Minnesota and Iowa Policy regarding child sexual abuse

Dear Friends

It is necessary to be in touch again regarding the abuse issues we all have been trying to process in past weeks. We have prayerfully considered, and researched how to properly address child sexual abuse issues.  We have appreciated suggestions sent by professionals about online education. Please understand that in Minnesota and Iowa we have a zero tolerance policy for child sexual abuse, going forward.

Once a child abuse allegation is received, the information will be immediately reported to the proper authorities who are equipped and experienced in investigating and handling these issues. The person against whom the allegation is received will be asked to NOT attend meetings of any kind. If the allegation is completely cleared, it will be reassessed.

Abuse of any kind has no place in God’s family and child sexual abuse is a crime. If it is reasonably suspected that abuse has occurred it must be reported to the proper authorities in the area the abuse occurred. Reports can be made to local police or by calling an abuse hotline such as 800-656-HOPE.

It is the practice of people to not want to expose the sin of someone else. In the case of child sexual abuse all cases must reported and not doing so is against the law. Failing to report only allows perpetrators to continue their devastating behavior, leaves victims without any recourse for justice or treatment, and exposes others to becoming victims of the perpetrator’s abuse.

Adult victims of abuse are encouraged to access the RAINN.org online chat or phone hotline which can connect you with support services in your area.

Victim trauma education could be helpful for understanding and helping victims of abuse. The effects of abuse are not easily overcome and not well understood by the general public.

The workers on the MN/IA staff are required to take the Ministry Safe Awareness Training. It has been available the last fifteen years. This course is available to everyone and is available on line at ministrysafe.com. We are currently asking elders and wives to take the course, also. Elders, please email Bob and Sheri Lundstrom at IAMNSafe@gmail.com, and they will send the relevant information for taking this course. Parents can watch the Parent Training video by Ministry Safe, as well.

Below is information compiled with help from CSA professionals.

Feel free to reach out to any of us if there are further questions. We have been making efforts to address everyone’s concerns.

Sincerely, The Minnesota and Iowa Staff

From a professing author and their family, who would like to add their voice for victim-survivor support and advocating for change going forward.

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My family roots can be traced back to a Senator friend of Lincoln’s who took a stand for abolition and was beaten on the Senate floor, later dying of his injuries.  He took a stand for what was right in the biggest fight of his generation without fully knowing or caring about the cost, as did Lincoln. That said, we are also descendants of a Northern President who remains a stain on American history. That man with his pro-slavery ignorance, lack of empathy, greed and hunger for power was insatiable at the expense of so many innocent people. His ignorance over 150 years ago doesn’t define us or our values today.

My great grandmother bravely took a stand for what was right at great cost by kicking my abusive great grandfather out of the house and raising 9 kids on her own during the Great Depression.  I’m told they had their share of eating lard and cornmeal as well as wearing homemade potato sack clothing.

We also have a deceased relative by marriage – she was married at 14YO with parents’ permission to a 20+YO man many decades past. She raised several capable children, built homes and businesses and never considered herself a survivor to my limited knowledge.

In our family history, we have both pride and shame; good and evil; joy and sorrow interwoven. People who will be remembered for their wickedness aside, we accept that there is a measure of good and bad in all of us. We accept that cultures change with time, and sometimes at great cost to the people willing to advocate and even agitate for change. We accept that some of what we practice is just tradition, and not doctrine.  Practices and the way we deal with this issue in particular can and must change significantly.

Our collective and personal past shaped who we are today, and we have some choice in what we dwell on, and what we chose to do with it.  We can choose when and what battles we fight and how we apply ourselves. Many of us are fortunate to have been spared, but we acknowledge that many were not.  We have some choice in practicing resilience when we can find the strength, and we have a duty to protect and help others when we can. If knowing what we know now, in educating ourselves through recurring ministry safe training, we sit and expect others to make all of the changes, we might wait for a long time. 

