A manual intended to help those helping people from polygamous backgrounds is now available, Utah and Arizona officials said Thursday.
"The Primer -- Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in Polygamous Communities" was created to instruct case workers, law enforcement officers and others about the unique beliefs, practices and terms used by various polygamous groups.
It includes a brief history of polygamy, guidelines and training exercises, an extensive glossary, descriptions of fundamentalist groups, characteristics, practices and unique factors to consider when dealing with domestic violence and child abuse.
It also has resource guides and law charts for both Utah and Arizona.
"We have learned that some victims are not getting help because they fear the people who are offering it don't understand them," Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said. "The Primer is the beginning of what I hope will be many efforts to break down barriers."
The Utah Attorney General's Office worked with the Arizona Attorney General's Office, government agencies and non-profit groups to produce the manual. Input was also gathered from fundamentalists and from people who have left the polygamy lifestyle.
"As we continue our joint efforts to find better ways to assist child abuse and domestic violence victims from the polygamous communities, this training manual will provide law enforcement and human service agencies with tools to increase their effectiveness in dealing with members of these communities," said Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
Historically, victims from polygamous communities have been underserved because of geographic isolation or because they distrust government agencies and other outsiders.
The manual will be used in connection with the Safe Passage Program, a program funded by a $700,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant to help domestic violence victims from polygamous and rural communities in Utah and Arizona.
"The Primer is a first of a kind and an admirable bridge-building effort. Hopefully, it will help service providers meet the needs of this unique segment of society," says Anne Wilde, member of Principle Voices of Polygamy, an educational group that represents polygamist families and their culture.