Understanding FLDS Abuse and Labor Trafficking | A Survivor's Perspective
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2024
- Content Warning: This interview contains discussions of child abuse, labor exploitation, and other distressing topics related to the FLDS community. Viewer discretion is advised. Our intention is to inform and educate while respecting the survivor's bravery and strength in sharing their story.
In this powerful and heart-wrenching interview, we sit down with a courageous survivor who shares their harrowing journey out of the shadows of abuse and labor exploitation within the FLDS community. Their story sheds light on the hidden realities faced by vulnerable children and the challenges they encounter in escaping such traumatic situations.
Through this candid conversation, we aim to raise awareness about the dark and secretive world of FLDS abuse and labor trafficking, shedding light on the urgent need for awareness, empathy, and support for survivors. Join us as we listen to their account, learn about their resilience, and gain insight into the struggles they've faced on their path to healing and empowerment.
If you or someone you know is a survivor of abuse or trafficking and needs assistance, please reach out to the appropriate helpline or support organization in your region. Together, we can work towards a world where every child is safe and protected from harm.
If you or someone you love has left polygamy and needs assistance, please reach out to "Holding Out HELP" at 801-548-3492 or visit their website at www.holdingouthelp.org
At Growing Up In Polygamy our mission is to "Create compassion for communities that have been marginalized and abused by their leaders, and to empower those who have left by giving them a platform to share their stories with the world."
If you would like to DONATE to this cause you can do so here: donorbox.org/g...
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I smile a little every time he can say stuff like how they "didn't give a shit" with his parents right there, after like every time his mom has noted that she had to call them her *children* and not her *kids*. It's good to be able to use the words that really fit how you feel, both good and bad.
I've never been as happy hearing someone curse in front of their parents as much.
All of Utah's Congress members should watch this video! If law enforcement won't step up, maybe some political pressure would help. If you live in Utah, contact your local representatives as well...this level of child abuse is beyond evil and needs to be stopped!
Thank you!
They know. They're too afraid that conservatives won't vote for them if they do anything. Jeffs amassed a trust worth close to a billion dollars by forcing members to sign over all their wealth. Lawmakers are terrified of the FLDS because they have endless money to pay shark lawyers and hide behind "religious freedom".
Many of them all the way up to the highest powers are members of this church too, so they maintain the situation as it is.
I agree however some law enforcement, judges and politicians are in on all of this. Paid off,..... the whole thing is gut wrenching.
@LeticiaWorboys this wouldn't surprise me at all. Look at Scientology and the police forces in their pocket. It's not uncommon with these high-demand religions. If people in power don't believe, they most certainly will take their money and look the other way.
As a mother I am just without words and beyond tears hearing what these children have gone through. Just...
We are sad to even have to talk about things like this.
Me too 😭
Holy cow!!! I find it hard to believe that anyone who is still involved with FLDS could watch this and not be moved to get to heck out of there. The power of brainwashing is hard to comprehend for someone who has had no exposure to cults or high-demand religions. You two continue to do such meaningful work in bringing the truth out and shining a bright light on the abuse that continues to happen. Your channel just continues to evolve into something better and better - and I have never missed an episode since your very beginning. I admire you both so much. Keep up the good work!!
Thank you so so much for your love and support! ❤️
It's rare for them to even watch such a video because internet and electronic devices are not even allowed. Also, if you have been born and raised in it, you don't know any better and they don't even know that there is any other way. They are told that we gentiles are the devil's spawn, so then it's very difficult to help people who don't realize they need help.
Thank you for providing a platform for those who can speak out about the dangers of high control groups and related abuse. As a person who tried to protect family members from abuse as a young child, this all hit me so deeply. Blessings to Sam and Melissa for all you do.. and I wish for all of your courageous guests to find healing and thrive. These narratives are incredibly important as part of working towards a world where people are treated with the dignity they deserve.♥️
Thank you so so much for your love and support ❤️
I just watched this families series, what do we do? This needs to be stopped! I’m assuming pleading with local or state officials won’t help? National officials? Emailing Utah representatives in Washington? How can this abuse be stopped? I am going between rage and heartbreak for this family and all the others that live in this horror. I am not an organized religion person but have a strong belief in a Creator and my God loves and forgives, how is this a religion? Bless your channel for bringing this to light
I just have no words. Thanks you for this young man for his bravery in speaking out.
