Child Marriage and Domestic Violence Victim Dies by Suicide

Helaleh Elyasi, 22, a victim of child marriage, took her own life on March 8 as a result of enduring relentless beatings and domestic violence inflicted by her husband.

At 17, her family forced her to marry a man twelve years older. Since then, she has suffered many kinds of abuse at his hands, according to an Iran-based women's rights activist. 

Reports indicate that Elyasi sought support from her family and relatives to escape her abusive marriage in the years leading up to her death. 

However, each time she pleaded for help, she was pressured into compromising and returning to her husband's home, according to the activist. 

Despite her resistance, Elyasi became pregnant at the age of 19. 

A source familiar with the situation said that Elyasi endured repeated beatings from her husband, often in the presence of their child.