If we bicker among ourselves, we’ll delay progress. If we ask for or promise the impossible, we’ll remain disappointed. If we stop at training and don’t implement child safe, code of conduct and zero tolerance policies we’ve done way too little.  If we write policies but don’t take action, we’ll have accomplished next to nothing.  If we make assumptions, assuming the worst about people who do not have allegations of this type against them, we’ll collaterally damage people who are also committed to making changes.

That said, we can’t continue with a lack of transparency and failure to report to law enforcement promptly. If we simply look forward with blinders on, and don’t purge the wickedness of the past from among us, it won’t be nearly enough. Let’s advocate for and embrace change together regardless of our differences, encouraging each other in this fight for progress and clearer, better informed thinking and actions. It’s easy to criticize, and I’m sure there is much to criticize in what I’ve already said. I recognize I have a lot to learn.  Let’s focus on the big picture in supporting and helping those who are leading both inside and outside – to offer ideas, and be advocates for change together.

As parents, we recognize a shared responsibility for keeping our children safe, and we expect the enforcement of our laws, together with our communities to help accomplish this goal. We understand there are risks, and we do what we can in our limited knowledge and ability to live life with balance while managing the risks. 

My family lives in a big city. There are registered offenders in our neighborhood, yet I take my kids to the park.  No one notifies me when we go to the park which people are offenders and where they are at any given moment. I go with my children to the park to manage this risk.  I grocery shop where these same people probably shop, and frankly I’m glad I don’t know which ones are offenders or I’d walk around with a curled lip, disgusted by them and probably working on some way to chew them out. 

There have been offending teachers and coaches in the past at other schools, but my kids go to school and play soccer where adults are background checked and supervised with rules for safe interaction. We expect all suspected abusers to be fired promptly, and all potentially impacted families to be notified when these things happen to children in our schools or sports organizations. There have been bullying and harrasment cases at large companies, but my wife and I go to work.

We can’t blame overseers as a group and expect overseers to fix all of our problems. Many of them are working hard on this issue as they are hearing from many of us, and many of them recognize big changes are long overdue like never before, the same as we do.

We share responsibility with our overseers and workers to get informed and make changes.  We can’t blame all workers as a group – that’s naive, unhelpfully oversimplifying this problem, and incredibly unfair. The vast majority are wonderful people.

Some elders and friends have also behaved criminally in the past as have individuals in every other large group of people throughout time and across cultures, but that doesn’t mean that you or I are criminals too.  There have clearly been both many good, and too many who will be remembered as criminal individuals in every profession, country and historical period. There are laws in every nation on earth because of this.

We should have started this long ago, but can’t go back in time. It is our duty to accomplish the necessary changes now in our generation.  In our generation we have both the responsibility and ability to take a stand for what is right, and to stand against what is wrong, to be better informed and advocate for justice.  We should together commit ourselves to that noble purpose. 

It is imperative we make any and every change needed within scripture to purge this evil from among us to the best of our collective ability (I Cor 5).  We acknowledge that we are just getting started, that we are learning and don’t know everything about anything.  We know that significant changes can take time but we expect rapid, continual progress of ourselves and of the group on this issue.  We appreciate the leaders and professionally trained, and want them to take courage in making big changes knowing we support this effort and want to help.  This is the battle of our generation within the fellowship.

Let’s recognize those who are survivors, some of whom may be outside, that have brought this evil to our attention.

We recognize those who have courageously fought for change from the front lines for many years without being heard, and even now are actively working to identify and mitigate the scope of this stain on our history worldwide. While this type of evil has always existed and will always exist, it remains a battle worth fighting. While there is no perfect solution, there are many changes that are long overdue and must be made now.  We can have an impact together on how quickly and thoroughly changes are made. We know which side the Lord is on. We know which side will be perceived as the right one in the arc of history.  I am new to this fight, but I want to help you who are veterans of it to the end. There will not be peace until the necessary changes have been made, nor should there be.