My twins are almost 8. I cried listening to so much of this. The thought of my babies (or any child for that matter) being treated that way makes me physically sick.
It makes us sad and sick to even have to talk about these things.
This family's story is the most interesting (and heartbreaking) story you guys have shared yet. Survivors of the Warren Jeff's crimes just before he went to prison suffered so much -- it is almost unimaginable. It is good to see them still together -- they are true heroes and survivors. I wonder if they considered staring their own channel, or maybe write a book about their family story? Not to compete with yours, but to compliment it, since Sam's experiences are very different than their own.
We agree that they should start a channel or write a book! 🙂 It is crazy how different everyone's story is.
I would like to pint out that this story hapon'd after warran Jeff's was inprisond
Thank you for giving Kyle a chance to tell his story. So many abuse victims feel like they have to stay silent to keep the peace, because they are worried they won’t be believed or they just don’t know who will listen. Hopefully this can be part of his healing journey.
Thank you!
The parents look so sad listening to their son. It’s heartbreaking.
This was a hard one for me having 4 children of my own that are 18,13,9 & 5 and I could never imagine my kids having to go through this. This is not ok. The government needs to do something.
I watch all your videos.. and these 3 parts to this 1 family broke me to pieces! I pray to God something somehow God shuts all that down so no other child will be hurt or anyone! I love these real life painful courageous stories ! Thank you for doing this! This is in every country corner religion and town and people just don't care to try to see and help!
My step father abused me, my mother and 3 siblings growing up. He was a horrible man who was verbally and physically abusive to us. I tried a few times to notify the police about him and was caught by him and my mother would have to stand in between me to keep him from beating me. The intimidation children feel from their abuser is so terrifying and real. I can feel for these children.
Im so thankful for you all to share this story and that you are finally away from that and able to work of learning to live and heal from the pain you all suffered. Thank you and my compassion goes to you all.
Thank you 😊
It's so horrible what these innocent children have/are going through. I hope this young man gets all the help he needs. I'm sure he has a lot of anger/hate built up just by him using cuss words all the time. You can hear it in his voice. I hope someone will give him what he needs to live a life of happiness and freedom from all of this.
Im glad this abused child was able to forgive his parents
This is absolutely heartbreaking. Thank you all for bringing awareness to this horrific abuse to light. I can’t even begin to think about how many precious children are living like this still.
this is NUTSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! omg. those poor kids!!!! n i SO appreciate the candid nature of kyle. TELL IT LIKE IT IS!! my goodness. so much this family endured!
I want to answer to Melissa’s question: what were the abusers motivations for keeping you? They love it! They love the power, the violence and the suffering of others. It’s disturbing for normal people, but it’s the only explanation. Because if you want slaves to work for you, you don’t try to kill them!
It is very hard to talk about so much violence! 💔💔💔 This is precisely why a channel like yours is important! Thanks to all of you for your sharing! I send you love. 💖💖💖
Always so happy to have a new episode drop!
Thank you 🙂
Rachel and Peanut would have to come see me after hearing this story.
If the kids journals we handed into the church authorities,, do you think they are still available, or have they been destroyed? This interview is heart wrenching. I have a granddaughter who is almost 8 and s grandson who is 10. Truly it is unfathomable to think of these things happening to them! God's blessings to this besutiful family. Thank you Sam and Mellisa for sharing the Black's story! It needs to be heard! ❤
Thank you, Nancy! I believe they still have their journals and plan to use them as evidence for future trials. Hopefully they will write a book as well.
What an intelligent, eloquent and witty young man. I'm so sorry that happened to him. His parents must be very proud of him for being so brave talking about his experience.
I disagree, he is not intelligent, if he was he wouldn’t use so many cuss words.
