Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2005, Page 44
The book also exposes some of the ineffectual attempts by the Department of Children‘s
Services and the District Attorney‘s office to protect the children from physical and sexual
violence. Moore-Emmett states that ―The state legislature is consistently 90% Mormon …,
and several polygamist men serve in local government positions, including as mayors … and
councilmen‖ (p. 31). Asserting that ―the attitude between Mormons and Mormon
fundamentalist polygamists is that of kissing cousins with more similarities than differences‖
(p. 30), Moore-Emmett suggests that the heavily Mormon Utah government is unduly
tolerant of polygamy and reluctant to acknowledge the abuses such a lifestyle seems to
breed. And although the official stance of the mainstream Mormon Church is against
polygamy, several of the women‘s stories reveal leaders who looked the other way at the
deviant sects and blamed the women who came to them for help. Whether these officials
are simply misinformed, incompetent, or fear for their lives remains to be established.
Although the book does not explore the full picture of the psychological consequences of
polygamy, it alludes to symptoms easily recognized as post-traumatic distress. Flashbacks,
isolation, eating disorders, depression, suicidality, anxiety, and low self-esteem are a few of
the indicators mentioned in passing.
In summary, this little 240-odd-page book is packed with important information for anyone
interested in polygamous groups. Seen through the eyes of eighteen courageous women,
the underworld of polygamy unfolds in all its dimensions. A glossary of terms is provided for
the reader so that the various practices, beliefs, and jargon are made understandable. The
book reads like a novel and touches the heart.
Doni Whitsett, Ph.D., LCSW

Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2005, Page 45
News Summaries
Amish
Rape Stories
There is ―almost a plague‖ of incestuous rape in some Amish communities in the Midwest,
including Ohio and Pennsylvania, and little is done to prevent or punish the crimes because
Amish ideology stresses forgiveness, inhibits reporting to secular authorities — who in turn
tend to ignore Amish practices — discourages litigation among members, and raises women
to defer to men‘s wishes absolutely.
The Amish approach is based on Gelassenheit, or submission: ―Church members abide by
their clergymen children obey their parents sisters mind their brothers and wives defer to
their husbands (divorce is taboo). With each act of submission, the Amish follow the lesson
of Jesus when he died on the cross rather than resist his adversaries.‖
This attitude and practice helps to explain why Mary Byler [whose story is one among many
told in this article] was with impunity sexually fondled as a 5-year-old by her father and
then raped many times over during the following years by her brothers and cousins. ―There
was nothing I could do about this abuse,‖ the now 19-year-old says. (Nadya Labi, Dateline
NBC, Internet, 12/8/04)
Aum Shinrikyo
Victims Want Compensation
Victims of the Aum 1995 subway gas attacks, and other Aum crimes, have asked the
government to act quickly on the compensation issue, still unresolved after nine years. ―This
is not simply about money,‖ said a victims‘ representative, the wife of a stationmaster who
died in the attacks. ‖In order for the victims to recover, there is a need to stabilize their
lives and to do this, compensation is necessary.‖ (Kyodo News Service in Japan Today,
Internet, 10/7/04)
Surveillance to Continue
The Tokyo District Court has refused a request by Aum Shinrikyo that the government
cease surveillance of the group. Authorities say the surveillance should continue because,
they allege, Aum‘s founder, Shoko Asahara, who has been sentenced to death, continues
to exercise power over members. (Kyodo News Service, Internet, 10/29/04)
Members Arrested
Three Aum members were arrested on suspicion of renting a residential apartment in
Yokahama from 2001 to 2003 and hiding the fact that it would be used as an Aum facility.
(Kyodo News Service, Internet, 11/30/04)
Asahara Imagining Baseball on Death Row
Jailers say that Aum guru Shoko Asahara, awaiting a decision on his death sentence
appeal, recently mimicked a baseball pitcher and said, during an exercise session, ―I am a
champion pitcher in the national high school baseball tourney at Koshien Stadium.‖
(Mainichi Shimbun, Internet, 12/4/04)