Child Marriage Workshop – Connecticut
February 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Join the Justice of the Peace Association and the National Association of Social Workers – CT for an interactive workshop that exposes the harm of child marriage and efforts underway to end it in Connecticut. Esteemed panelists will highlight the social, emotional, and ethical problems connected with child marriage, the need for “brightline” (no exceptions) laws, and what Connecticut marriage officiants, clerks and citizens can do to advocate for change. Read more and registration.
Vermont Workshop on Child Marriage
JPus works to both raise awareness about the dangers of child marriage and advocate for no-exceptions legislation. This virtual workshop, to be held on January 25, 2023 at 12:00 Noon, is focused on the issue in Vermont, and addresses officiants’ quandary if asked to perform such a union. This informative workshop will highlight the social, emotional, and ethical problems connected with child marriage, the need for “brightline” (no exceptions) laws, and what Vermont marriage officiants, clerks and citizens can do to advocate for change. More information and registration info.
Our Partners and Co-Hosts
Survey – Sustainable Ceremonies
How are you protecting the environment? Please answer our survey about the steps you take so your marriage ceremonies are more sustainable. We’ll then share the results in a member support article so all members can help reduce our carbon footprint.
Related Links
- Read our blog article for couples about the steps they can take for a more sustainable wedding ceremony.
- JPus advocates for issues that affect marriage officiants.
- Learn more about the Justice of the Peace Association.
Governor Baker Signs Child Marriage Bill
It is official, and the Justice of the Peace Association is deeply honored to witness the momentous and long-overdue occasion. On September 9, 2022, Governor Charlie Baker ceremoniously signed the bill that ended child marriage in the state of Massachusetts.
After the private bill signing, speeches and celebration followed on the interior steps of the State House. It was an exciting day recognizing all of the hard work that went into protecting the state’s children from the human rights abuse of child marriage.
Photos
- JPus managing member Loretta Jay with Representative Kay Khan. Rep Khan and Senator Harriet Chandler led the legislative efforts for six years until the bill finally passed.
- The ceremonial pen
- Governor Baker with legislators and advocates
- JPus Managing Member Loretta Jay with the Unchained at Last crowd: Executive Director Fraidy Reiss, Samantha Marder and Becca Powell.
- Fierce advocates: Senator Chandler, Survivor Jenn, Representative Khan, Representative Ruth Balser
Related Links
- See email from MA Representative Kay Khan thanking the state Coalition members
- Take JPus’ training for marriage officiants about child and forced marriage.
- Read about JPus’ efforts to end child marriage in all of the states we serve.
- JPus managing member’s LinkedIn article and interview about child marriage
- Learn about JPus members’ vote to join the Coalition to End Child Marriage.
- Our partners in the fight against child marriage, Unchained at Last and Tahirih Justice Center.
Survey – Ceremony Length
Updated September 27, 2022
During the summer of 2022, JPus surveyed the pros who perform weddings and asked, How long do you think a marriage ceremony should be? With the information gleaned from the survey, we developed two resources. First, we developed a member support article with professional guidance to support professional officiants. Then, we also shared findings in a blog article for couples on findaJP.com. The blog article also has selected officiant comments from the survey.
Related Links
- Check out the member support article for marriage officiants
- Read the blog article about survey length with selected comments from the survey
- See the Code of Ethics that JPus members abide by
- Learn more about membership with the Justice of the Peace Association