@@bridgwll oh, get a grip - I know plenty of extremely intelligent people who swear like sailors. I found his language a little bit jarring, simply because I'm used to everyone being so measured and wholesome on this channel (even if the topics being discussed aren't exactly wholesome), but this is a kid who's been through hell, he's mad and I don't blame him for not caring to be polite about it. And no one has the right to judge him as a person on how he chooses to express this amount of pain, trauma and anger.
@@pszczolka80 Exactly. I agree fully - the anger he has is a lot (and quite rightly so), and swearing is probably something that helps him to feel like he’s expressing the anger (at a guess, anyway). I thought it was nice that his parents didn’t react badly or anything to him swearing, because like I said, he definitely has every right to be p!ssed off and he should be allowed to express it in a way that’s helpful for him (and not hurting anyone else etc).✨💕
I’m just really happy to see that he doesn’t hesitate to speak the truth, even if the truth is difficult. I’m guessing his parents are incredibly supportive and can hold space for him to allow him to speak freely, which is a huge deal in my opinion. The parents would be hurting and traumatized too, so they must be pretty great parents to be able to hold that space, even when it would be so hard for them to hear the stories too ❤️🩹
@@bridgwll studies show that intelligent people curse more often than simple people. And sometimes cursing is what is appropriate to express the trauma you've been through.
I cried listening to this episode. I'm just so heartbroken for the family and kids and angry with the cult leaders. Since law enforcement isn't doing anything, have you guys considered reaching out to the local journalists that do stories on the FLDS? I think these journalists would find the kid's diaries to be a goldmine of information. Another option would be to publish the diaries as is. I think a lot of people would be interested in reading them and the public outcry might light a fire under law enforcement and prosecutors to do something. I wish I could just give a hug to all of you. ❤
Thank you! And thank you for the suggestions for getting this information out.
Here to support the important work you do on this channel.
Thank you so much for your support!
Oh my goodness! I grew up in a religious cult ans duffered abuae as a child, from people my parents trusted too. NOTHING compared to what this family has gone through though!!
Yeah, Melissa when you picture Kyle as a little boy is heart breaking. That is when my heart broke for my younger self was when one day I realized my oldest son was the age I was, when a teacher would beat my hand with a ruler.
I appreciate your channel and your guy's view on your own spirituality.
So interesting and heartbreaking to hear from the prospective of a child. I can't even imagine. I'm glad they are back together as a family and seem to be healing together.
Thank you!
Watching his mothers face during this is excruciating 😭
This is absolutely horrific. How can this be happening?!
My little brother is 7 and I just cannot imagine anyone doing that to him. I am so protective of that little boy, I just can't imagine how I'd feel hearing that someone hurt him so badly.
It is so sad that we even have to talk about these things. Even just thinking about it is so hard.
Wondering who Peanuts parents were. Multi generational immaturity that losing your temper and being violent are the precedent. What desperation brings out in people is so sad. Thank you so much to people that break such horrible cycles of abuse.
This episode is so intense. Thank you all for sharing this experience. ❤
You're welcome and thank you for your support!
Thank you, thank you for sharing. There are people listening to you now. We love you.
Thank you so much ❤️
I can feel this young man's grave concerns for the children left behind. Shsired on Twitter x
I love to hear FLDS survivors tell their life stories. It’s terrible what they had to go through. I’m glad they are out.
Thank you for your support!
His story is absolutely heartbreaking 😪
This is just heartbreaking. My heart just breaks at what this whole family has gone through. It is also so very apparent that Kyle still has a lot of trauma to work through, but I'm so proud of him for finding his voice, cursing and all. I believe that is probably a part of his therapy in that he has been given 'permission ' to speak the truth in his own power and he's not going to be punnished for it. I'm so happy for that. May he and his family continue to heal and continue to speak the truth. God bless them, and God bless you, Sam and Melissa, for helping to shed some light on this darkness.
Heartbreaking story. 🙏 for this family
Poor guy going through this at just 8 years old. I hope the other children still there get help like he said.
Like you said Sam, there must be change, consequences, legal investigation, charges, and prison time, for that much child abuse. I'm sure Holding Out Help has the legal contacts to make that happen, to the extent that investigation proves necessary.
