Author: wingsfortruth2

WINGS Note: The authors are all meeting participants. They fear backlash from writing this. It has been sent to all Australian overseers.

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29th April 2024

Recently, the overseer of Qld issued a statement regarding a worker who has allegations of inappropriate behaviours with children.

Unfortunately, the overseer’s statement contains misinformation. The statement was published on his behalf via workers in regional areas and then through unwitting Elders to the general fellowship. The overseer has refused to respond to many emailed communications to him from members of the church regarding this matter, therefore we felt that a public response was our only choice to make it known that there are inconsistencies in his statement.

We, the families of some of the victims, would like to correct the misrepresentations. Our information has been obtained from correspondence and a face-to-face meeting with the Detective Senior Constable from the Queensland Police Child Abuse and Sexual Crimes Group.

For those who have ongoing concerns regarding the worker’s alleged behaviour, we hope the following information helps provide clarity.

The overseer’s full statement read:

This is to inform everyone that for the second time XXXXX XXXXX has been investigated by the police and thoroughly so, without any charges being laid and the investigation is to proceed no further. None of the allegations made against XXXXX have been substantiated or confirmed and there is no credible evidence that he has ever harmed a child. So we don’t have any reasonable grounds for restricting XXXXX from attending any meetings.

We address the misinformation below:

1 . This is not the second investigation against XXXXX. The current investigation is a continuation of an investigation that began several years prior.

2. The investigation has not been completed.

3. It is correct that no charges have been laid, however it should also be added that this statement is only true up to this point in time.

4. It is misleading to state that the investigation is to proceed no further. The investigation is not closed, it is ongoing. As new information is continued to be obtained, the allegations of harm to children will be continued to be investigated.

5. While it is true that none of the allegations have been “substantiated or confirmed” to any legal standards of proof, the Police have taken all the allegations from children, their families, and the wider community, seriously. According to the police, some allegations clearly fall within the legal definition of causing harm to children. Unfortunately, many victims are unable, or do not wish to come forward, or do not wish to provide evidence in criminal proceedings. The reasons for this are well documented. This does not make their allegations any less credible.

6. The overseer suggests that there is no credible evidence that XXXXX has harmed a child. The police have a number of allegations and witness statements. Some of those statements and evidence do not meet the prosecutorial standard required for a conviction, however each statement helps provide a clear picture of a sustained pattern of behaviour. Regardless of the information collected by the police, there are also multiple witnesses that have brought their accounts before the overseers and workers. Unfortunately, the overseers and workers have not given credence to the victims. Rather, the opposite is true.

7. It is erroneous to suggest there are no reasonable grounds to prevent XXXXX from attending meetings. The statement does not state whether the intention is in private or public places, however, there are reasonable grounds to prevent XXXXX from attending public religious services. It is actually unreasonable for him to attend.

These grounds relate to; the purpose to alleviate the potential risk of harm to children, and the obligation to keep children safe.

These grounds are based on the legal requirements according to QLD law: Failing to take steps to protect children from sexual offenders is an offence.

• A person in a position of power or responsibility within an institution to reduce or remove a known risk of sexual offending against a child by an adult associated with an institution.
• The failure to protect offence applies if you are 18 or older and associated with an institution that has children in its care, supervision or control.
• You know there is a significant risk that another adult also associated with the institution (or who is a regulated volunteer) will commit a sexual offence against a child or children.
• You have the power or responsibility to reduce or remove the risk but wilfully or negligently fail to reduce or remove the risk.

The grounds to exclude XXXXX from meetings is also stipulated within the ‘zero- tolerance’ policy statements written. This policy was and signed personally by all Australian (except WA) and New Zealand overseers, and issued publicly in 2023 

• The correspondence from the overseers’ states that workers will ‘listen’ and ‘believe’ victims who states allegations of child sexual assault.
• The correspondence also says: “There is no place for people who have harmed children in our meetings and conventions; we ask any individual with a history of causing harm, or allegations, or convictions not to attend. This includes public gospel meeting”. 

We would also like to remind overseers that some years ago, when XXXXX was sent to labour in SA, the overseer of SA considered XXXXX’s behaviour around children so disturbing, he removed this worker from the ministry. The SA overseer sent the worker back to Qld on the understanding that he would not be permitted back into the ministry. Unfortunately, and possibly illegally, the worker was allowed back into the ministry by Qld overseers. If the behaviour was considered to be a risk to children then, it should still be considered a risk to children now.

While the statement from the overseer insinuates that the matter is closed, it is not. There is no statute of limitations to report child sexual abuse, therefore victims and their families can still come forward when they are ready. We know that the average time for a victim to disclose child sexual abuse is 23.9 years. Men often take longer to disclose than women. Some victims never disclose.

If you have further information about XXXXX, or any other alleged child sex offences, including grooming, and even if you think it is insignificant, please contact Queensland Police, and more specifically, please contact Child Abuse and Sexual Crimes Group. This also includes reporting those who have failed their legal duty of care to report any possible or alleged breaches.

