again, the legislature raised the issue, not him- he's still saying it should be fine for a 70 yr. old man to marry a 16 year old girl.

Whereas he also thinks that same 70 year old man should face arrest and prison for smoking a joint.

Do you agree with him? Do you think a 70 year old man eating a pot brownie is a bigger criminal than one who trolls high schools for dates?

[kcr]

36. Why did he vetoe a law overturning allowing children to marry then?

Care to explain why you think he did so and why you think that's a lie?

[oberliner]

39. The bill proposed making 18 the minimum age for marriage in NJ

The bill proposed making 18 the minimum age for marriage in NJ (which would make it the only state in the US with such a high minimum age).

Christie suggested making 16 the minimum age for marriage and also requiring a judge to approve any marriage license for someone who is 16 or 17.

[Warren DeMontague]

45. Fuck Chris Christie.

[stevenleser]

57. And the reason he wanted that was? Don't you think outlawing child marriage is a good thing?

Under age 18 and you are a child. There is no reason to allow people under 18 to marry.

[oberliner]

61. Every state in the US allows 16 and 17 year olds to marry with parental permission

Do you not think that is reasonable?

[stevenleser]

62. No, I don't. I think that should be done away with as soon as possible

A 16 or 17 year old does not have the maturity to make a life-long decision. Even in the case of a pregnancy, adding a marital relationship to the problems of rearing a child for someone who is not mature enough to be in that kind of a relationship is not going to help the situation.

[oberliner]

64. Good points

Thanks for sharing your insights.

[Warren DeMontague]

66. I think it's less reasonable than letting consenting adults smoke pot in their own homes, honestly

and it's telling as to which one Chris Christie has been dedicating his energy in a crusade against, and which one he until recently totally ignored.

[oberliner]

67. Agreed

Christie is definitely inconsistent.

[Warren DeMontague]

69. If a 70 year old man wants to marry a 16 year old girl, Chris Christie is apparently okay with that.

if that same 70 year old man wants to eat a pot brownie to ease his arthritis pain, Christie wants to put him in prison.

[FBaggins]

81. Aren't all Democratic governors okay with that?

By your interpretation above... they must be.

[Warren DeMontague]

83. Not many of them have spent the past several years having a tantrum over pot legalization.

The hypocrisy is a bit much.

And it says something for the man's priorities that he's been treating the threat of consenting adults smoking pot without fear of draconian prison sentences like a five alarm fire, while this is the first time he's addressed child-adult marriage, though this veto.

To wit, no one seems to want to answer my questions, namely, what is the law in New Jersey currently, and why hasn't Christie taken any time out of his bridge-closing and pissing-n-moaning-over-pot-legalization activities, to consider it until now?

And wtf is up with all the Chris Christie love on DU, anyway?

[get the red out]

85. No

They are still considered kids by law in every other way, so it is totally inconsistent.

[oberliner]

87. They are legally allowed to get one another pregnant

For what that is worth (assuming they are both 16-17).

I believe in NJ they can also legally get an abortion at age 16-17.

[get the red out]

88. That isn't marriage

Marriage is a contract.

[oberliner]

89. Good point

Do you think there should be a uniform law making 18 the legal age for marriage in every state?

[get the red out]

90. Yes

Across the board, no exception for the minority of religious sects that promote virtual ownership of women and girls, and use child marriage as part of their male "purchasing power".

[virtualobserver]

4. they are just following the bible

the punishment for raping a young girl who is not betrothed is marriage to her

[fleabiscuit]

72. Yup.

And most of the threads are dealing with states "legal age" laws and such. Like sick members of such Christian cults would even bother or worry about state laws and proper reporting and paperwork. Essentially girls are being kidnapped. American Isil homegrown.

[virtualobserver]

74. yes......rape is no big deal from their mindset, perfectly ok.....unless the girl is engaged....

...then the rapist is put to death.....it makes it very clear what the "crime" was ......it was stealing a man's property.

