in most nations, bride kidnapping is considered a sex crime because of the implied element of rape, rather than a valid form of marriage. some types of it may also be seen as falling along the continuum between forced marriage and arranged marriage. the term is sometimes confused with elopements, in which a couple runs away together and seeks the consent of their parents later. in some cases, the woman cooperates with or accedes to the kidnapping, typically in an effort to save face for herself or her parents. in many jurisdictions, this used to be encouraged by so-called marry-your-rapist laws. even in countries where the practice is against the law, if judicial enforcement is weak, customary law ("traditional practices") may prevail.