Thank you to the Black Family for sharing their story. I am so amazed at the fortitude, perseverance, and love of this family. Even after everything, they can stand on their two feet, and be a beacon of hope for others. I am so proud of this family and will continue to pray for them and all the victims. God Bless you.
My heart is broken listening to this episode. Absolutely broken.
What a brave young man!😮 and just looking in these parents eyes as he tells his stories i can just feel their pain. So very sad i hope the kids get help
My thoughts exactly. You can see the anguish in their eyes 💔
Part 1 was so shattering, I'm too scared to watch Part 2. I wish justice could be served for these parents and their children. The way Christine Oxenberg managed to get authorities to understand the criminality of NXIVM, I wish the full force of the law could be brought to force here. We developed RICO to go after organized crime. Society has to get equally serious about organized cult assaults upon society. We need a specialized unit courageous enough to identify and prosecute cult leaders and their lieutenants who do evil under the guise of freedom of religion.
I was able to watch the other videos of the parents because I can feel they’re such genuine and kind people, and that’s what I tried to focus on to get through the hard stuff they talked about ❤️🩹🙏🏻
@@TheNurseWhoLovedMe89 That's how I got through Part 1. They are lovely people.
Thank you for sharing this ❤️ You can tell how much they love each other..they’ve been through so much and I’m so glad they are out of all of that mess.
I really liked how Kyle cussed in front of his parents and are comfortable to do so in front of them..as you grow older cussing in front of your parents become normalize and I’m glad he can do that in front of them 😊
This hurt my heart. I have no words. I’m so sorry these babies are going through this 😢
I love this family. They have held on no matter what. The young man’s language was a bit much but it also shows how passionate he is about this abuse going on
I for one totally understand how angry he must me...Language is a expression of Fervant Emotions...😢
Im sorry to you as a family for what happened my son is turning 8 next month hes a gentle little soul and couldn't even handle 1 day of this hell. THIS IS SO WRONG. IT'S A CRIME.
Thank you!
I have a almost 8 year granddaughter, I couldn’t imagine someone doing all this to her. My husband and I would rock an Orange jumpsuit if someone did this her. We also have a 19 month granddaughter & a 9 month grandson. I’m crying listening to this young man story. Prayers for this family
We agree with you and would be joining you in orange.
This is beyond heartbreaking!!!
These kids get their basic needs of survival taken away!!
Food, shelter any sense of love and care. I don’t know how old the youngest is now but im sure he needed a lot of therapy as do they all! I am still dealing wih with childhood trauma and it was nothing like that!! Im 45 but did do anything about til i was 40. @ 7 you get very messed up. You still need to know that a loving parent is around even though you are exploring the world around you. If you do not feel safe and can't go to anyone for comfort it really messes you up.
This made me cry, i was there. No being able to share my feeling and hurt. Im sure i am not the only one in my Mennonite community like that !
This is getting long but i saw an old friend from high-school a few days ago and he said he had put that behind him a long time ago. No being able to share when you are having a hard time is the absolute worst. I found out last year i have ADHD and that explains a lot!!
I don't know what their beliefs are now but I will be praying for you all to find peace and some sense of justice! This is just wrong on so many levels .. waiting to find out how they got together ❤️ keep up the fight!!
Hi Anne. We're so sorry to hear that you had to endure a similar situation! It is so sad to hear more and more people reach out with similar types of abuse. Thank you for supporting our cause and sharing your story.
@GrowingUpinPolygamy thanks for your reply. Until I totally moved away from Northern Alberta at 26 and had a big physical and emotional/ mental health crisis at 39 I had no idea how big my issues were. When the in-laws came along it caused a big change. I grew up in a town like no other. For some to leave town was to fall off the edge of the world. I would love to do an interview with you about my Mennonite community. Totally different than the video you watched. Udji (goodbye)
Ps. Our language is dying out but goes back to the 1500s?
Pss. I have sent you emails in the past but still dealing with it all. Next Tuesday I will be seeing my doctor who can refer me to an ADHD specialist.
Thank you so much for sharing you life! This is so important!
Remember they were legally married too and there was no mistake those kids belonged to them.
This was also the first video I seen sam actually have rage on his face over the child abuse.. and with children of my own and both of you.. and just being human.. it's sickening!
