The Truth about Bride Kidnapping

Bride kidnapping, commonly known as marriage by capture, is generally considered a historical practice. During a bride kidnapping, the man would abduct the woman whom he wished to wed. Currently this type of kidnapping still often occurs in countries in Central Asia, Caucasus region, and certain areas of Africa. Since kidnapping is seen as a crime in most countries, bride kidnapping is considered a sex crime as opposed to the intended form of marriage.

This type of kidnapping is often seen during a forced or arranged marriage. During a bride kidnapping, only the man is involved with the kidnapping of the woman; no other individuals are physically involved. Generally speaking, the man will inform only his parents of where he is planning to take the bride. When the couple returns, they will be legally wed. Often bride kidnapping is still done as a practice of ritual or culture.