Our family and those I’ve talked with in our state have been encouraged to see appropriate steps finally being taken to confront this issue, remove and report suspects, communicate better, enlist professionals, discuss changes and listen to each other. We’ve discussed these things openly with many parents, family, elders and workers and we are looking forward to further changes going forward. As changes are accomplished we’ll be safer, stronger and better for it.

– One of many

From: Richard Gasser
Date: Wed. May 10, 2023, 11:08 AM
Subject inappropriate Sexual Behaviour
To: Richard Gasser

Dear Friends in the Grand Island & Lincoln area

It is with great sadness that we must send this email.

An anonymous victim has come forward with an accusation, that we believe to be true against Russ Hall for very inappropriate sexual behavior toward a minor.
It has been turned into the proper authorities. At this point we have asked Russ to not attend any meetings, Sunday Meetings, Wednesday Meetings, Gospel Meetings, Special meetings or Convention.

We take absolutely no pleasure in exposing other’s failures. Especially when we consider our own great need of the Mercy of the Lord, However with the case of Sexual behavior with minors it is criminal and must be acknowledged, before it can be helped. The effects of sexual abuse on children Is devastating and long lasting. We have been made aware that by failing to communicate openly about these things can cause ongoing trauma for past victims and make victims afraid to report their own experience.

Here is the 24/7 Child Abuse; Neglect Hotline number for any one to call: (800) 652-1999

Maybe it is best we mention also of several workers that are no longer in the work because of varying accounts of indecent behavior that has come to light in the past few months as well, we are not sure who might have been here to these states to visit? Mark Huddle, John Vandenberg, Braydon Dutton, Robert Flippo.

Though their actions have been very wrong, We plead that no one would show a hateful spirit toward any of these. We are very conscious we are dealing with precious souls and our belief and hope is that Honesty before God and the power of Jesus’ cleansing blood will enable us all to stand before our Eternal Judge one day and be accepted Into his eternal realm

All of our Kansas and Nebraska staff are planning to attend a seminar in Scottsbluff at the beginning of June before the Scottsbluff convention that concerns child abuse and reporting etc. We hope in time, to share some thoughts from that with you as well We are sorry for times in the past that we have not responded like we should to these things and we hope to do better.

With loving Care & Concern
the KS NE Workers

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WINGS Note:

Russ Hall is a former worker who was stationed in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, and Kansas throughout the 80s and 90s and now lives in Nebraska.

Professional advice from a professing law enforcement training officer

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This email is worded rather strongly, but the reality is that I cannot word this strongly enough. 

I have received some questions regarding sex offenders and suspected offenders being in meeting with potential victims and what the threshold should be for notifying parents, caregivers, and potential adult victims when someone has offended or is suspected of being an offender. Bottom line, if someone is convicted of or suspected of being a sex offender, they should not be meeting with those who represent their victims (children, teenagers, single women, sister workers, etc.) and people should always be notified so they can protect the vulnerable as they see fit. Failure to do so is comparable to handing a drug addict illicit drugs and trusting/hoping they won’t use the drugs and hurt someone. Allowing suspected offenders to be around potential victims is irresponsible and those who knowingly allow that to happen may be guilty of a crime if a suspected offender reoffends. I can only speak for the state of Montana, but MCA 45-5-628 (Criminal Child Endangerment) and MCA 45-5-622 (Endangering Welfare of Children) may apply; a conviction is not required in order to mandate steps be taken to protect children. Note that notifications should not be done in a malicious spirit of judgement, but with the intention of protecting the vulnerable. 

