In the digital age, platforms like TikTok have become powerful tools for storytelling and advocacy. One of the most compelling stories to emerge is that of Brittany Bee, a child marriage survivor who uses her platform to share her harrowing experience and advocate for change. Her journey from a vulnerable teenager trapped in an abusive marriage to a vocal advocate for child marriage reform is both inspiring and deeply moving.
Brittany Bee: Early Life and Abuse
Brittany Bee’s ordeal began at the tender age of 13. Growing up in a patriarchal society in Utah, she found herself emotionally vulnerable and unable to seek help from her parents, particularly her father. “It wasn’t a safe place to come to him and say, ‘Hey, you know these men have come into my life and they’ve made me do things that I’m ashamed of,'” Brittany recalls. Her early years were marred by abuse from an adult man who groomed her, leading to an escalation of abuse when she crossed state lines with him.
The authorities eventually returned Brittany to her family, but instead of receiving protection, she was forced into marriage. “He showed up weeks later and had a conversation with my father. They went out to dinner, and they came home and said, ‘Brittany, you’re getting married.'” At just 17, Brittany was married to her abuser, an adult man who had manipulated, groomed, and abused her for years.
Life in an Abusive Marriage
Brittany’s marriage was a continuation of the abuse she had endured as a teenager. Her husband was physically, emotionally, and psychologically abusive. “He started throwing his hands, slapping, and hitting me. One time, he even unbuckled me and shoved me out of a moving car,” she recounts. Trapped in a cycle of violence with no support, Brittany faced a grim reality.
She had nowhere to go. “When I got back to the apartment, he had locked me out and packed a bag on the doorstep. That was my first indication of the reality of the situation I was in,” she explains. The lack of support from her family and the legal constraints made it nearly impossible for her to escape.
The Struggle for Freedom
Escaping from a forced marriage is a daunting task, especially for minors. Under the age of 18, leaving home often labels them as runaways, and legal actions such as filing for divorce are not options. This legal limbo traps many young girls in abusive marriages. “This is why the United Nations considers all marriage before age 18 to be forced, because minors do not have the rights of adulthood to say no to marriage and cannot give full, free consent,” Brittany explains.
At 18, Brittany managed to escape her abusive marriage, but her journey to freedom was fraught with challenges. She left in the middle of the night and found herself homeless. “I called my mom, but she wasn’t willing to take me in. I called my grandparents, and they said they didn’t have space but could loan me some money.” Using the borrowed money, she bought a car where she slept until she could find stability.
