SexualHarassmentGuy has a new victim at work. She doesn't want to report him because she is afraid of reprisal.

I don't know who she is, one of my work friends told me. I told him to tell her to talk to me and that he could tell her what went on with me. That I'd go with her to management if she wanted. But, I can't force her (least of all because I don't know who she is). But that's at least twice...that will be an investigation at the very least. It makes me want to go all Wrath of the Furies on his ass. But, I know, I need to be cool and let it play out.

I feel very strongly about the topics of rape, exploitation of children and women, equality under the law.

I don't care who the rapist is or what their reason, personal tragedy, religion, ethnic or cultural heritage is or if they are generally accepted as "brilliant" in their chosen career. If you are caught and convicted, serve your court sentenced punishment.

One of my readers, whom I respect quite a bit, implied I am hypocritical in voicing my opinion that Polanski should be held accountable for his crimes but not blogging about the issue of polygamy, forced/underage marriages, and other exploitation in the world. I disagree with her opinion, or that by speaking out against one crime I am obliged to speak out against all other crimes. However, I've been fortunate enough in my life to call a former "sister" wife friend. As such, here's equal time to another crime. Actually, more time than I gave to Polanski, since there I put what one of the writer's from BUST magazine wrote with a link, and said that I agree with it.

In several southwestern states (Utah, Arizona, Nevada), there is a problem, women, some still girls in the eyes of the law are forced to marry and not just marry, but marry into polygamous marriages where they have "sister wives." The law has a hard time catching these illegal marriages because they often occur in closed communities, mostly religious (a sect of Christianity, but as I mentioned, when it comes to rape or exploitation, religion is irrelevant in my mind). But that doesn't mean that they aren't trying.

For example, according to the Deseret News:


Once FLDS moved to Texas the state raided the compound removing the children. However, constitutionally speaking, this move was questionable (I am not a lawyer, so, I'm going by what I have read in media reports), and as it goes to trial (just this Friday a Texas judge ruled that evidence collected in the raid will be admissible at trial) there will be critics saying the state did not have justification (again, not a lawyer and haven't been watching my L&O lately, so my terminology may be more than a little off) for that raid.

CBS has done a great series on the topic, interviewing among others women from FLDS:


Tapestry Against Polygamy is probably one of the best organizations to make their voice heard on this topic. The members are all former wives of polygamous marriages.

While there is not a Federal task force on polygamy many states do have ongoing investigations.

I also would like to point out that not all Mormons are fundamentalists, in fact, the majority are not polygamous and do not engage in underage marriages. While it is true that originally, that was a belief the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has undergone an evolution like most religions do over the course of their life.