Forced Marriage

[hbkboy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Oregon

My best friend is stuck in a very bad situation. She was born here in America but her parents are immigrants from the middle east. they both became citizens, and she is going to be 18 on march 1st, but since the beginning of november they have been threatening to send her to the middle east to get her married, they've beat her. I've seen the bruises myself. Her mom went online to a muslim chat site to try and find her a husband. They recently chose someone to marry her completely against her will, and she's veryscraed now. they are trying to get him to america on a student visa now but its obvious the intentions behind it arent' for him to go to school. Just yesterday her mom told her that it didn't matter if she never met him, that she wanted her to marry him, and no matter what she said she has to. She really just doesnt feel safe and wants to leave home. Idk what to tell her exactly and really want to help her in this situation. any answers you could give would be great appreciated.

 

[azlawstudent]

1. She needs to physically leave her parent's house and go to the nearest police station. I imagine she should try and bring whatever personal effects she has. If the nearest police station is not within walking distance, she should call the police and have a police officer meet her at some prearranged spot at a certain time after her parents have gone to sleep.
2. When at the police station, she needs to state that she is 17 years old, and is being physically abused by her parents. She needs to insist that the police department photographically document any physical signs of abuse, such as bruises, on her body.
3. The police will call Child Protective Services, who will become involved in her case.

She needs to do these things immediately because:
1. She is being abused, which is absolutely unacceptable in this country.
2. If she is declared a ward of the state before her 18th birthday she may, depending on Oregon law, get free or reduced in-state college tuition. A free college education is nothing to be snuffed at, and it will help her gain emotional and financial independence from her parents in the long run.

Again, please let me stress that she needs to do these things immediately, as in tonight.