UltraViolet Action on New Hampshire’s HB 433, a dangerous loophole in state marriage law

UltraViolet Action on New Hampshire’s HB 433, a dangerous loophole in state marriage law

Statement from Elisa Batista, Campaign Director focused on survivor justice at UltraViolet Action, the nation’s largest online feminist organization, on the introduction of HB 433, which would make an exception for certain 17-year-olds to marry:

Dear New Hampshire House of Representatives Children and Family Law Committee,

I respectfully submit our organization’s opposition to HB 433, which would lower the marriage age to 17 if either party is active duty military. We are a national advocacy for women and girls with 1,000 members in New Hampshire. 

On a personal note, I am originally from New Hampshire with my parents, siblings, and extended family still residing in Derry and Londonderry. I am also a military mom who allowed her son to join the Army National Guard at 17.

And I am vehemently opposed to allowing anyone under the age of 18 to marry, considering teenagers’ limited legal capacity, and unlike military service, marriage is a lifelong legal contract. Our current laws make it nearly impossible for 17-year-olds–even in the military–to live independently such as rent an apartment without a credit history or even share a drink with their spouse –thus making these underaged children completely dependent on their legal-aged spouse.

Based on my work as an advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence–is that loopholes for underaged children to marry usually put girls at risk for abuse and lifelong trauma. I have heard from many women who were coerced as teenagers to marry adult men and then could not leave the relationship–even to a domestic violence shelter–because they were underaged and legally under the protection of their husbands. 

Not only do these girls not have full legal capacity to leave, they most certainly don’t have the money to undo these marital contracts. Any abuse and trauma they suffer is not just an individual’s problem but has a ripple effect on their future relationships, families, and entire communities.

Our children deserve better than to be married off at 17! Please vote NO on HB 433, and do not hesitate to contact me with any comments or questions.

All my best, 

Elisa Batista, Campaign Director