CNN-- That's 28 girls every minute; 1 every 2 seconds.

The consequences of getting married at a young age can be devastating. Marriage can rob girls of their childhood and compromise their development. They often pay a heavy price in not getting an education or access to proper health care and economic opportunities. Many become victims of domestic violence and grow up feeling disempowered.

India leads the world in the number of child marriages

More than 700 million women across the world were married as children, according to Girls Not Brides.

Child marriage occurs in every region in the world and affects all religions, ethnicities and cultures.

Niger has the highest rate of child marriage, while India has the highest number.

Yes, it happens in the United States

Few perceive the United States as a land where child marriage occurs. But it does.

"When you look at the laws and see the lack of protection for girls, you are stunned," said state Rep. Jeannette Nunez, sponsor of a bill that would ban all child marriages in Florida. "The average individual would not believe Florida, or any other state for that matter, does not have the laws."

Some 248,000 children were married in America between 2000 and 2010, according to Unchained at Last, a US nonprofit group that helps girls and women rebuild their lives after forced marriages. Some were as young as 10.