July 26th 2024.
Three men have been accused of playing a role in arranging a marriage between two teenagers in Western Australia. According to the Australian Federal Police, the teenagers - one who is between 13 and 15 years old and the other who is 17 - wanted to date each other, but were told by their families that it was not allowed due to cultural beliefs. They were informed that the only way they could be together was if they got married.
The three men, two of whom are related to the boy and one to the girl, have been charged with forcing someone into a marriage. This charge carries a maximum sentence of nine years in prison. The alleged incident took place last year when the men supposedly facilitated a religious wedding ceremony for the teenagers.
The case has been postponed until August. The act of forced marriage can occur in a variety of situations. This includes when a person is married without their free and full consent, or when they are pressured, threatened, or deceived into marriage. The AFP also states that it can happen when the person getting married does not fully understand the implications of the marriage.
This is the first time that the AFP has pressed charges for forced marriage in Western Australia. The practice of forced marriage was made illegal in Australia in 2013. This means that anyone found guilty of forcing someone into marriage can face serious consequences. It is important to recognize that marriage should be a choice made by both parties, and not something forced upon them.
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