If you create a religion with the right beliefs, you can get away with anything.

[ProudLib72]

5. Yep, that was the Christian thing to do

Marriage means he never raped her.

[TexasProgresive]

6. Without consent there is no marriage

A child of 11 cannot consent. So she was condemned to a lifetime of rape.

[Doreen]

7. So what these fuckers are saying is that ownership of a female

of any age is legal? That is EXACTLY what it is. SLAVERY and nothing else. Well, unless you count sex trafficking. So, all of these men believe in abuse of any kind of females of any age. Unless we get trump and his hoodlums out this is going to get very much worse for females. Fucking dripping pieces of shit!!!

[Solly Mack]

8. I'd like to take her rapists, her family, and the entire congregation out and beat the living

Last edited Mon May 29, 2017, 07:10 PM - Edit history (1)

shit out of them. Along with those who promoted the law and keep it on the books.

But that would be wrong, so I'll check my impulses and do what is right. I can rant but I can't act. I can be angry but I can't attack another because I am angry.

But it's legal to force a child to marry her rapist.



https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/opinion/sunday/it-was-forced-on-me-child-marriage-in-the-us.html?_r=0

ETA: http://family.findlaw.com/marriage/state-by-state-marriage-age-of-consent-laws.html

Florida The age of consent is eighteen. With parental consent, parties can marry at age sixteen and ****parties under the age of sixteen can receive a license by reason of pregnancy**** or the birth of a child. However, this parental consent is not required if the minor has already been married. Common law marriage is not recognized.

[NightWatcher]

9. Yay religion!

[GulfCoast66]

10. Not quite calling BS, but we need more information

In Florida the only way you can be married earlier than 16 is if the couple have a child or is pregnant to the prospective groom.

But it takes the permission of a stage official to let that happen. I do not for one second believe that in any county in Florida today a pregnant 10 year old girl could show up at the courthouse with an adult male and get a marriage license.

In fact, that government official would be violating a felony if he or she did not immediately call the police and report a rape.

The article make it clear that the woman had 9 more children and then the marriage dissolved, so did I just miss what year this was? If we are talking 1952 or even 72 I just might be willing to buy it. Maybe. And they may well have waited till the girl was of a more acceptable age like say, 16 before getting married.

Now I am certainly not defending the plight women of all ages often face, especially those raised in cult like religious homes. But this story does not pass the straight face test. Many parts of Florida are very backward, but even in those backward areas people know what to do with men who impregnate 10 year old girls.

Have a nice evening.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

14. Here's some more information.

Last edited Mon May 29, 2017, 10:19 PM - Edit history (1)

The Independent article was based on a Nicholas Kristof column here: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/opinion/sunday/it-was-forced-on-me-child-marriage-in-the-us.html?_r=0

When she was a scrawny 11-year-old, Sherry Johnson found out one day that she was about to be married to a 20-year-old member of her church who had raped her.

“It was forced on me,” she recalls. She had become pregnant, she says, and child welfare authorities were investigating — so her family and church officials decided the simplest way to avoid a messy criminal case was to organize a wedding.

“My mom asked me if I wanted to get married, and I said, ‘I don’t know, what is marriage, how do I act like a wife?’” Johnson remembers today, many years later. “She said, ‘Well, I guess you’re just going to get married.’”

So she was. A government clerk in Tampa, Fla., refused to marry an 11-year-old, even though this was legal in the state, so the wedding party went to nearby Pinellas County, where the clerk issued a marriage license. The license (which I’ve examined) lists her birth date, so officials were aware of her age.

[GulfCoast66]

21. Is that clerk of court still serving?

And when did this happen? Since you have seen the license you know. If it has been in the recent past I want to contact officials in the county. I have some associates in Hillsborough County that might have enough pull to have an impact.

Have a nice evening.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

24. I have not seen the license.

The text is all quoted from a column by Nicholas Kristof; formatting has been turned off. Kristof says he has seen the license. I'm sure he'd be interested in hearing from you.

