California bans child marriage, becoming the first US state to end the practice
The new law, which takes effect on January 1, ends a practice that remains legal under certain circumstances in 32 US states.
California has officially banned child marriage after Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation requiring people to be at least 18 years old to marry in the state.
The new law, which takes effect on January 1, ends a practice that remains legal under certain circumstances in 32 US states.
Newsom described the measure as a “long overdue” step to protect young Californians and minors. He signed the legislation alongside Courtney Stodden, who was 16 when her parents allowed her to marry 50-year-old actor Doug Hutchison in 2011.
Stodden, who has since become an advocate for ending child marriage, welcomed the legislation as a “victory” and said survivors should never have been expected to carry the burden of such experiences.
She also vowed to continue campaigning for similar protections across the country, saying she would “keep fighting until children are protected from marriage in all 50 states.”
Stodden’s marriage to Hutchison attracted international attention and led to appearances on several US reality television programmes, including VH1’s Couples Therapy.
Other survivors and advocates of child marriage also welcomed California’s new law.