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BC’s Representative for Children and Youth says polygamy charges laid against the religious leaders of the isolated Southeastern BC community of Bountiful is long overdue, but more work still needs to be done.
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond says she is concerned about the continued exploitation of children in polygamous communities as well as their quality of education.
“I still feel concerned about the fact that there are girls and boys who may be in an environment where their life opportunities are not being fully realized because they have a pre-ordained destiny that sees them moved across borders and places in situations where they are particularly vulnerable.”
She adds “The core of the issue for me is basically grooming children at a young age to play a role, which is that they would be pledged in a celestial marriage to an older male. That practice infuses the environment and the understanding that these girls have about their purpose in life, their destiny, and so forth.”
Turpel-Lafond is urging the government to step up supports for children in polygamist communities so they can grow up to be fully successful in life.
Charges of polygamy have been laid against Winston Blackmore and James Oler.
It’s been five years since both men were acquitted of similar charges.
Oler and the two others – Brandon James Blackmore and Emily Ruth Crossfield – have also been charged with the unlawful removal of a child from Canada.
Shelby Thom
13 August 2014
