Polygamy
is illegal in Utah and forbidden by the Arizona constitution.
However, law enforcement agencies in both states have decided
to focus on
crimes within polygamous communities that involve child abuse,
domestic violence and fraud. The Utah Attorney General's Office
and the Arizona Attorney General's Office also worked together
to produce "The Primer---Helping Victims of Domestic Violence
and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities." This manual
provides basic information about various polygamous communities
that will
assist human services professionals, law enforcement officers
and others in helping victims from these communities. The Primer
will
be updated regularly to reflect modifications in the law and
changes in each organization's beliefs and practices. Click here
to read
or print the latest PDF version
of The Primer*.
If you are a victim of domestic violence or abuse and need immediate
help,
please call Utah's free, confidential Linkline at 1-800-897-LINK
(5465).
Safety Net
Committee
The Safety Net Committee began in 2003 and currently holds monthly
meetings in Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah, Colorado City,
Arizona and Creston, British Columbia. Government agencies, non-profits
and interested individuals work together to insure that people
associated with the practice of polygamy have the same educational
opportunities and access to justice, safety and services as the
general public. This is done through a coordinated effort to open
communication, break down barriers and accomplish these original
goals: provide training and develop materials for public awareness;
reduce isolation, secrecy, abuses of power and crime; and find
ways to provide access and education to members of polygamous communities.
More information can be found in The
Primer.
The Safety Net Directory - Agencies and Organizations Helping
Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities
can be found on the Arizona Attorney General's website at http://www.azag.gov/victims_rights/SafetyNetDirectory.pdf.
Safe
Passage Grant - The Utah Attorney General's Office
is also a partner with the Safe Passage Grant, a grant from
the U.S. Department of Justice's
Office on Violence Against Women that provides resources to victims
of domestic violence from polygamous communities. The grant offers
money for housing, legal help, transportation, social workers,
law enforcement officers and a public awareness campaign. The
grant has paid to produce these Safe Passage Newsletters that
are being distributed to people living in polygamous communities.
Safe Passage Newsletter, January 2007 (PDF)
Safe Passage Newsletter, September 2006 (PDF)
Safe Passage
Newsletter, June 2006 (PDF)
Safe
Passage Newsletter, March 2006 (PDF)
Safe Passage Newsletter, January 2006 (PDF)
___________
*The Primer and the Safe Passage Newsletters
are best
viewed with Adobe Reader 6 or 7. The latest
free reader
software is available at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
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