Man’s ‘marriage’ to mentally and physically disabled woman in China less than half his age could be rape, lawyer says
- Man claims the girl’s parents gave him ‘permission’ to ‘take care of her’
- China’s one-child policy has been blamed for an army of unmarried men looking for brides
Chinese authorities have refused to allow a man to marry a mentally handicapped woman less than half his age – but said it was fine for them to live together.
The decision has created controversy after a disturbing video of the couple’s “wedding” emerged online. Many expressed concern the man, surnamed Zhang, was now engaged in a sexual relationship with the woman despite her inability to consent.
Wearing matching floral corsages, Zhang said the girl’s parents had given him permission to “take care of her” and that she was crying because she was not yet familiar with the new home they would share.
Another woman not shown in the video can be heard saying, “Look how nice he is to you ... don’t cry, you’re in a new home now.”
People online reacted angrily to the government’s decision in allowing the 20-year-old woman — who is unable to walk or talk — to marry the man 35 years her senior, saying she was clearly being taken advantage of.