who gives this child away to be married?
Child marriage is legal in 40 U.S. states with parental or judicial consent. Many parents, driven by tradition or difficult circumstances, unknowingly contribute to a system that can lead to tragic consequences, including child trafficking and severe abuse.
The Solution is Clear: To raise the marriage age to 18 in all 50 states, requiring proof of age and residence, with no exceptions. Join the movement to create a brighter future for our nation's vulnerable children.
*Button will take you to the Community Foundation of Henderson County’s donation page. Please select Who Gives This Child FUND from the dropdown selection.
help us protect our children
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Legal Advocacy
Our team is actively engaging with legislature, pleading to raise the legal age of marriage to 18 with no exceptions, requiring proof of both age and local residency.
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Survivor Community
We reach out to child marriage and trafficking survivors for interviews to learn more about the lived experience of child victims. The voice and story of a survivor is our most powerful advocate.
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Educational Media
Through compelling educational documentaries, interviews and research, we raise awareness about the harsh realities of child marriage and trafficking, sparking conversations that drive positive change.
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Awareness Campaigns
Driving impact through social awareness campaigns, we engage the masses to dismantle the root causes of child marriage and trafficking, saving countless lives.
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Across the U.S, only 10 states have banned child marriage with no exceptions, leaving 40 open doors for legally protected child trafficking and abuse.
~ ChildUSA
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The worldwide total number of child marriages is about 765 million. The growing number of child victims is perpetuated by poverty, religious traditions, and societal crises like the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
~ ChildUSA
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Child marriage triggers severe adverse effects for its victims, including child trafficking, violent abuse, serious health issues and lifelong trauma. There is no excuse to expose our nation’s children to these dangers.
~ Unicef
3 COMMON LIES ABOUT CHILD MARRIAGE
How Does Child Marriage Perpetuate Child Trafficking?
Early marriage is form of child trafficking. When a child is married against their will and subjected to forced labor, sexual exploitation, or servitude, this is human trafficking.
Here are a few examples of how this could play out in a child marriage:
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Due to the lack of reporting and consistency in laws surrounding child marriage in our nation, older individuals from illegal counties can travel to a legal city or state to marry a child against their will. This means that our fight will not be over until every state has banned child marriage with no exceptions.
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When an adult marries a child, they circumvent the laws of statutory rape. With a predator as a caretaker, a child below the age of 18 will face extreme difficulty receiving professional aid in cases of domestic violence and abuse.
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Early marriage often disrupts a child’s education, limiting their access to information, resources, and opportunities. This lack of education keeps a child trapped in exploitation and robs them of their future.
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Child brides may be subject to forced labor within their marital homes or in other contexts. They may be coerced into labor and denied their basic rights, effectively making them victims of trafficking.
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In an early marriage where a child is unable to seek healthcare, the major risks associated with early pregnancy, domestic violence, and abuse can quickly become fatal.
What can you do about it?
Call on your state elected officials to take action to end child marriage!
Download this letter to send to your elected officials.
You can join the Who Gives This Child? email list to get involved and stay up to date with recent activities and developments.
Talk to your friends and family about ending child marriage and encourage them to join us in taking action.
Support Who Gives This Child?
*Button will take you to the Community Foundation of Henderson County’s donation page. Please select Who Gives This Child FUND from the dropdown selection.
Our Organization
Who Gives this Child? was formed in 2020 in Asheville, NC. Application for 501(c)(3) status has been filed. WGTC currently has a fund with Henderson County Community Foundation to receive tax deductible contributions to assist with this charitable work.
Our Founder
Sandra Grace is a survivor of Child Marriage. Today Sandra is focused on advocating for child protection laws and the overall protection of all children and women.
Are you a survivor?
Connect with us to share your story; we want your voice to be heard. Help us give a voice of courage and strength to those still struggling through the challenges of child marriage.
About Sandra
Sandra Grace is a passionate advocate for female empowerment and the eradication of child marriage worldwide. Through her foundation, Who Gives This Child?, Sandra is working to raise awareness about the devastating impact of child marriage, and promoting societal change in attitudes towards this silent crime. Her deep commitment to social justice and protecting children's rights drives her mission to change legislation and policy at the local, state, and federal levels that put children at risk of early marriage and other forms of exploitation.
As a survivor of child marriage, Sandra understands firsthand the trauma and abuse that victims of this practice endure. At the age of fourteen, Sandra was sold by her mother, forced into marriage and faced unspeakable abuse and hardship. Through sheer determination and strength, she liberated herself from her abusive situation and created a successful life for herself and her son.
Through her resiliency and self-dedication, developed through a life of hardship, Sandra was empowered to create her educational program, You Own Your Today. This program empowers women to build self-esteem and rebuild their lives, while also inspiring everyday people to become agents of change for those at risk. Her vision, courage and living testament to the power of social justice serves as an inspiration to us all, and continues to have a lasting impact on the lives of women and children around the world.