Australian Convicted for Marrying Off 12-Year-Old Daughter to Lebanese
An Australian man was convicted Wednesday of procuring his 12-year-old daughter for sex by letting her marry a man more than twice her age in an Islamic ceremony.
The father, who cannot be named to protect the girl's identity, was found guilty of procuring a child under the age of 14 for unlawful sexual activity and encouraging the pair to have intercourse despite denying the charges.
Sydney's Downing Center District Court heard that he wanted to save the girl from what he considered the sin of having sex outside marriage so when she reached puberty he decided she should wed.
When a 26-year-old Lebanese man, in Australia on a student visa, showed interest in her the father consented to a marriage, which was carried out by a local sheikh last year at his home around 250 kilometers (150 miles) north of Sydney.
On the night of the wedding -- which was not recognized under Australian law -- the married pair went to a hotel with the father's permission, Judge Deborah Sweeney said as she handed down her judgment.
They had sex there and twice more at the father's home the following weekend.
"He made up a room and bed... for them knowing they would have sexual intercourse," Sweeney said, adding that the girl fell pregnant but miscarried.
During the trial, the court heard the girl was told on the night of her wedding not to use contraceptive pills or condoms as it was against the religious teachings they followed.
The father was released on bail and will be sentenced next month.
His daughter is in the care of authorities while the "husband" was jailed for seven-and-a-half years last month for sexual abuse of a child. The sheikh who carried out the marriage ceremony has not been charged.
01 April 2015, 10:06
32
I don't care what they are. Both "stone aged" civilizations promote this same kind of marriage.
01 April 2015, 13:26
23
why do you put "sheikh" in brackets, he was a sheikh and he was salafi. in saudi doctrine you can marry a 1 day old contract, just google it.
01 April 2015, 17:26
12
Kannandian - in both Sunni and Shia tradition, a wali (normally a parent) may sign a marriage contract for his or her kid. However, when the kids reach puberty (the minimum age for the consumption of marriage), either if the 'married' couple have the right to break the contract. Whether in Iran or KSA and weather among Sunnis or Shia, it is a stupid tradition that should be banned and the minimum age of marriage should be 16 or 17.
01 April 2015, 14:31
33
Saudis in Audis (interesting video on youtube). why is certain countries allowed to use millions of dollars of there budget surplus to spread there divine interpretations?
that 12 year old girl was saved because she was in australia but what about other countries?
01 April 2015, 14:59
24
Alla yel3an abu illi khalfon hayawanet wahad wahad, 12 years old was raped with her fathers consent. what a tragedy.Scorn for life.Kis ikht hek traditions. And to top it off the bastard is in Australia on a student visa for EDUCATION.
01 April 2015, 15:29
10
Could you also get us some figures/facts about Saudi Women. Hopefully this discussion would lead to an impartial agreement that a lot needs to be done to improve the rights and opportunities of our sisters and mothers in this large parts of the world.
01 April 2015, 15:41
10
kindly provide us some figures/facts about Saudi Women. Hopefully you could help get this discussion to an impartial agreement that a lot needs to be done to improve the rights and opportunities of our sisters and mothers. 6th century traditions, beliefs and whatever should accomodate the 21 century human rights not the other way round.
01 April 2015, 15:48
32
kindly provide us some figures/facts about Saudi Women. Hopefully you could help get this discussion to an impartial agreement that a lot needs to be done to improve the rights and opportunities of our sisters and mothers. 6th century traditions, beliefs and whatever should accomodate the 21 century human rights not the other way round.
