“Hi this is Victoria Prunty, co-founder Tapestry Against Polygamy (1998-2009) and Kristyn Decker, founder of Sound Choices Coalition (2013 - 2023).  We are both ex-sister-wives who helped organize non-profits in the State of Utah to bring awareness to the inherent harms of patriarchal polygamy.  These organizations are now dissolved primarily due to polygamists using media, like TLC, to mislead the public."

We ask you to join us and hold TLC producers accountable so we can create a healthier future for women and children.” 

Discovery Channel’s Modern Slavery Statement is based on “efforts to combat slavery and human trafficking . . .” and to mitigate modern slavery risk in the supply chain.  

Instead, TLC producers promised pro-polygamists the show would not explore the negative side of polygamy and only focus on certain aspects of daily life within polygamy. (Not how women are recruited into polygamy, why they stay, and what happens when they leave without celebrity status.)

During “Sister Wives” Kody Brown and adults described themselves as “misunderstood, social outcasts, persecuted, victims of a witch-hunt, and discriminated against,” in an effort to normalize polygamy and decriminalize it.   

Not only were the Brown adults disingenuous because polygamy is not prosecuted, but they also worked towards invalidating realities of polygamy throughout the world; where women and children are used as a commodity competing for scarce resources (the husband/father), money, quality time, etc.

In polygyny, a woman is discriminated against when not having equality, not being allowed multiple husbands, and not being the favorite “wife.”  

TLC producers purposely hid non-intimate relationships and portrayed family members as one big loving group.  Young anthropologist students were brought in to give polygamy credibility.  A therapist tried to help resolve personal relationship issues while avoiding the power and control dynamics inherent in polygamy.  Anti-polygamists were sabotaged when invited into a discussion on polygamy and not being told it was a setup; there was a contract already in place not to explore the negative side of polygamy.  

“Sister Wives” has been a ruse from the very beginning: not only to line the pockets of greedy producers but to change public perception of polygamy.    

With TLC reality celebrities at the helm, in 2020, Utah lawmakers ignored its state constitution to “forever ban polygamy” and reduced it to an infraction. Utah lawmakers made polygamy a victimless crime on the books and took crime reparation funds away from deserving victims. They argued decriminalizing polygamy would make going after crimes easier.  

To date, polygamous groups continue to run like other organized crime groups with followers only coming forward to save themselves (not the victims).  In the Samuel Bateman case involving girls being trafficked and raped, one of his accomplices, Moroni Johnson, still has not been charged.

As a society, we are learning more every day about undue influence, informed consent, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, modern slavery, and the lack of gender equality around the world. Toxic masculinity is no longer welcome.   

Let’s call it a “Final wrap!” for TLC producers and polygamists promoting crimes against women and children.

 

Sincerely,

Victoria & Kristyn 

For more information:

Cheat Sheet Kristyn Decker, Aunt of Christine Brown

Salt Lake Tribune 2009 - TLC “Sister Wives” Boycott

Victoria Prunty, YouTube “No” to Decriminalizing Polygamy