Unchained At Last for End Child Marriage
Did you know that the age of consent for marriage is 14 years old for females and 16 years old for males in the USVI? Thank you to the Women's Coalition of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, Unchained At Last, National Association of Social Workers, and VI Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Council for speaking up in support of Bill No. 33-0109. The bill will put an end to Child Marriage in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ms. Clema Lewis (Women’s Coalition of St. Croix) stated, “This is an issue in our community and we shouldn’t pretend it’s not.” This legislation provides an objective rather than a subjective standard of maturity, which safeguards minors from being married when they are not mentally, financially, or physically ready. In addition, the bill closes the loopholes which provided a coverup for forced marriages, parental coercion, sex trafficking, immigration abuse, and teen pregnancy.
Bill No. 33-0109, sponsored by Senator Javan E. James, which will amend the Virgin Islands Code by prohibiting the issuance of Marriage License to persons under the age of 18.
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