[oberliner]

31. This happened 40 years ago

In the 1970s.

[GulfCoast66]

33. Thank you. Shocking it has happened at all in my lifetime, however...

A clerk who issued a marriage license to an 11 year old with child to a man of age would be charged with a felony today for failure to report rape.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

40. Your faith in the system is breathtaking.

[retread]

58. Could not happen in a state under control of Repugs for the last 20 years?? n/t

[WhiskeyGrinder]

15. You can learn even more by doing some research on the Unchained at Last website:

http://www.unchainedatlast.org/

[treestar]

48. It is surprising

A lot of states fail to have a floor. Probably overlooked more than anything.

Fundie wingnuts could take advantage - the parental consent may not prevent the marriage as it should but actually be the beginning of the idea!

[GeoWilliam750]

17. Indeed, something odd about the article

"A 2011 study found that some 9.4m US women were married before age 16. The study also found that such women were more likely to have psychiatric disorders, and to seek out health services."

That would be nearly 10% of the population. A Pew study would seem to contradict the above statement, with 5 of 1000 women getting married at ages 15-17. One would expect that the 15 would be the fewest. Also, many states specifically prohibit marriage before the age of 16.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/11/01/child-marriage-is-rare-in-the-u-s-though-this-varies-by-state/

Typically, The Independent is a decent newspaper, and I would be very interested to see a link to the study they show above.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

25. The 9.4 million comes from Tahirih, extrapolated from an article in Pediatrics.

The research from Tahirih is here:
http://www.tahirih.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Tahirih-Child-Marriage-Backgrounder.pdf

It estimates that of the women who are married now, 9.4 million of them got married before age 16. Not 9.4 million every year. The survey from Pew found that 5 out of every 1,000 women who got married in 2016 were ages 15-17. That's why the numbers don't match up; they're measuring different things.

All of these articles observe that while there are many laws against child marriages, it's easy to get around them in almost every jurisdiction through different processes.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

18. What does this even mean?

"The article make it clear that the woman had 9 more children and then the marriage dissolved, so did I just miss what year this was? If we are talking 1952 or even 72 I just might be willing to buy it. Maybe. And they may well have waited till the girl was of a more acceptable age like say, 16 before getting married.... Many parts of Florida are very backward, but even in those backward areas people know what to do with men who impregnate 10 year old girls."

It seems that you are saying that because it's 2017 men don't rape or impregnate girls anymore, and that if they do, the community they live in "knows what to do with them"?

[GulfCoast66]

19. It means what I stated

If this happened anytime in the last several years, then we all need to collectively contact the clerk of court that approved it as well as law enforcement in that county. One another response to my post it was stated that the license was issued in Pinellas county but did not list the issue date.

I was reluctant to even respond to this OP because too often requesting clarification of the facts is taken to mean disagreeing with the overall point of the article.

My concern is that if in the last 20 years we have clerks of court licensing marriages to 10, 11 or 12 year old that are pregnant or already have children then I personally want to start writing letters and calling my representatives. As well as calling the Sheriff in that county.

I totally support laws making marriage only available to legal adults. And realize at the end of the day that has little to do with the tremendous amount of sexual exploitation of children.

So maybe I am naïve, but the idea that since 2000, or even 1980, we have court officials knowingly issuing marriage licenses to girls that young girls who have been raped would shock me. That said, I am regularly shocked.


Have a nice evening.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

23. Did you look at the website I posted?

From Unchained at Last, unchainedatlast.org:

***
In many states, judicial approval lowers the marriage age below 16, and many states do not specify a minimum age below which a judge may not approve a child marriage. Typically, states allow judges to approve marriages for couples whose ages or age differences should trigger a statutory-rape charge, not a marriage license.
***

It also has a "take action" page that can direct you in the most effective ways to contact your legislators and help introduce laws against child marriage.

