Escape / Carolyn Jessop

Imagine having 8 children in 15 years. Imagine being forced to give birth in front of an audience of your husband’s other wives. Imagine having to give birth silently with no pain killers. Imagine having to have authorisation from your husband to be rushed to hospital when you’re haemorrhaging and about to die. Imagine your children sharing their father with over 100 other children. Imagine having to wear long johns, 3 pairs of socks and support stockings, long skirts and vests on a beach in Hawaii. Imagine having to show total obedience to your husband who you have to treat as a god. Imagine being told that the only key to eternal life was pleasing your husband sexually. Imagine your children being made to fast and pray for your death. Imagine your children having no Christmas, no birthdays, no presents, no sweets, no TV, no parties, no toys. Imagine going on your first date aged 35. Imagine being told that your 2 year old child with cancer is ill because of your ‘rebellion’ and that ‘God is going to destroy his life because of the sins of his mother’.