A 'child bride' divorced at 20: Meet Australia's youngest divorcees
SBS News
β’Sun, 13 Sep 2026 19:34:51 +0000
π° What Happened
SBS News has published a report about some of the youngest people in Australia to go through a divorce. The headline centres on a woman described as a 'child bride', who was divorced by the age of 20.
In Australia you must be 18 to marry. A court can allow someone aged 16 or 17 to marry if a parent or guardian agrees and a judge approves. Such cases are rare.
The story follows people who married as teenagers and later ended those marriages. It looks at what that early start meant for their lives as young adults.
π The Backstory
Australia made forced marriage a crime in 2013. Pressuring someone to marry, or arranging a marriage for them, can lead to prison.
Taking a child overseas to be married is also against the law. Police and support services can step in when someone fears they will be forced to marry.
Because underage marriage is uncommon here, cases often involve pressure from family or community. Support groups help people who want to leave or refuse a marriage.
π― Why It Matters
It shows how a decision made at 16 or 17 can shape the rest of a life. It also shows forced marriage is still something Australian law has to deal with.
SBS News has published a report about some of the youngest people in Australia to go through a divorce. The headline centres on a woman described as a 'child bride', who was divorced by the age of 20.
In Australia you must be 18 to marry. A court can allow someone aged 16 or 17 to marry if a parent or guardian agrees and a judge approves. Such cases are rare.
The story follows people who married as teenagers and later ended those marriages. It looks at what that early start meant for their lives as young adults.
Australia made forced marriage a crime in 2013. Pressuring someone to marry, or arranging a marriage for them, can lead to prison.
Taking a child overseas to be married is also against the law. Police and support services can step in when someone fears they will be forced to marry.
Because underage marriage is uncommon here, cases often involve pressure from family or community. Support groups help people who want to leave or refuse a marriage.
It shows how a decision made at 16 or 17 can shape the rest of a life. It also shows forced marriage is still something Australian law has to deal with.