The first time I was personally introduced to the horrors and injustice that polygamy creates, I felt stunned.
Immediately, I took it upon myself to take action against the serious abuses polygamy directs specifically toward women and children. Not only does this issue harm its participants, it also affects all Utahns by tarnishing this state's otherwise wonderful image. As we enter the new millennium, it is time to address these serious issues and wipe our slate clean.Polygamy has been handled and clearly drafted, at least within the law books. The Utah Constitution states "polygamous or plural marriages are forever prohibited."
The obvious lack of enforcement hurts our state on two separate levels. First, the lifelong negative ramifications caused by abuse to both the women and children involved in polygamy are devastating. The personal accounts of women courageous enough to leave such harmful relationships are appalling. Common circumstances faced by female members include complete control over their private lives and thoughts, manipulation, pressure to participate in improper physical relations, threats and intimidation, guilt, gender discrimination and isolation. Even under such circumstances, it is difficult to leave due to their isolation, which causes an inability to adapt to the real world.
The children of these "families" are the greatest victims. Without a choice, they must bear the harmful repercussions of their involvement. Common atrocities enacted toward the children include both beatings and inappropriate physical relations, in addition to the denial of a proper education and appropriate medical attention. The very basic of human and civil rights are often denied polygamous children and women.
The most recent publicized case involved the Kingston family's attempt to marry a 16-year-old child to her uncle. Her effort to escape the situation was promptly accompanied by a violent, life-threatening beating. The child's reporting of the incident was the only means that allowed the state to step in. One of my colleagues suggested we offer polygamists an apology. I suggest we apologize to all the people who will never enjoy the full benefits of society, due to our complete failure of enforcing the law in the attempt to curb harmful and illegal polygamous relations.
Second, polygamists abuse the welfare system. Polygamist families are taught that welfare was instituted by God to assist them. Thus, wives who are not technically married as the first wife file for welfare by stating that their husband has left them and refuses to pay child support. In effect, polygamy is cheating the honest citizens of this state out of millions of tax dollars.
These intolerable acts and frauds must be stopped. There has not been a single prosecution against polygamy in the past 40 years. This allocates a message of acceptance to all polygamists and the various crimes they commit. I have attempted and will continue to support legislation that will direct $500,000 toward the prosecution of crimes in polygamous communities.
Opponents argue that such legislation is too expensive and not worth the tax money provided by law-abiding citizens. To counter that argument, I say taxpayers will save money because such prosecution will stop fraudulent welfare claims, which cost the state millions of dollars.
Opponents also argue that if such prosecution were successful, it would be impossible to place all polygamists in jail. I agree, but the option of taking some action and observing positive results tremendously outweighs inaction.
The implementation of these ideas will not solve the problem, but they will bring us closer to the solution. Together we can continuously take small steps down the path that will finally end the abusive and illegal relationships of polygamy.
Sen. Scott Howell, D-Granite, is the Minority Leader of the Utah Senate.