Bride kidnapping, also known as marriage by abduction or marriage by capture, is the practice in which a man or boy abducts the woman or girl he wishes to marry. It has been practiced across many peoples and eras, including the Hmong of Southeast Asia, the Tzeltal of Mexico and the Romani of Europe, and it continues today, most commonly in the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Amazon rainforest and parts of Africa. In most nations it is now treated as a sex crime, and several jurisdictions, including Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, have enacted specific criminal penalties against it.
Facts
Partially Attested
Typical PenaltyUp to 10 years in prison (Kyrgyzstan) 1 Kyrgyzstan only; penalty cited is prison of up to 10 years after 2013 crackdowns, other countries differ Notable ExampleFranca Viola, Italy, 1965 1 Jurisdiction VariationWhether the woman's consent bears on the validity of the marriage depends on the legal system 1 Classification
Offense GradeSerious or Indictable Offense 1 Sources
1. Bride Kidnapping (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead section, Bride kidnapping
Bride kidnapping, also known as marriage by abduction or marriage by capture, is a practice in which a man or boy abducts the woman or girl he wishes to marry.
Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
which punish it by a prison sentences of up to 10 years
Europe, Italy
In 1965, this custom was brought to national attention by the case of Franca Viola, a 17-year-old abducted and raped by a local small-time criminal, with the assistance of a dozen of his friends.
Background and rationale
Depending on the legal system under which she lives, the consent of the woman may not be a factor in judging the validity of the marriage.
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