It is important to understand that the laws vary quite a bit from state to state and that the proper application of law is often a grey area. What I mean by “grey area” is that it is impossible for the legislature to write laws that specifically cover every single possible scenario, so laws tend to be written simply and are then enforced with a measure of latitude. A lot of people read laws and think “it doesn’t specifically cover this situation therefore it doesn’t apply”. However, law enforcement officers and prosecutors are given discretion to rely on prudent judgement and historical case law when it comes to enforcing laws. The US judicial system is designed so that a jury will decide whether or not the latitude and discretion applied by both the investigating officer(s) and prosecutor is appropriate. Despite this measure of latitude, law enforcement officers and prosecutors still often believe that a crime has occurred but still do not have the proof required for a conviction as beyond a reasonable doubt is a difficult standard to obtain. Because of this, along with the traumatizing effects on a victim of reporting a crime, it is understood that the vast majority of sex and child endangerment crimes go unreported, unpunished, and many offenders remain free. No one should wait for a criminal conviction before taking action to protect the vulnerable. A prudent officer will try to err on the side of protecting the vulnerable when possible. Friends and workers should do the same. With this in mind, parents and caregivers have a moral obligation to not meet with someone they believe may pose a danger. Once again, anyone who attempts to force potential victims to meet with known or suspected offenders may be guilty of a crime. Of greater importance, anyone who knowingly endangers the vulnerable is guilty of a serious moral failure regardless of criminal code application.

Unfortunately, I am receiving many accounts of workers and friends making determinations of risk on their own. It has happened often in the past and it is regrettably happening right now across North America. It is not appropriate for someone who is untrained in sex crimes and survivor trauma to attempt such determinations. Romans 13 1-7 is quite clear that some things are to be left to the law. Sexual deviancy is unquestionably one of those things. Investigating sex crimes requires an understanding of survivor trauma that the untrained do not have. We have learned in recent years that investigating sex crimes requires a completely different approach which has unfortunately caused a lot of legitimate claims to be dismissed by law enforcement in the past. Without going into too much detail, a person who has experienced survivor trauma is often going to behave and communicate in a manner that comes across as unreliable to an untrained person. However, a properly trained and experienced investigator understands that seemingly unreliable survivor trauma behaviors are actually a strong indicator that a crime has occured. This is why determinations of crime should be left to law enforcement officers who are specifically trained in such matters. Risk of re-offense should be left to mental health professionals who are specifically trained in such matters. Knowing what we know now, trying to handle things “in house” rather than turning things over to the authorities is harmful and may be criminal. 

It is everyone’s duty to speak up against actions which put the vulnerable at risk. Many have taken the stance that they are going to sit back, pray, and allow God to handle it. However, God’s work often requires his people to both pray and take action. Faith without works is dead. It may be uncomfortable and unpleasant, but God needs his people to take a stand for what is right. Suspected crimes are to be reported to law enforcement. Those who endanger potential victims need to be counseled. If they fail to take appropriate action, they are to be reported. 

I hope this is helpful. Please feel free to share as necessary. 

M. S.

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Criminal Child Endangerment

45-5-628. Criminal child endangerment. (1) A person commits the offense of criminal child endangerment if the person purposely, knowingly, or negligently causes substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to a child under 14 years of age by:

(a) failing to seek reasonable medical care for a child suffering from an apparent acute life-threatening condition;

(b) placing a child in the physical custody of another who the person knows has previously purposely or knowingly caused bodily injury to a child;

(c) placing a child in the physical custody of another who the person knows has previously committed an offense against the child under 45-5-502 or 45-5-503;

(d) manufacturing or distributing dangerous drugs in a place where a child is present;

(e) operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs in violation of 61-8-1002 or committing aggravated driving under the influence as defined in 61-8-1001 with a child in the vehicle; or

(f) failing to attempt to provide proper nutrition for a child, resulting in a medical diagnosis of nonorganic failure to thrive.

(2) A person may not be charged under subsection (1)(b) or (1)(c) if the person placed the child in the other person’s custody pursuant to a court order.

(3) A person convicted of the offense of criminal child endangerment shall be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both.

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Endangering Welfare Of Children

45-5-622. Endangering welfare of children. (1) A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of a child less than 18 years old commits the offense of endangering the welfare of children if the parent, guardian, or other person knowingly endangers the child’s welfare by violating a duty of care, protection, or support.

