UltraViolet Action Celebrates California State Assembly’s Passage of Child Marriage Ban

For Immediate Release: August 26, 2026
Contact: media@fwdshift.com

Survivor Justice Organization Calls on Newsom to Immediately Sign Bill Into Law, Commends Advocates Who Championed Bill

UltraViolet Action, a leading national women-led gender-justice organization responsible for numerous impactful victories against sexual predators like Harvey Weinstein, R Kelly, and Bill O’Reilly, released the following statement in response to the California State Assembly’s passage of AB 1267, effectively raising the minimum marriage age to 18 without exception:

“Survivors are powerful and have once again changed our political reality with their bravery. Now, it’s up to Gov. Newsom to do the right thing and send a clear message that child abuse has no place in California,” said Elisa Batista, campaign director at UltraViolet Action. “And to the remaining 32 states where child marriage remains legal, may this serve as a wake-up call for them to ensure that every child is kept safe from predators and allowed to have a childhood.”

For years, local advocates and survivors alike decried the dangers of child marriage, which can force underage girls into predatory and even abusive relationships. In California, an estimated 35,000 marriages involving minors occurred between 2000 and 2021. Overwhelmingly, these marriages, which under current law only require a court order and written consent from a parent or guardian, were between an underage girl and an adult man.

“As we celebrate this monumental victory for child safety in California, it’s important to remember the courageous child marriage survivors, like activists Sara Tasneem and Courtney Stodden, who stepped forward to share their personal stories of abuse, as well as the women and girls who weren’t able to share theirs,” continued Batista. “This win also belongs to the many local and national organizations who have been at the helm of the fight against this form of child abuse, including Global Hope 365, Unchained At Last, and the Tahirih Justice Center.”

The bill —passed today overwhelmingly by the State Assembly after receiving similar support in the state Senate earlier in the week—would see California become the 18th state to prohibit the issuance of marriage licenses to those underage without exception. It now awaits final approval from Gov. Gavin Newsom, with the new minimum marriage age taking effect January 1, 2027.

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UltraViolet Action works directly to mobilize constituents and lawmakers and is a 501(c)(4) organization working to change sexist policies, practices, and beliefs.