Kentucky Advocates Push Stricter Laws to End Minors Marriage Loopholes

Advocates in Kentucky are calling for stronger measures to end child marriage, highlighting ongoing violations of the 2018 law that set restrictions on the minimum age and age gaps for marriage with parental consent. Despite the law, data reveals that minors, including some as young as 16, have been married to significantly older adults, with examples such as a 17-year-old marrying a 27- or 29-year-old, violating the current statutes. The R.I.S.E. Kentucky Coalition, led by Donna Simmons and supported by lawmakers including Senator Julie Raque Adams, is pushing for legislative reforms to raise the legal marriage age to 18 and to ensure enforcement of existing laws, emphasizing the link between child marriage and increased risks of exploitation, abuse, depression, and suicide. Advocates criticize the inconsistent application of the law by officials and the lack of accountability, calling for new laws and better oversight to protect vulnerable minors from forced and predatory marriages. The coalition's efforts underscore the need for a unified voice to reform Kentucky’s marriage laws to protect children and survivors from ongoing harm and exploitation. This movement reflects broader concerns about children's rights and protection from abuse within legal and social frameworks.