Hidden Coercion: Forced Marriage In America

About this episode

The episode discusses the complexities of forced marriage in America and the various forms of coercion involved.

What if “I do” isn’t a choice? We sit down with Hellitz Villegas, Project Manager of the Forced Marriage Initiative at the Tahirih Justice Center, to expose how forced marriage operates in the U.S.—and why consent must include the partner, the timing, and the freedom to say no without fear. We move beyond stereotypes to examine the hidden machinery of coercion: family pressure, spiritual manipulation, financial dependence, and the weaponization of immigration status that keeps survivors silen...

People in this episode

Guest: Hellitz Villegas

Topics covered

• forced marriage
• coercion
• consent
• family pressure
• immigration status
• survivors

Keywords

• forced marriage
• coercion
• consent
• family pressure
• spiritual manipulation
• financial dependence
• immigration status

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tahirih Justice Center

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