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Even though our State Department calls child marriage a “human rights abuse” internationally, it’s perfectly legal right here the United States with just...
Even though our State Department calls child marriage a “human rights abuse” internationally, it’s perfectly legal right here the United States with just the consent of a parent or guardian. Chloe was just 15 when she got pregnant.  Her boyfriend was 22. She says he convinced her to marry so he could avoid statutory rape charges. But as Chloe soon learned, the minor in a marriage is stripped of legal rights. They lose the ability to retain an attorney or seek help in domestic violence shelter. Statistics from “Unchained At Last” reveal child brides account for 86% of the marriages— girls married to older men. And many of those marriages end in divorce, leaving the brides without much education and more likely to be poor. As our investigation reveals, the lifelong impact of marriage before 18 can be devastating. Chloe managed to get out of her marriage after two years, filing for divorce at 18. Her message to anyone thinking they should get married before adulthood? Wait. A lot changes between the time you’re 15 or 16 and when you turn 18. If you still want to get married, great. But if you don’t, you’ve saved yourself a lot of legal and emotional trauma. Hope you will watch. Guarantee you will learn something. One of our most important stories this year. With @30rocksundevil. @topstorynbc | Vicky Nguyen