(2) Except as provided in 16-6-305, a parent or guardian or any person who is 18 years of age or older, whether or not the parent, guardian, or other person is supervising the welfare of the child, commits the offense of endangering the welfare of children if the parent, guardian, or other person knowingly contributes to the delinquency of a child less than:

(a) 18 years old by:

(i) supplying or encouraging the use of an intoxicating substance by the child; or

(ii) assisting, promoting, or encouraging the child to enter a place of prostitution; or

(b) 16 years old by assisting, promoting, or encouraging the child to:

(i) abandon the child’s place of residence without the consent of the child’s parents or guardian; or

(ii) engage in sexual conduct.

(3) A person, whether or not the person is supervising the welfare of a child less than 18 years of age, commits the offense of endangering the welfare of children if the person, in the residence of a child, in a building, structure, conveyance, or outdoor location where a child might reasonably be expected to be present, in a room offered to the public for overnight accommodation, or in any multiple-unit residential building, knowingly:

(a) produces or manufactures methamphetamine or attempts to produce or manufacture methamphetamine;

(b) possesses any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that contains any combination of the items listed in 45-9-107 with intent to manufacture methamphetamine; or

(c) causes or permits a child to inhale, be exposed to, have contact with, or ingest methamphetamine or be exposed to or have contact with methamphetamine paraphernalia.

(4) A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of a child less than 16 years of age may verbally or in writing request a person who is 18 years of age or older and who has no legal right of supervision or control over the child to stop contacting the child if the requester believes that the contact is not in the child’s best interests. If the person continues to contact the child, the parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of the child may petition or the county attorney may upon the person’s request petition for an order of protection under Title 40, chapter 15. To the extent that they are consistent with this subsection, the provisions of Title 40, chapter 15, apply. A person who purposely or knowingly violates an order of protection commits the offense of endangering the welfare of children and upon conviction shall be sentenced as provided in subsection (5)(a).

(5) (a) Except as provided in subsection (5)(b), a person convicted of endangering the welfare of children shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both. A person convicted of a second offense of endangering the welfare of children shall be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both.

(b) A person convicted under subsection (3) is guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 5 years and may be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000, or both. If a child suffers serious bodily injury, the offender shall be fined an amount not to exceed $25,000 or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both. Prosecution or conviction of a violation of subsection (3) does not bar prosecution or conviction for any other crime committed by the offender as part of the same conduct.

(6) On the issue of whether there has been a violation of the duty of care, protection, and support, the following, in addition to all other admissible evidence, is admissible: cruel treatment; abuse; infliction of unnecessary and cruel punishment; abandonment; neglect; lack of proper medical care, clothing, shelter, and food; and evidence of past bodily injury.

(7) The court may order, in its discretion, any fine levied or any bond forfeited upon a charge of endangering the welfare of children paid to or for the benefit of the person or persons whose welfare the defendant has endangered.

Ronald Lee Schober dob October 8, 1953

WA State records Case 937474 show that Ronald Schober was convicted in a ‘Rape of Child’ case, probably in 1988, and he is known to have served prison time.

He had a previous conviction for lewd and lascivious conduct in 1977, and in 1982 had agreed to undertake counselling in lieu of prosecution for indecent exposure to a child.

Richard Leon Schober dob July 23, 1945, was a worker in the late 1960s. He was caught abusing children at convention and removed from the work but overseers did not pursue charges.

He subsequently married and had children and was reported to have abused many children.

WA State records Case 235974 show that Richard Schober was convicted in an ‘Indecent Liberties’ case, probably around 1982, and he is known to have served prison time.

He is currently living in Alaska and has been reported as exhibiting grooming behaviour. He was allowed to attend meetings since around 2014, despite concern from local families.

Recently he has been removed from physical attendance at meetings but there are still concerns about risk to the community.