Uploaded April 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Many people think of child marriage as something that only happens in developing countries or among certain religious groups. However, there are loopholes in the law that make child marriage legal in almost every state across America. It’s a shocking fact, and it’s one that is difficult for many people to comprehend.
Sherry Johnson is a survivor of child marriage. At age 11, she was forced to marry her rapist, who was also the deacon of her Florida church. By age 27, Sherry had given birth to 9 children. Today, decades later, she has dedicated her life to ensuring that no child will be forced to enter marriage before they reach adulthood. Through her advocacy work, she is committed to changing child marriage laws in America and across the globe. Check out Sherry’s 2018 TEDMED Talk to learn why she believes that sharing her story, and encouraging others to speak out as well, is a critical part of changing laws and protecting children from child marriage.
Many people think of child marriage as something that only happens in developing countries or among certain religious groups. However, there are loopholes in the law that make child marriage legal in almost every state across America. It’s a shocking fact, and it’s one that is difficult for many people to comprehend.
Sherry Johnson is a survivor of child marriage. At age 11, she was forced to marry her rapist, who was also the deacon of her Florida church. By age 27, Sherry had given birth to 9 children. Today, decades later, she has dedicated her life to ensuring that no child will be forced to enter marriage before they reach adulthood. Through her advocacy work, she is committed to changing child marriage laws in America and across the globe. Check out Sherry’s 2018 TEDMED Talk to learn why she believes that sharing her story, and encouraging others to speak out as well, is a critical part of changing laws and protecting children from child marriage.
