Three men arrested for allegedly forcing teens to marry each other

Three men reportedly coerced two teenagers into marrying each other for cultural reasons.

The men, whose identities have not been disclosed, appeared in Australia’s Perth Magistrates Court on Friday, facing charges of causing a person to enter into a forced marriage under aggravating circumstances.

Australian Federal Police officers allege that the teenagers, one aged between 13 and 15 years old and the other aged 17, expressed a desire to date each other, but their families insisted they must be married for
for cultural reasons.

The three men are said to have organized the marriage ceremonies at a religious venue in Alexander Heights, located in northeasts northeast of Perth, last year.

Police mentioned that two of the men involved in the incident are relatives of the teenagers, one to the boy and the other to the girl.

This is the first instance where AFP officers have pressed charges against individuals in Western Australia for arranging a forced marriage.

The men have been granted bail and are scheduled to appear in court again next month.

AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Chwal explained that a forced marriage occurs when an individual is compelled to marry without full and free consent, typically due to coercion, threat, or deception.

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He further added that forced marriage could also occur when the individual is incapable of comprehending the nature and implications of a marriage ceremony due to reasons such as age or mental capacity.

“The legal age for marriage in Australia is 18, with a provision for individuals aged 16 to 18 to obtain court permission to marry, provided the spouse is an adult,” he explained.

Superintendent Chwal emphasized that forced marriage is a complex crime often involving family members as both victims and perpetrators, with the AFP prioritizing the safety and well-being of victims.

“The AFP’s primary objective is to prevent and disrupt this crime by raising awareness about Australian laws, recognizing the signs of forced marriage, and offering assistance to victims,” he stated.

“If victims are hesitant to approach the police directly, there are numerous support services and organizations available to ensure their safety,” he added.

He highlighted that forced marriage transcends cultural, religious, and ethnic boundaries and can affect individuals of any age, gender, or sexual orientation.

Forced marriage has been outlawed in Australia since 2013, encompassing legally recognized marriages, cultural or religious ceremonies, marriages conducted in Australia, or instances where individuals are taken abroad for marriage purposes.

The definition also extends to the actions of those involved in facilitating the forced marriage.

Superintendent Chwal outlined common indicators of forced marriage, such as a family history of elder siblings marrying early or dropping out of education prematurely, and individuals being tightly controlled by family or community members both at home and outside, including surveillance. These individuals often have limited or no control over finances, life decisions, education, or career choices.

He also mentioned that they might face restrictions or monitoring of their communications and display apprehension about upcoming family trips.

Additionally, individuals may express concerns about the consequences of not going through with an agreed marriage or engagement, or exhibit signs of physical or psychological abuse.