X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

11-year-old, pregnant, and forced to marry her rapist

31 May, 2017

Sherry Johnson from Florida, shares her story of how at the young age of 11, she was forced to marry her rapist.

Her parents decided she will marry her rapist

How would you feel if you were 11 years old, playing with your toys, and suddenly your parents came up to you and told you that you will be getting married?

You’ll feel confused right? Now, what if the person that you’ll be marrying is someone who also raped you?

That’s exactly what happened to Sherry Johnson back when she was just a child. She shared that she was raped by a 20-year-old member of their church when she was just 11, and she had gotten pregnant as a result. Child welfare authorities started an investigation, and to avoid a long and complicated criminal case, her parents decided that she will just have to marry her rapist.

She shares, “My mom asked me if I wanted to get married, and I said, ‘I don’t know, what is marriage, how do I act like a wife?’ She said, ‘Well, I guess you’re just going to get married.'”

Her marriage also prevented her from going to school, since she had to take care of her children; she ended up giving birth to 9 children, and she constantly fought with her husband over money. “It was a terrible life,” she shared.

And unsurprisingly, her marriage failed, just like with most child marriages.

Every 7 seconds, a girl gets married before the age of 15

In the United States, there are some states, such as Florida, and New Jersey, that still allow child marriages as long as there is consent from the parents. The sad part is that until today, no laws that ban child marriage has been enacted.

Around the world, child marriages are still happening. Even if there are countries who don’t allow children under the age of 18 to get married, a lot of child marriages occur under the radar. This is especially true for some countries who follow traditional religious customs that allow children to get married.

Worldwide, a girl gets married before the age of 15 every 7 seconds. Children should not be subjected to that kind of responsibility at such a young age. Children should be playing with their friends, running around, going to school, and doing all the things that children should do.

Partner Stories
Next-Gen Ford Everest: 6 Reasons Why This Is Your Family's Next Dream Car!
Next-Gen Ford Everest: 6 Reasons Why This Is Your Family's Next Dream Car!
Gut Health and Probiotic Survival Rate
Gut Health and Probiotic Survival Rate
Evelyn Ng, P&G high ranking executive, shares her story as a career woman and a working mom
Evelyn Ng, P&G high ranking executive, shares her story as a career woman and a working mom
Creating an Absolute-ly Merry Christmas
Creating an Absolute-ly Merry Christmas

If you wish to support the ban on child marriage around the world, kindly visit girlsnotbrides.org to learn about how you can help.

Source: nytimes.com

READ: Mom shares heartbreaking video of how her husband sexually abused her daughter

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jan Alwyn Batara

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Lifestyle Section
  • /
  • 11-year-old, pregnant, and forced to marry her rapist
Share:
  • REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

    REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

  • 2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

    2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

  • 6 Filipina authors of children’s books and their award-winning works

    6 Filipina authors of children’s books and their award-winning works

  • REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

    REAL STORIES: "My dyslexic husband graduated after almost twenty years"

  • 2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

    2-days monthly menstrual leave filed by women’s party-list in the House

  • 6 Filipina authors of children’s books and their award-winning works

    6 Filipina authors of children’s books and their award-winning works

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at lifestyle update.