Pamela’s Story

Guest post from Pamela Quispe, a survivor from Peru

I am Pamela Quispe one of the many victims of child sexual abuse by the worker Americo Victor Quispe Gallegos, here in Peru of the congregation called “The Truth”. This is my story.

I was only 11 years old when I was sexually abused. He had recently arrived from the USA to Peru, oddly enough, after a 4-year “recovery” trip so that he would not rape any more girls. However, after having sexually abused several girls in that country he had returned to stay at my uncle’s house, as if nothing had happened. He attended the meetings, participated as a worker, preached the word of God, and had the authority to teach others even though the older workers knew what he had done in the USA, they were the ones who had provided the solution of sending him over there and they did nothing to prevent it from happening, nor did they inform the people who attended the meetings. Since that first time, I had to face 5 long years of abuse until I finally gathered the strength to tell my mother. She was the only one who believed me. The rest of the family refused to believe it, they said it was impossible because he was a worker of “The Truth” who read the Bible and practiced the word of God, he couldn’t commit such an atrocity, yet my mother did not leave my side and helped me to file the report even though I was a minor.

It was 10 years of relentless fighting, in which I was not alone, two victims from the USA came forward and stood by my side until the end. It was 10 years of anguish, of pain, remembering, reliving, recounting the facts over and over again to the judges, the hustle and bustle of going to hearing after hearing, coming face to face with my aggressor and even having to witness how others supported him by going to the hearings and stared at me with accusatory looks. I remember seeing how the worker Ubaldina Saire was his main supporter and I couldn’t help but wonder: How could a worker of “The Truth” cover up or be an accomplice to a rapist? How is she still allowed to be a worker to this day? The place I considered sacred, turned its back on me; however, despite everything, I never felt abandoned by God. His presence has been my constant comfort, guiding me even in the moments when I gave up.

In 2015, the judges dismissed all the evidence I presented, resulting in a favorable verdict for my aggressor. It was a painful day that led me to resign from the process, without seeking the annulment of the sentence. Years later, in 2019, a notification revived my determination. My case was reopened, and I decided to face the quest for justice once again. However, the experience repeated itself; the new judges did not consider any of my evidence, and the verdict favored my aggressor once more. Judicial opacity discouraged me, and I chose not to appeal the sentence, leaving things as they were. But that wouldn’t be the end. A year later, another notification from the Supreme Court arrived at my door, indicating that inconsistencies in the two previous verdicts had led to the reopening of the case. This time, justice finally prevailed. The judges took into account all the evidence I presented, including audios, psychological and psychiatric studies, and reports from the U.S., among others. After a long and challenging battle, my aggressor was finally sentenced to 35 years, proving that even though I did not file an appeal or take additional measures, the course of the process advanced inherently without my intervention, but rather through divine intervention.

As of today, I share my story through this platform to warn others about pedophiles disguised as workers. These criminals manipulate the teachings of God to commit their offenses, and such individuals rarely change if not ever. I raise my voice to protect others, as the senior workers do absolutely nothing to prevent it or to protect children. It infuriates me to know that they are the ones tarnishing the name of the congregation “The Truth” by concealing these pedophile cases; they are accomplices, enabling this behavior by turning a blind eye and pretending nothing happened. They relocate the offenders to places where no one knows them, exposing unsuspecting communities to the danger and trauma associated with these actions. By remaining silent, hiding the truth, and not informing or removing these so-called “workers” from their positions, they betray the trust placed in them. God said, “Take care of my sheep,” but is this how they interpret and fulfill that sacred responsibility? What about the well-being of the flock? What about the children? How many more victims will there be under their watch? I hold no shame in recounting my experience because it was not my fault; the responsibility lies with the perpetrator of the crime and those who enabled it. My message to everyone, especially fellow victims, is to speak out and refuse to stay silent. By sharing our stories, we prevent more victims of child sexual abuse within the congregation, and together, we can protect one another. Report your aggressors because their actions should not go unpunished. I am one of the victims who had the courage to report and seek justice. Although it took time, justice was ultimately achieved, and I attribute it all to the grace of God.

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First posted at https://www.advocatesforthetruth.com/

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WINGS Note:

The Americo situation goes back to 2008 when it first first entered the public sphere. Overseer Ray Hoffmann finally sent Americo home but praised him and abuser Ira Hobbs for all the good they did in the work (see quote below).  It was actually these incidents that precipitated the formation of WINGS in 2008.

It appears that the abuses relating to Americo described in this letter occurred before Americo was sent to the US, then sent back to South America with no action taken.  If so, it is a typical example of shifting these criminal workers around without taking any real action.

Here is Hoffmann’s letter:  https://wingsfortruth.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/rayhoffman-2pp2.pdf

This is the statement in Hoffmann’s letter that was very difficult for a lot of people:  
“We very much appreciate Ira’s guidance and help in every way the past 10 years in Texas. He has sought the Lord diligently and faithfully for your care. I have appreciated his help this year in getting me adjusted to the responsibilities here in Texas. The things that we have felt needful to discuss here is in no way to take away from all the good that Ira has done, nor of Americo.”

Ray Hoffman Letter re Americo Quispe and Ira Hobbs