Bride Capture

Abstract

Bride capture, or bride kidnapping, derives from ancient customs and occurs when a man, generally with the help of male family members and friends, abducts a woman with the intention of making her his bride. This practice generally involves both families and levels of consent among the bride and her family can vary, depending on the suitability of the groom and whether or not a previous relationship existed between the bride and the groom. International convention defines bride capture as a sex crime.