Report comment to moderator

Mayhe the community in Canada uses outside contractors, etc. But the community in Texas was almost completely self-sustaining, venturing into town occasionally for supplies and to sell some of their wares. The children are schooled on the compound. The compound has their own doctor, dentist, clinic, general store, and other amenities. You could neither get in or outwithout

But really, HRW, I’d like to see you spend sometime in a local Family Court and observe the unimaginable abuse and neglect that daily overwhlems the systemn. I’d like you to look into the eyes of a trembling 12 year old girl who’s daddy has been raping her. Then get back to me about your worries of a police state.

Report comment to moderator

You might not be aware, however Mormons use their own doctors, dentists, and any other people such as contractors, nursing, etc.

Report comment to moderator

The FLDS communities are not entirely isolated — they use physicians, outside contractors, utility companies, nursing agencies, medical facilities, etc. Common police work can established enough just cause to investigate individuals. Interview the “lost boys” and the police will learn sufficient information about the community.

Report comment to moderator

Texas says 41 FLDS children have broken bones, fractures

Report comment to moderator

Officials: 31 of 53 girls from sect ranch have been pregnant

Apr 28 03:45 PM US/Eastern
By MICHELLE ROBERTS
Associated Press Writer

SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Texas child welfare officials say more than half the teen girls swept into state custody from a polygamist sect’s ranch have been pregnant.

Child Protective Services spokesman Darrell Azar says 53 girls between the ages of 14 and 17 were living on the ranch in Eldorado. Of that group, 31 already have children or are pregnant.

Officials: 31 of 53 girls from sect ranch have been pregnant

Report comment to moderator

And how is the abuse supposed to be “noted”, when the child bride (or anyone in the group) is forbidden to report it and the police are not allowed in to investigate?

The FDLS compound in Texas is out in the middle of nowhere. Most of the children have never been off the compound or had any contact with the outside world. They have no access to a phone or computer. So how is a child supposed to report their abuse? By carrier pigeon?

Even in the open society of America and Canada it’s very difficult for child abuse to be brought forward. If we’ve learned anything from the Catholic Church scandals, it’s that abuse stretches back for decades, yet is just now being discovered.

Perhaps there’s a significant difference between Canada’s laws and the US’s laws. In the US, teachers, physicians, etc. are mandated by law to report suspicions of child abuse, and the authorities are required to investigate. Given that you’re a teacher, I’m just astounded at your callous attitude toward this issue.

You worry about the possibility of a police state. I worry about the reality of child abuse and neglect. The fact is, in America anyway, the vast majority of child abuse and neglect is unreported and uninvestigated.

Pity the DHS workers. If they investigate suspected child abuse, they’re berated for acting like a “police state”. If they don’t investigate and a child is abused or dies, they’re berated for falling down on the job. Just like teachers, the vast majority of them are trying to do the best they can. They’re doing the job because they want to protect children.

Report comment to moderator

Potential is the key word you use. Similarly do we arrest potential thieves, potential murderers,etc. Its this tendency that leads to a police state mentality where we arrest based on religious, ethnicity, colour etc in the guise of protection. After all if you have nothing to hide, why not let the state takeover.

Anlir
google Bountiful, British Columbia — we have our own FLDS community. Until an individual is identified, the police can only investigate within the constraints of the law. As soon as abuse is noted, the authoroties are obligated to act to protect the individual that is being abused. And then continue to investigate. Its a slow and frustrating process but to do otherwise is to give up freedom for the suffocating protection of the state.

Report comment to moderator

I don’t know how much this has been covered up in Canada, but it’s received a good bit of coverage in the States. This is a closed community, that wouldn’t let outsiders in, and very cult-like in it’s thinking and actions. The child brides were not permitted to talk to the authorities and the members of the group denied it was happening. Given all that, how was Texas supposed to deal with the situation?

The bottom line is, in America the authorities (including teachers) are obligated by law to act if they have a reasonable belief that abuse or neglect is taking place. The law falls on the side of protecting the child, since they are the most vulnerable. Do the authorities screw up sometimes? Sure. That’s what the judicial and legislative system is there for – to keep them in check. Sometimes you have to act in the best interest of the child and sort it out later.

Report comment to moderator

This is not about favoring “community or group responsibility.” It is about stopping the crime in progress and sorting it out. That’s not easy when dealing with an insular society where everyone is so intermingled. As I understand it, men were not arrested and not all the women were removed from the compound.

So, tell me, how would you determine who did what in this situation, and be specific. Give me your plan. It sounds like you are willing to leave abused children in the custody of potential abusers while you figure it out.

Report comment to moderator