Young women impacted by forced marriage in Australia: an examination of marriage, gender and harm

This thesis examines young women’s experiences of forced marriage in Australia with a specific focus on understanding the context in which it is attempted or occurs and the ways in which young women navigate forced marriage in their lives. As a criminological examination this thesis suggests that to better understand forced marriage, diverse experiences of and responses to gendered violence are key for realising women’s safety. The findings suggest there is a need to re-consider the legal and policy response in Australia to prioritise what young women say they need – which includes shifting away from criminalising parents and separating families.