Child marriages slammed as 'cultural pedophilia' as video from Sydney mosque sparks outrage
Critics have slammed a video of a teenage girl being married to a man at a Sydney mosque as ‘cultural pedophilia,’ as police issued a warning about child marriages in Australia.
Video emerged of the moment a 14-year-old girl was married to a man 20 years older than her on Monday, sparking widespread outrage and concern for the child involved.
Child Abuse Squad Chief Inspector Peter Yeomans said investigations needed to be made into child marriages because the “risks were too great.”
“What it does (is) it takes away the innocence of that child,” he said.
It’s estimated 300 girls have been married off in Australia in the past two years, with a third married in NSW.
Police Minister Troy Grant said similar behaviour in NSW was child abuse.
“It’s unacceptable and those engaging in this should be held to the highest account of law and in my view have the book thrown at them,” he said.
Police have also arrested a groom and an Imam in Parramatta for allegedly marrying a 12-year-old girl.
The issue will be raised at a special inquiry at State Parliament next week.
