My name is Donna Simmons, and I am the founder of the REVIVE Collective, an organization dedicated to transforming trauma into purpose. As a multi-generational survivor of both childhood trauma and child marriage, I intimately understand the devastating impact these experiences can have. Because I was forced into marriage before I was ready, I had to drop out of high school before completing the 10th grade and endure years of struggle to claw my way out of poverty while navigating a system that seemed determined to break me.

In Kentucky, until 2018 - with the passing of Senate Bill 48 - there was no minimum age for marriage when a pregnancy was involved. Marriage license records show that between 2000 and 2015, over 10,000 children were married in Kentucky, the youngest 13 years of age - pregnant - and married to a 33 year old man with a judge's approval. There was another egregious case in which a 15 year old - also pregnant - was married to a 52 year old man, also with a judge's approval. Let's be clear about what this means: Instead of being prosecuted for sexual abuse of a child, these predators were literally handed a license to keep offending.

Senate Bill 48 was supposed to stop this - Under current law, which went into effect July 2018, minors as young as 17 can still marry with judicial approval if certain criteria is met. Examples include evidencing self-sufficiency, having obtained their GED or high school diploma, an age gap between them and the person they are marrying that does not exceed 4 years. However, we have found that this law is not consistently being followed in some counties and children as young as 16 are still being married. In some instances, the age gap is so large between the minor and the adult they marry that it violates age of consent law. 

This places vulnerable children at risk, thrusting them into adult responsibilities they are not prepared for. Studies have shown that individuals married as minors are at an increased risk of facing domestic violence, poverty, and mental health issues. Additionally, they are more likely to drop out of school, limiting their future opportunities and perpetuating cycles of poverty and abuse.

Senate Bill 156 seeks to amend this by raising the legal marriage age to 18 with no exceptions. This change is crucial to protect our youth and ensure they have the opportunity to complete their education and build a future free from premature adult responsibilities. Passing this bill would also align Kentucky with current global human rights standards and set a precedent for other states to follow.

The opposition may argue that judicial oversight is an adequate safeguard, but the reality is that these systems often fail to protect children, as we see in the data. Coercion and manipulation can easily taint a "consent" that is given under duress or from those who stand to gain from the marriage.

Kentucky legislators have a responsibility to protect our children and support their development into healthy, educated adults. SB 156 is not just a bill—it's a promise to safeguard the rights and futures of the next generation. I urge you to lend your voice to this crucial cause.

Please sign this petition to show your support for SB 156 and help end child marriage in Kentucky. Together, we can ensure that every child has the chance to grow up free from undue pressure, premature responsibilities, and resulting lifelong trauma. 

You can hear more about my story by watching this video.