"Being raped and used up doesn't sound too bad" If you drive young women to even fathom such a thought, calling you a "criminal" is a laughable understatement.

That poor girl who was segregated from everyone, used as a slave, and left to cry alone. I just want to give her a huge hug and let her know her life has value.

No PTSD does not discriminate, my best friend has PTSD from when she was almost raped. Trauma is trauma

I live a few hours away from these compounds. I've traveled to St George on vacation before, stopping at thrift stores for some extra clothes. Every time I've gone, there's a cluster of young girls wearing these dresses and long braids following a woman in the same uniform with no life in her eyes. My heart shatters in a million pieces when they look me in the eye. I hope the survivors live to see the day this cult comes crashing down.

How sad it was when the girls' mother pointed out that her heavier daughter was not "chosen." It was even sadder to see how the cult demonized her and kept others shunning her, while taking advantage of her kind and hardworking nature. This just adds fuel to the assertion that this polygamy institution is just about some crusty old geezers seeking to meet their sexual desires by abusing children and young women.

This was his 65th wife ... The fuck

I had a classmate who was told to marry at 14(illegal, she was to move in and legally marry at 18, the law here) or get out. So our lunch lady got a new daughter, pressed charges, and ended up legally adopting her eventually. She had a foster license and ended up adopting her after only a year, it was super emotional. But her family disowned her for refusing to marry a 54 year old man with 4 wives. This is Colorado too, not even Utah. We have pockets here and it’s crazy.

When 90% of the people in your town have two last names, that might throw up some red flags.

Sorry but that's not okay. Honestly CPS and police should be allowed to patrol those compounds and make sure abuse and child marriage isn't happening

It takes incredible strength to escape a cult...I admire these young girls & their fortitude to live their own lives.

Why do I get the feeling her handwriting is perfect because it was required?

They have an odd speech pattern. Mumbled and unusually wide variations in volume

This video should be used to teach why consent is so important, as well as the difference between consent and submission.

Vice: smashing out 15 minute youtube vids which could easily be award-winning feature docs...

Did y’all catch the sign “chickens for sail”. Lawd have mercy.

The way she says it “my sister-wife” makes my skin crawl.

I've worked with people who have suffered just about every type of abuse there is and I genuinely believe spiritual abuse to be equally as damaging to a person as both sexual and physical abuse.

"There was actually one parent who named their boys North, South, East and West" Was that parent Kanye?

I went to college in Idaho for 3 years. A lot of people don’t know that Idaho has a relatively large Mormon population, and even though there are no “FLDS” in Idaho, some of the practices are still there. I dated a guy whose mom was into that polyamorous/open relationship type shit, and he was like that, as well. Being from Philadelphia, shit like that to us is considered problematic, not to mention having so many sexual partners isn’t safe. One of the reasons we broke up was because of this. He kept trying to talk me into swapping partners. He literally said to me “it’s just sex, what’s the big deal?”. He wound up cheating on me with the ex of his friend, and they all had a threesome. Oh, it gets better: I moved on from that, and some months later, I started casually talking to another guy. He was older than my ex, didn’t grow up in the same town as my ex, just the total opposite, no connection. HE WAS THE SAME WAY! He too tried getting me to do threesomes (with other men). By this point, I was in my last year of college, I just finished, didn’t date at all, and moved back East, where I met my husband. All this religious freedom nonsense? It’s just nonsense. People can do wtf they wanna do, but when you start hiding behind religion to justify your sexual habits, not to mention, dragging small children into the shit, that’s when something needs to be done. It’s ironic how these ultra religious communities have some of the most strangest sexual habits, that they hide behind religion.

I think it's awesome that these women bought the house back. They are erasing Jeffs' memory by creating a new life there. Me, personally? I would have left and not looked back, but I get it.

plus 20 years? Sexual assault deserves a life sentence. The scars left behind last a lifetime- so should his punishment.

