Retaliation from the group has been a concern for Jessop, but she said she has good protection and the Utah Attorney General's Office is aware of her situation.

"It's worth doing whatever it takes to get out," she said.

Jessop said she had to come to grips with her fears, but decided she would be worse off if she stayed in her abusive marriage. Jessop said she gave up everything for the unknown, but that she is now happier than she ever thought possible.

"I didn't want my daughters to go through what I went through," Jessop said.

She said she still follows a few core values from the FLDS, and she believes in a higher power, but she is not part of any organized religion. Jessop said she wouldn't rule out the possibility that a healthy polygamist relationship could exist, but she never witnessed one. She said everyone in a family would have to be happy for her to consider it a healthy relationship.

Many in her family have left the FLDS, but several are still part of the group. She has contact with very few people but says she knows that they would never admit they ever talk to her.