It's been a month since this was posted. Has anyone done anything to try to save the kids that are still trapped with Rachel and Lola? Both Kyle and Leandra (in the other video) have now pleaded for someone to save those kids who are still being abused. We viewers aren't just here to listen to their stories like we're watching a pretend show on TV. We also need to try to help when possible. I'm down in South Texas and my car won't make it that far but someone in that region needs to go check on those kids and go to the authorities/CPS. Give them these video URLs.
Heartbreaking!
It hurts terribly 😢
How are they getting away with all of this? All the people who did the abuse and the ones who hid it and did nothing to help those who were abused all need to be in jail.
Not to justify any of this because it’s definitely not OK and that they were adults themselves and could change their own behavior, but just imagine the abuse that they received themselves to think that this was anywhere near OK, to treat other children so horribly. I hope the abusers find their way out and get some help and healing. Such a Sad situation in the name of God. Disgusting!
I volunteer with a teen program and they share terrible stories of their past…. I try to encourage them to make a different story for themselves and their potential families in the future. They really do have the power to be the one who stops the abuse and bring healing to the next generation.
Thanks for sharing your story.
These poor people didn't even know they could have called the police, the kids were kidnapped.
This is so disturbing. I have to wonder how many children did not survive the abuse and starvation.
As a child who’s mother was abusive, I personally felt emotional and verbal abuse as worse than the hitting te wounds heal whatever they put in your head is always there it never completely goes away 😢💔💔
Texas Size Hugs
This.was a hard one to sit through this poor child
Prayers for this family healing!
Thank you!
Break the silence. Break the cycle.
The look on his parent's faces as their son speaks is so sad. I know they feel bad that the children experienced this but it's not their fault. It was the churches fault. The best thing they will do on this Earth is that they saved the children from further abuse by leaving the church. Well done ❣
I pray that one of these kids in this situation finds the courage to go to the police someday. This is horrible.
Thank you!
What in the actual world.
Couple things:
1. I’m SO glad they got out and got reunited with their parents.
2. These children were so incredibly brave.
3. I grew up in the United Methodist (Christian) church and attended a Christian church for 3 decades of my life. Absolutely nowhere ever in the Bible is any of this horrific abuse sanctioned. Obviously. How is this possibly excused in the name of God or Jesus??
4. I love seeing how freely he is speaking and how much his parents back him. It must be so liberating and if anyone deserves to use whatever descriptors fit best, it’s this family. I mean I just can’t even.
More thoughts:
WHERE THE HELL IS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CPS???
Also I cried with Melissa. So unspeakably terrible. 😢
Thank you for your comment and for sharing your support and concern.
@@ElisseThompsonI worked in CPS for 26 years (not in Utah). Removing children from the home depends on law enforcement and judges. Evidence is needed and a lot of times emotional abuse is a very hard thing to prove. Most of these kids won’t talk. The school can deny access and these communities deny access to CPS workers. Then a court order is needed. Now the community has a heads up to threaten the kids in what they will say in an interview. I saw a documentary where one mother and her child went to law enforcement for help and in this smaller community, the two officers were related to someone in their community and gave “the elders” a heads up, they then separated the mother from the child and locked her in a room for months. It’s a horrible and tricky situation.
Im cheering at the cuss words 😂😂😂
It’s so hard to watch this because you can see the absolute heartbreak in his parents eyes as they’re talking and listening to all of this. It really got me when he talked about his older sister trying to get the punishment and abuse directed at her to protect her younger siblings because I still remember my older sister doing that for me when I was little too 😓❤️🩹
I’m so grateful for these amazing people being willing and able to share their story 🙏🏻✨ I’m sure it’ll help a lot of people watching too 💖
PS: I’m sure it’s already taken care of, but just in case, I was going to suggest scanning all of the journals and keeping digital records for future use *just* in case anything happens to the originals…
Thank you!
I live in North Dakota. It's so weird to hear about my place and this what happened with kids.