"So maybe I am naïve, but the idea that since 2000, or even 1980, we have court officials knowingly issuing marriage licenses to girls that young girls who have been raped would shock me. That said, I am regularly shocked."

I'm not sure why you still doubt that this happens after all the information provided in this thread, but the world is a big place and there is a lot I don't understand.

[GulfCoast66]

26. Yes I did

Listen, I am totally in agreement with your goals.

But I notice you still did not list the dates. Nor apparently the originator of this article.

I am a skeptic, even about narratives on my side, and I doubt that this happen within the last 30 years. But do not let my skepticism about this article make you doubt that I support your goal.

You have my word that I will send a letter to my state representative asking that the marriage laws be changed.

Have a nice evening.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

28. I guess I don't understand why the first-person experience of a grown woman who has gone through

and gotten free of child marriage, combined with statistics and research that show her experience is being repeated as you and I interact, makes you skeptical. What is there to be skeptical about?

[GulfCoast66]

32. I never stated I doubted the story.

And the statistics speak for themselves.

I was pretty clear that my skepticism is based only on the idea that 10 or 11 year old girls are being issued marriage licenses today or in the recent past. Especially to men of age who have raped them.

Do I think it has happened. Or course, especially if it was a person of color before the 80s. Could it be happening now, perhaps. But that is what I am skeptical about...That children that young are currently being given legal permission in Florida to marry men who have raped them. Under current Florida law the issuing of a marriage license would not eliminate the rape charge if a man molested an 11 year old.

And I again restate, just because I find the narrative presented happened in the recent past less than credible, I still support changing marriage laws and will contact my Florida state representative to tell them so.

We just seem to be going round and round here.

Have a nice evening.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

43. Just so I'm clear, you are skeptical that this woman's experience could be repeated today.

Even though current laws are set up in such a way to facilitate the marriage of pregnant underage girls.

It's just that your interest in when the OP's example happened, and confidence that because it happened in the last century it probably wouldn't happen today, is exactly why it keeps happening.

When you write your legislator, be sure to assure them of your confidence. They'll jump right into changing that law, I'm sure.

[kcr]

37. Google is great

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/opinion/sunday/it-was-forced-on-me-child-marriage-in-the-us.html?_r=0

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/crime/florida-mania/os-ap-married-in-middle-school-florida-girl-a-bride-at-13-20170204-story.html

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/11/01/child-marriage-is-rare-in-the-u-s-though-this-varies-by-state/

From the last link: A handful of states allow minors to marry if one partner is pregnant or has recently given birth. For example, in Florida, judges may issue licenses without an age minimum if one of the parties to the marriage is pregnant.


That's just for starters.

[gatorb812]

49. I will call BS on this

Florida has very open public record laws. All marriage licenses issued in Pinellas County since 1941 are available to anyone to view online. https://public.co.pinellas.fl.us/officialrec/officialrec/DMDAInput.jsp

There is no Sherry Johnson that was married at age 11. There is only 1 Sherry Johnson married in Pinellas County, and she was 36.

[Initech]

51. I checked Snopes I didn't see anything.

Now I'm curious as to whether this story has any credibility or not. Someone might want to report this to them.

[kcr]

54. ....

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/opinion/sunday/it-was-forced-on-me-child-marriage-in-the-us.html?_r=0

[Hortensis]

63. Check first/then react? How...smart! Welcome to DU, Gatorb812.

Something could be fudged, but agree this story is highly suspicious as told. How old is this woman now?

Initech, we can always keep an eye out for any Snopes' response. They almost always lag of course while they, you know, CHECK the story?

