Teen Forced into Marriage Shares Harrowing Journey to Freedom

At just 15 years old, Rubie was thrust into a nightmare when her family forced her to marry a man nearly twice her age during a trip to Bangladesh. This tragic story highlights the ongoing issue of child marriage and the dire consequences it brings to young girls. Raised in Wales, Rubie’s life took a horrific turn when her father, prioritizing cultural traditions, arranged her marriage, allowed under local laws with parental consent.

Rubie’s experience was marked by daily sexual abuse at the hands of her husband, leading to her becoming pregnant at the age of 16. In an interview with *Birmingham Live*, she expressed the profound pain and disconnection she felt during those years, stating, “No young woman should have to go through what I went through.”

A Childhood Shattered

Rubie’s early years were relatively normal, spent by the seaside with her six siblings. However, her deeply religious family imposed strict rules, particularly regarding social interactions and romantic relationships. As she entered puberty, Rubie and her older sister began secretly dating boys, which ultimately prompted a drastic shift in their family’s dynamic. Following her sister’s departure from the family’s restrictive environment, Rubie found herself increasingly trapped.

During a supposed vacation back to her parents’ homeland, Rubie’s marriage was arranged without her consent. She recalled the moment her mother introduced her to the man she would marry, saying, “I just remember the look of pain and sadness on her face.” It was only upon seeing her marriage certificate months later that Rubie realized her husband was in his thirties.

The lead-up to the wedding left Rubie feeling disconnected from reality, a sensation that only deepened following the marriage. She described the onset of her husband’s abuse as relentless, stating, “A couple of days after was when the rape started, and it was just continuous after that.”

Confronting the Harsh Reality

After a few weeks, Rubie learned she was pregnant. Faced with this stark reality, her family made the decision to return her to Wales, leaving her husband in India. In a moment of despair, she attempted to take her own life, but a pivotal experience during her first ultrasound changed her perspective. Hearing her baby’s heartbeat gave her the strength to choose life for her child.

In October 2000, Rubie gave birth to her daughter, but her struggles did not end there. Plans were made for her husband to join them in the UK, leading Rubie to consider fleeing with her child. However, her family located her and forced her to return home.

It was not until a chance encounter with a school friend in 2000 that Rubie’s life took another turn. After sharing her harrowing story, the friend helped her contact the police. Unfortunately, due to a lack of knowledge surrounding honor-based abuse, assistance was delayed until the following morning.

Despite escaping her first abusive marriage, Rubie found herself in another dysfunctional relationship, welcoming another child in 2002. However, it took five more years for her to break free, ultimately securing a restraining order against her partner.

Rubie reflected on her journey, stating, “I went right back to what the eight-year-old me had wanted to do and achieve before any of this had happened.” This determination led her to travel the world and rebuild her life.

Today, Rubie dedicates her efforts to raising awareness about forced marriage and honor-based abuse as an ambassador for the Sundial Centre. “I need other survivors to realize that there is hope and help out there; you just have to reach out for it,” she emphasized.

Rubie’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of advocating for the rights of young women everywhere.