These women are so brave to try to reclaim their old home. I also have C-PTSD and I can barely look at my old home without shaking.

My sister's ex husband was a son of Warren Jeffs. It gave me chills to see their last names were all Steed.

Does anyone else want more info on “Andrea” who died? They passed over that part lol

These women are so brave.

This is slavery....

Note all the male family members complicit in this abuse and sex trafficking: brothers & fathers. What a disgust.

WHEN WILL THE FBI SHUT THIS DOWN

interesting that she counted a dead relative as "out"

I'm disgusted that people like him exist in this world. Why can't the innocent, stay innocent? Children under the age of 14 are being married off to 60 years old and puppies are neglected and left on the streets. Are there no boundaries anymore? I don't understand why these things exist.

I’ve been noticing that members of the flds/order and Kingston clan have very distinct accents

And he still has full control over the entire community, from behind bars.. so awful

Please keep making these. The world needs to know about these monsters, and the brave survivors who won't be kept down

that slide was sick

Suzette, the girls’ mother was on the show escaping polygamy. She tried getting in touch with her two daughters Susie and Rosie who were inducted into the United order. They refuse to speak to their mother and escaped siblings to this very day. It is so sad for this woman to be shunned by her children all because of a false prophet 😞

I can understand why she wants the house back - she wants to reclaim her past and the house is symbolic to freeing herself.

A Handmaid's Tale IRL

"This is what the Lord wanted". Yeah right, any man would say that to justify their personal gains, especially sexual exploitation.

This is still happening extensively in Utah - the state can't do much about it. It is difficult to prosecute if all the participants in the group defend it and refuse to speak out about what is going on.

"there was even a parent who named their kids north, south, east, and west" Kanye: 👀📝

this man who did this to these girls should rot away long slow time.... forever

mice and roaches :/ almost 45 children living in one home? I can't even.

My heart breaks for you, Michelle. You are worthy of so much more love, affection, and warmth than what you were conditioned to believe. I hope you find the love of your life that will treat you like the Goddess you are. ❤️

hearing their stories never gets old, I was about 9 or 10 when the trials were on going. I live in AZ so everyone was consumed by them. I was so curious as to why the girls were dressed like pilgrims. I have so much love & hope for all who have been apart of the FLDS. I found out that they've recently opened a health center in short-creek to reach those who need medical treatment. I hope more & more soon become free. Things are sure changing up there. Nothing like it was when I was a kid.

i fell asleep watching Trixie and Katya from drag race and woke up to this in a state of confusion!

I've been in Hildale, met people who are FLDS, so I just want to say to these girls and boys who manage to leave or escape the FLDS - you're amazing people.

Every child deserves a parent, but not every parent deserves a child.

If you made it out. Don't go back ever. Just keep going, out of Utah completely. Far far away!

I grew up in an abusive home, where just the sound of the garage door opening and knowing that my dad was home, caused every single muscle in my body to tense! And his parents were the same if not worse, and when my daughter was almost 3, I cut my grandparents out of my life! And after I did that, one of my aunts called me and said that she wishes that she was that brave! Then, after about 1 year after my mom passed away, I was finally able to cut him out of mine and my family's life! I had wanted to do it A LOT sooner, but I loved my mom too much, and I knew it would hurt her in more ways than one! Several people have said that my actions were very brave, but I just see them as doing whatever it takes to protect my family, and that there was nothing they could do to hurt me! But it didn't stop them from trying! Like taking me out of the 'will', etc! And all its done is just showing their true colors that they tried to hide from my entire life, and how narcissistic they are- and when I didn't change my mind, it just ticked them off even more! All I've got to say is- "Checkmate"!

This cult is no different from scientology which is also NOT a religion

I grew up in the regular Mormon church and thought it was bad. Really it’s no different than any conservative Christian church. But the FLDS are absolutely nuts, cult is barely scratching the surface of them. Leaving the Mormon church was hard enough, any faith that most of your family and community follows is hard to leave. It’s nothing compared to what the brave souls had to do to escape the FLDS cult though, I can still visit with and enjoy my parents, these ladies have lost nearly everything.

