Ongoing Developments

Home

Our Work

What's New

Advocacy Tools

International Law

Expert's Corner

Make A Donation

The VAW Monitor

Home > Other Forms of Violence Against Women > Forced and Early Marriage > Ongoing Developments

India: Supreme Court Invalidates Law Allowing Sex with Child Brides

India’s Supreme Court has overturned a law that allowed a man to have sex with a girl between fifteen and eighteen years of age if the two were married. Girls under the age of eighteen may now file a complaint of rape against their husbands within one year of a sexual act. According to the BBC, women’s rights groups in India strongly support the judgment; however, others are concerned that the verdict will be difficult to enforce “in a country where child marriage is still rampant.” Additionally, other forms of marital rape not involving a minor are still legal in India.

Compiled from: India Supreme Court rules sex with child bride is rape, BBC News (October 11, 2017).

The Advocates for Human Rights Site Map About the Site

330 Second Avenue South, Suite 800, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA Phone: (612) 341-3302 Fax: (612) 341-2971 Email: hrights@advrights.org

Although Stop Violence Against Women endeavors to provide useful and accurate information, Stop Violence Against Women does not warrant the accuracy of the materials provided. Accordingly, this Web Site and its information are provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular use or purpose, or non-infringement. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the above exclusion may not apply to you. We reserve the right to make improvements and/or changes in the format and/or content of the information contained on the Web Site without notice.This information is provided with the understanding that Stop Violence Against Women and its partners are not engaged in rendering legal or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.