Breslov-originating cult forced teens into marriage underage

The Knesset had a panel discussion with victims of a cult that may have been formed by members of the Haredi Breslov sect that was marrying teens underage:

The Knesset Committee for the Advancement of the Status of Women and Gender Equality held a special hearing on Tuesday following allegations of underage marriages in the northern town of Yavne’el, with lawmakers, survivors, and officials describing what committee members called a longstanding and deeply troubling phenomenon.

In 1986, a Breslov community largely consisting of baalei teshuvah (newly religious) adherents was established in Yavne'el by Rabbi Eliezer Shlomo Schick. The community numbers several hundred families and supports and promotes marriage at a very young age, with women marrying at age 15-16 and men at age 18.

Committee chair MK Merav Cohen opened the hearing by saying the issue has persisted for years despite repeated warnings and alleged failures by authorities to stop it.

“This has been in the background for two decades," Cohen said. “This is a principled debate about minors who are forced into marriage and sexual relationships at a young age. Time and again, the public is shocked, but nothing changes, and the authorities fail to stop a phenomenon that endangers lives."

Read more. It's angering how this continues to occur with authorities taking insufficient action against the cult leaders if that's what it takes to disperse these repellent cults. That has to change, and the worst part is that the Haredi parties in the Knesset probably won't avail in dealing with this issue.