Gloria is such an intelligent, well spoken young woman. It takes real fortitude to abandon an institution that has done everything in its power to strip your ability to think for yourself from you.

When Utah wanted to become a state, the Mormons had to abolish polygamy within the religion because of it being illegal under federal law. The people who weren't happy about this left the church and created their own communities. Some remained in Utah/Arizona, the others went to Juarez, Mexico where they have their own compound.

Not spoken to because she was heavy, I can only imagine how bad that feels.

I have so much respect for these girls who have escaped. That must take so much strength to do, to run from what you know. I hope other girls and women can escape, and I hope those that have are doing as well as they can be - it really is awful that cults like this are allowed to run.

I feel warren got off too easy. He should have gotten thr death penalty. I'm kinda shocked nobody's killed him in jail yet.

That sad laugh the two sisters shared...I feel that. It's disbelief at the state of affairs, it's bewilderment at the cruelty of others, it's the confusion of having people you thought you knew and who loved you completely reject you. It hurts but you laugh at yourself because you can't understand why you're still upset about it, because fuck them....but it still hurts.

"Because she's heavy" That made me chuckle. We all knew why she didn't get in, the only time being fat protects you.

All of these stories are absolutely heartbreaking. So very tragic!! I pray all of them get the help they need and deserve. I also pray they can have a bright and good future!! Thank you for sharing your stories with the world, you're all very brave!!

I live in southern Utah, and work with a girl that is FLDS. Although I don’t share the same views as her when it comes to religion, she’s such a kind soul and one of my closest friends now. I’ve learned so much from her stories, and we’ve grown so close to each other and help each other out despite our differences

what the fuck is up with that town.

@ 4:20 is that the sweetest friggin slide ever ? I would've worn the back pockets off my blue jeans if I had a slide like that when I was a youngster

Brigham Young is a misnomer.The correct spelling is Bringem' Young.

Putting aside the abusive nature of that sort of polygamy. How did these communities deal with the young men who had no women left to get into a relationship with? With these church elders having so many young wives in seemingly small communities, it means that there would be a big number of young men without any prospects of finding a GF or wife of their own. How long had this been going on there?

That Escaping Polygamy tv show is about the FLDS and three young women who escaped and are helping others to escape, it's pretty good and I wonder if it's inspiring more people in this community to talk and break free from the order. As one of them puts it in the intro for the show "They say its all about religion, but its all about sex."

Why would she want to buy Warren Jeff's house? If I lived in a place that caused me heartache and fear I'd just stay away. Far away as possible.

they are all so traumatised, or genetically disadvantaged by this man that they just seem like their light has burned out.. so sad

10:59 Chickens for sail? No thanks, chickens are just useless as sails.

I want to punch everyone that was mean to Michelle. I want to be friends with Michelle, she seems wonderful

“One parent named her boys North, South, East, and West. And Denim Levi” haha 😆

Grew up in BC near bountiful. I’m sure what they went through there was similar. So heartbreaking. I am in awe at the strength it must take to leave the community

I was living in El Dorado, TX whe the FBI showed up to one of their compounds. The sickest part about it was that the FBI turned those kids BACK OVER to the sickos. Ill never forget that. The whole town was shocked. Im really glad you were able to get away from this. I know you're still having battles...but hang in there.

escaping polygamy is a great show, cults are so interesting yet scary.

honestly, I think these girls should be commended on how eloquently they convey their tragic stories. I am constantly astonished by people who have gone through such traumatic events, and rise above and share their experiences. Very inspiring.