[rzemanfl]

70. Welcome to DU-

741.0405 When marriage license may be issued to persons under 18 years

(1)If either of the parties shall be under the age of 18 years but at least 16 years of age, the county court judge or clerk of the circuit court shall issue a license for the marriage of such party only if there is first presented and filed with him or her the written consent of the parents or guardian of such minor to such marriage, acknowledged before some officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments and administer oaths. However, the license shall be issued without parental consent when both parents of such minor are deceased at the time of making application or when such minor has been married previously.
(2)The county court judge of any county in the state may, in the exercise of his or her discretion, issue a license to marry to any male or female under the age of 18 years, upon application of both parties sworn under oath that they are the parents of a child.
(3)When the fact of pregnancy is verified by the written statement of a licensed physician, the county court judge of any county in the state may, in his or her discretion, issue a license to marry:
(a)To any male or female under the age of 18 years upon application of both parties sworn under oath that they are the expectant parents of a child; or
(b)To any female under the age of 18 years and male over the age of 18 years upon the female's application sworn under oath that she is an expectant parent.
(4)No license to marry shall be granted to any person under the age of 16 years, with or without the consent of the parents, except as provided in subsections (2) and (3).

Florida Statutes - Title XLIII: Domestic Relations - Chapter 741: Marriage; Domestic Violence
History.?s. 2, ch. 78-266; s. 1058, ch. 97-102.

[luvMIdog]

12. I wanna throw up. Really

[TEB]

13. I'd go reception to give them a gift

A baseball bat for the groom and the child brides parents Fucking pedophiles.

[mcar]

16. This is revolting

That poor child.

[Initech]

20. Shit like that is why we can't have nice things.

That girl deserves better. This is so fucked up.

[sarcasmo]

22. Florida, no shocker.

[Lotusflower70]

27. Seriously?

Wtf! That's absolutely disgusting.

[oberliner]

29. This happened 40 years ago

Just FYI.

[Solly Mack]

35. Florida Law on Marriage for those under 18

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0741/Sections/0741.0405.html

741.0405?When marriage license may be issued to persons under 18 years.—
(1)?If either of the parties shall be under the age of 18 years but at least 16 years of age, the county court judge or clerk of the circuit court shall issue a license for the marriage of such party only if there is first presented and filed with him or her the written consent of the parents or guardian of such minor to such marriage, acknowledged before some officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments and administer oaths. However, the license shall be issued without parental consent when both parents of such minor are deceased at the time of making application or when such minor has been married previously.

(2)?The county court judge of any county in the state may, in the exercise of his or her discretion, issue a license to marry to any male or female under the age of 18 years, upon application of both parties sworn under oath that they are the parents of a child.

*****(3)?When the fact of pregnancy is verified by the written statement of a licensed physician, the county court judge of any county in the state may, in his or her discretion, issue a license to marry:

(a)?To any male or female under the age of 18 years upon application of both parties sworn under oath that they are the expectant parents of a child; or

!!!!!(b)?To any female under the age of 18 years and male over the age of 18 years upon the female’s application sworn under oath that she is an expectant parent.!!!!!!*****


(4)?No license to marry shall be granted to any person under the age of 16 years, with or without the consent of the parents, except as provided in subsections (2) and (3).
History.—s. 2, ch. 78-266; s. 1058, ch. 97-102.


So, yes - even today - in Florida (and not just Florida) children under 18 (with no minimum age applied) can be married if the girl is pregnant.

And, yes, even today, if a family is sick enough to allow their child to be raped and try to cover it up, then they could also force the child into marriage. The idea that all 10/11/12/13/14/ etc. years old will fight their parents is delusional. Abused children are all too often too afraid to speak out. Young girls under the control of an older man are in no position to fight back on their own.

Section 3 - part B clearly states an underage female can marry an adult male if the underage female is pregnant. Section 4 bears this out. No ML under the age of 16 UNLESS the female is pregnant, then there is NO minimum age for marriage.

That's an exception that is ripe for abuse.

Yeah, it's 2017. Yeah, you might want to think this couldn't happen now.

I want to believe in Hogwarts, myself.

[retread]

59. There you go again with those pesky facts! Thanks!

[Solly Mack]

73. No problem. In 2014 a Florida House member tried to change the exception and it passed the House

but died in committee in the Senate. No movement since.