What are the police doing?!? Which police did this info get turned in to? I would love to call and ask for an explanation
The Black family has chosen not to disclose exact names or locations of law enforcement. That being said, our hope is that through this information coming to light here, those who did get the info will do something about it. Thanks!
If people like Sam, Melissa, their guests, and other survivors continue to speak out maybe something will be done. More people besides Warren Jeffs need to be in jail.
Liked, shared and commented.
Thank you! 🙂
By the sounds of these stories I'm sure that these women (& men) can get very cruel, mean, ugly & violent when they realize that everything they've believed their whole life was a lie! I can only imagine how many still stay after coming to this realization for their families/community/kids. I'm sure it's far easier to get bitter & turn to anger than even imagine doing the actual work to heal at a time like that. Sounds like the generation that had their hands on these kids probably went thru some abuse themselves (old school flds abuse) along with being raised & brainwashed under Warrens Era! That seems like a perfect recipe for disaster.....anger, depression, violence, bitterness, rage, I literally could go on & on.
Those parents look like they’ll never be happy again. So very sad and wrong.
Let me just say Kyle is a rock star!
Oh my I’m just watching this and just listening make my stomach sick for those children. That is not teachings of and or from god. Bless that family I’m very glad you are all out and together now. I wish they would just put warren in the electric chair and be done with him. Sending prayers and healing for yo all🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
This is wrong on so many levels! I wonder how much of this type of abuse is still happening in the FLDS.
Unfortunately, we've heard that, maybe not the same, but similar things are still happening today.
The manipulation of the children and their family’s is so repulsive 😢💔
This totally breaks my heart. Makes me wonder why nothing is done about this abuse of children. Is it too overwhelming for law enforcement? Does the county or state have “in’s” with the FLDS? Does law enforcement not care, because they don’t want to interfere with their freedom of religion {although child abuse is a crime, no matter what religion their caretakers are in.} I just don’t get it.
We agree with you. It is very hard to understand how this is allowed to happen. I have had some conversations with law enforcement and they seem to be really trying to do something about it. It is such a tricky situation since the kids are taught to fear outsiders and especially outside law enforcement.
Peanut should be in jail! And every adult that knew about it 😢
Is there a second part to this ?
Which video has Leandra on it?
31:48 A common abuser tactic. I have heard of an abuser who told his wife that he had family members in the police, so a different angle to stop anyone from getting help.
What made them leave their children though for two years
When I heard roy jeff's Died, My heart hurt. He was on the podcast year of a polygamy . I'm sorry but his father is a monster. There is love. That's easy to give.
I am still upset about Roy. Anyone who knows needs help. Listen to his podcast. There needs to be more help.
The LDS church has a trillion dollars.
They can help anyone someone.
Thank you to all of you for sharing your experiences with us. Speedy healing ❤️🩹 to you
Thank you!
This is how they break the kids and keep them in the cult.
You are not alone my children were put with a quote-unquote Christian family who verbally made fun of them in the way they looked and made them hold cans for a long time for punishment and put them outside all day in the heat and told him to drink out of the water fountain they couldn't even come inside it's outrageous I'm sure she's passed away I hope she gets what she deserves for being so mean
I am wondering how the abusers were spiritually?! Because to be kind is the main rule. So how she was thinking she would actually go to heaven after being abuse ????
I’m sadden
I am so disgusted. Those “caretakers” aka satan on earth need to be held responsible and need to be put in prison and they think they are these amazing godly people who are the chosen ones ?
You know that the abusers had also been abused. When people get that hardened, they have endured horrible things with no emotional repair.
So true
How do we help?
I wonder if LE doesn’t do anything because of the wall they run into in this cult. They move people around from state to state, no one will talk. It’s a very powerful system and it would require inter-state cooperation and a ton of resources. I think re-framing this as trafficking and abuse instead of a religion would help more gain more public support and get politicians to allocate the resources.
You are spot on. Thank you for the comment!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Did the kidnappar got to jail and got punished..
Surprised that police did not look into the abuse after getting the journals. But then the reason came to me… the police were FLDS. (!!!)
Yes, IF the police heard about it, it would have been police within the FLDS
I would play with my children and color with them and coloring books and yes they had breakfast and lunch and dinner and they were happy