My condolences go to all the families whose daughters have been victimized by the sick cult. They rip daughters and sisters from their homes and tear that family apart just to add one more person to their already large family. I have experienced this first hand and truly wish I hadn’t. Somehow, they really do manage to convince young girls that there is something good about Mormonism. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The whole thing made me sad but the ending made me cry not in a good way. I felt like hugging my family. I'm really sorry for those people, love and light will guide a way and to heal. What a great video 👍

Vice.....I dont know if you will find this relevant although it is, but i live near Bountiful BC Canada where an offshoot of this polygamist group lives and has lived since the 50's. You may recognize the name Winston Blackmore. Well this group had harsh problems after Jeffs was convicted and jailed as they are all connected and related and they travel cross border constantly. The group here fractured when Jeffs was convicted as the leader winston broke with Jeffs and wanted everyone else to do the same. They didnt. Winston even had a senior wife or two leave him and go back to Utah over this. They are still fractured to this day. WELL, three of them are in our court system right now for trafficking under aged girls across the border for sex and illegal marriage. They just played the tape of Jeffs having sex with that young girl yesterday and it did not sit well with the court... as it shouldnt. She was raped. I thought you might find the fracture interesting. I dont think this story should fade.

that giant slide though...

This is sad and heartbreaking 😭

I lived in Utah for a year. On the weekends I would ride around the mountains. Once, at a gas station a van stopped at the pump next to mine. Out came a sea of kids, three women came out and one man. The women just interacted with the children. I took a quick look at the whole scenario playing out in front of me while I was doing mental math of what was going on and then noticed the man was giving me a look. I was like. "I'm not going to take your women away asshole"

First of all it's a cult not a religion, secondary when you are raised in a community that brains wash you every single day of your life it takes time to realize what is truly going on. Don't judge these people it's hard for them to start a new life and experience so many new things that they have lost through the years.

the human mind if not educated is easily made to believe anything stay in school

Another amazing, beautiful, powerful people that you so eloquently bring to my heart. Thank you

Someone I know was asked by a man to mail a letter for him at the post office yesterday, because he couldn't go in the post office with no mask.It was addressed to Warren Jeffs. My friend said he thought there was a cheque inside, because it was very thin.

Has Vice done a story on the lost boys of the FLDS? My heart goes out to these women, but there is not much coverage of what happens when there are too many boys and not enough girls.

Of course Utah

There are so many screwed up people out there... My heart goes out to those that are misled, innocent, too young, misguided, hurt, scared, abused, broken and lost. God bless you all.

This is the reason why a women must has education and be independent with a good job,because sometimes even her own family could be toxic.Even while marrying, he/she should definitely do a background check on the person, whom they are marrying. No matter whether it's an arranged/love marriage.

u would think the children could bring a law suit against our government for not protecting them against all of the abuse it's not like they don't know what is going on

VICE meets three young women who explain why they left Warren Jeffs's Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and talk about the struggle to build a new life.

i organize the Colorado City Music Festival in Hildale Utah. April 22nd will be the 3rd annual. This town is changing sooo much!

This was an EXCELLENT DOCUMENTARY! I thank you.

ive become COMPLETELY additiced to Vice... thank you for saving me from a boring night with my spouse haha...

It's like something from the frickn Silent Hill films

Im so sorry this happened to you! I hope you find recovery. Its never too late!

This was amazing and I pray for each one of these women because they are brave and deserve happiness.

I have befriended tons of the girls that were on breaking polygamy that was on tlc and I can tell you that they are a lot better functioning now .

I remember when I was around 14, 15 and I thought that living a puligumist lifestyle would be sort of nice. BOY WAS I WRONG!! I was so lonely as a child with a single mom always working and a handicap sister who I had to take care of most of the time. The idea of having a father and other mothers around all the time and a ton of siblings always with me. It actually really seemed like a pretty nice life. But this is no fantasy, this is child abuse. Very sad. :-(

It’s been 6 years since this was made. I hope everyone interviewed is doing okay now.

9:38 haha that’s funny hearing them know that’s quite some funny names 😂😂🤣🤣🤣. They share it as a kind of shy inside joke so you know they kept it on the down low somewhat. 😂🤣🤣