Florida is not the only state that has no minimum age when exceptions apply.

The proposed law in Florida? It was brought about because of Johnson's story.

**********"You may say, 'this does not happen nowadays,' but in 2012 we had a 13-year-old groom in the state of Florida," Stafford told the committee.

"I have a hard time wrapping my head around that," said Stafford, an attorney, after the hearing. "Here we have a 13-year-old still going through puberty, who now is a husband because, apparently, he made a baby. I just don't think that should be the policy of this state."

In 2013, Florida recorded 110 marriages of children 16 and younger, and 150 such marriages in 2012, said McKinley Lewis, a statistics bureau spokesman, in an email. The bureau by Tuesday evening was unable to break down which of those were 15 and younger, Lewis said.


Motivating Stafford was a 1972 case out of Pinellas County, she said. Sherry Johnson, now of Tallahassee, was raped at 10, pregnant and married by 11.

Johnson's mother gave consent for her daughter "to marry the 20-year-old who raped her," Stafford said.************



I did bother to research the story. I saw what the law was in the state of Florida and I saw the laws of other states. It's sickening that those states allow a child to marry because she is pregnant and doesn't think to investigate the how and why of it. They don't care. I know people want to disbelieve something so abhorrent but not wanting to believe does not change anything. It doesn't help...at all.

[obamanut2012]

41. I had no idea my state was one fo those states

I just emailed my FLREP's office, and will be calling her today during my break.

[obamanut2012]

42. For those poo-pooing thsi was 40 years ago -- so what?

It's a law still on the books, and if you don't think there isn't a wingnut clerk of court in Floribama* who would okay this, you are wrong.


*Floribama is the wingnut, mainly very, very rural part of FL, esp the areas close to Alabama.

[kcr]

55. Exactly. The fact that they still can't change the law means it doesn't matter.

As if the 1970s is ancient times. A lot has changed, but there are still young girls being subjected to horrendous abuse, as my links elsewhere in this thread show.

[obamanut2012]

84. Exactly, and in this country

People move to certain states for that.

And, that idiot Duck Dynasty guy married a little girl, and preaches in his talks that's what men should do.

And, 51-year-old actor Dough Hutchinson married Courtney Stodden when she was sixteen, but started wooing her -- with her parents' okay -- way before that. Which is just one reason why I think the law should be 18 for marriage. You can get emancipated younger than that for certain things if need be, but not marriage. Sorry.

[Horse with no Name]

46. This is PRECISELY why we cannot expect states

To uphold civil rights. It shouldn't depend on your zip code as to whether you are a person or piece of property.

[Calculating]

60. Is this more 'fake news' garbage?

Somehow I just don't believe this.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

68. What, exactly, don't you believe?

[Ilsa]

71. This is an example of christian terrorism,

I'm sad to say. This is every bit as bad as islamic law requiring victims to marry their rapists, etc.

[HopeAgain]

79. And just like most Muslims aren't terrorists...

Most Christians aren't either. But attacking all Christians is free game on here...

[Ilsa]

80. Exactly. It's sad when so many

Christians and muslims follow the tenets of their faith, at least as far as helping the poir, feeding the hungry, comforting the distressed, etc. My church works hard at helping others, and it distresses me that another christian faith treats women so backwardly, and the state allows it.

[get the red out]

86. If someone rapes a child for religious reasons

that is ok because, CHURCH! And yes, marriage ceremony or not, with a child it is fucking RAPE! But here in the US, "religious rights" ALWAYS matter more than silly human rights do.

Her parents were evil. So what if it was 40 years ago, I was 12 then and I knew no kids with parents who would have done this back then. Our parents would have been angry and disgusted if they even knew anyone who put their child in a situation to be raped repeatedly. Even my grandmothers were grown women when they got married in the 1930's!

[itcfish]

91. Wow and They Were

Not Muslims. If they were Muslims it would be all over the media.