Three men have been charged over the alleged forced marriage of two teenage children in Perth.
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The men - two of whom are related to the boy and one who is related to the girl - faced Perth Magistrates Court on July 26 each charged with one count of causing a person to enter into a forced marriage in circumstances of aggravation.
The matter has been adjourned until next month.
It is the first time the Australian Federal Police have laid charges in Western Australia for this crime.
The maximum penalty for the offence is nine years' imprisonment.
Police will allege the teenagers, one of whom was aged between 13 and 15 and the other who was 17, wanted to date each other but the relatives told them they would have to be married for cultural reasons.
The men then allegedly facilitated the marriage of the children in a religious ceremony last year.
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Chwal said the definition of a forced marriage was when a person married without freely and fully consenting, because they had been coerced, threatened, or deceived, or because they were incapable of understanding the nature and effect of a marriage ceremony, for reasons including age or mental capacity.
"The legal age for marriage in Australia is 18; and while a child aged 16 to 18 can obtain permission from a Court to marry, the person they wed must be an adult," he said.
Det-Supt Chwal said forced marriage was a complex crime because it often involved family members as victims and perpetrators, and the number one priority for the AFP was the wellbeing and safety of victims.
"The AFP's key focus is to disrupt and prevent this crime - by building awareness of the laws in Australia, the warning signs of forced marriage, and the help that can be provided to victims," he said.
"If victims do not feel comfortable speaking directly to police, there are many services and agencies which can provide support to help ensure their safety."
Det-Supt Chwal said forced marriage was not limited to any cultural group, religion or ethnicity.
"Anyone can be a victim of forced marriage, regardless of their age, gender or sexual orientation," Det-Supt Chwal said.
Forced marriage has been illegal in Australia since 2013.
- If you suspect that you or another person is experiencing, or at risk of, forced marriage or human trafficking, call 131 AFP (237) or use the AFP's human trafficking online information report. If you have immediate concerns for your safety, the safety of another person, or there is an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).
- If you or someone you know is being exploited, help is available. For information and confidential advice please contact Australian Red Cross. Call 1800 113 015 or visit redcross.org.au/stpp.