Please also, consider reporting your story to The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand, so that your information can be added to their database, and you can receive support and advice. Specific contact details for the Detective in charge can also be obtained from The Brave Truth’, ph 0489 994 566.

Signed,

A group of concerned families and survivors.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-28/fbi-investigating-historical-sex-abuse-claims-against-two-by-two/103767698

In a joint statement, the sect’s Australian leaders Malcolm Clapham, Graeme Dalton, Wayne Dean, Trevor Joll, Alan Mitchell, Steven Thorpe, who are based across several states, told the ABC they took allegations of child sexual abuse seriously.

“We are aware of some historic cases where individuals who were respected within the fellowship abused people’s trust,” they said.

“We acknowledge that these matters were not always appropriately addressed in the past, and we are truly sorry for any immeasurable long-term damage to victims.

“We have learnt from these experiences and are constantly reviewing our current practices to keep children safe in our fellowship.”

They said their intention is to partner with an expert external organisation to review their “policies and procedures and provide independent, unbiased advice and recommendations, particularly in relation to dealing with allegations received from third parties where information can be lacking and difficult to substantiate”.

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WINGS Note:

The table below shows some of the key events that have created publicity in Australia. Questions some ask are why did it take so long for overseers to promulgate policies, and are the policies being implemented thoroughly.

2008	WINGS was established with representatives from USA, Canada and Australia. https://wingsfortruth.info/
2012	WINGS published a transcript of a sermon by New Zealand worker Graham Thompson, well known in Australia, which provided clear guidance on dealing with child abuse. https://wingsfortruth.info/responding-to-csa/sermon-by-graham-thompson/
2012	Victorian State Government commenced an enquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Organisations. The report was published in 2013. https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/inquiry-into-the-handling-of-child-abuse-by-religious-and-other-organisations/
2013	A Code of Conduct was published by WINGS, developed with the support of several workers and friends, and issued to provide a model for overseers to use in their various territories. https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/04/01/csa-code-of-conduct-2013/
2013	The Australian Federal Government commenced a Royal Commission Inquiry into CSA in Australian Institutions. The final report was published in 2017 https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/
2013	Publicity in the Melbourne Age about abuse within the fellowship. https://wingsfortruth.info/2013/09/25/articles-in-the-age-melbourne-australia/
2019	60 Minutes Programme in Australia had a 25 minute feature on child abuse cases within the fellowship in Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch
2019 to 2021	Child Safety Codes and Policies were issued in Australian States Victoria, Tasmania, NSW, ACT, South Australia, Northern Territory, West Australia and Queensland. https://wingsfortruth.info/resources/
2023	Australia/NZ Overseers’ Letter to the Church. https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/07/01/australia-nz-letter-to-the-church/
2023	Australian support group ‘The Brave Truth Australia’ created. https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/06/30/australian-support-group-created/
2023	Australia / New Zealand Overseers Create Advisory Group. https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/08/18/australasian-overseers-create-advisory-group/
2023	Convention Guidelines issued, with reminder that Child Safe Policy and Workers Code of Conduct are available on request. https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/10/26/convention-arrangements-for-australia-and-new-zealand/

Dear friends,

I am very sorry to have to write to you today about our brother Albert Clark. We have recently received knowledge of allegations against him of CSA that date to over 40 years ago. In light of this evidence, we have reported what we know to the authorities in the region where it occurred, and we feel it is best for Albert to stop being active in the ministry. Albert is in agreement with this decision.

Albert has expressed that he is sorry for any harm it has caused, directly and indirectly. I appreciate his humility and his acceptance, and we recognize that it is possible that he has never done anything of this nature since that time. At the same time, we have decided that because he has been engaged in that kind of activity, it is better for him not to be in the work now.

Any kind of sexual activity with a child is wrong, according to the law in our country and more importantly, according to God. There are no exceptions to this, and an adult is always responsible for their conduct toward a child. These kind of actions can’t be undone and they often leave psychological scars that last a lifetime. It’s not that it can’t be forgiven, but it seems that it is much better to address it and deal with it no matter how hard it is. We certainly feel for the victims, and want to be a support in the right way.

Especially if one of our workers has done something of this nature, we hope that everyone would feel free to tell us, and feel free report it to the local authorities. It is important for us to know because the workers are circulating in your homes regularly, and we want to do our part to ensure everyone’s safety. We want to remind you also that if you know about someone who is currently a minor and has been or is being abused, you are legally responsible to report it to law enforcement.

I don’t feel qualified to speak a lot about this subject of CSA, but we have learned through studying about it, and through talking with survivors and experienced professionals about it. We know that this is something that usually happens in secret, and it is very difficult to be open about it; for both the victim and the perpetrator. There is often a lot of shame and hurt associated with it. It often doesn’t come to light until many years afterwards. We try to be understanding and empathetic, but really we know that we won’t be able to truly enter into another person’s difficult and traumatic experience. We’re thankful that God understands and He wants to help us to find healing and comfort. We want to help too, and we are praying to know how to be an encouragement and help to those who are burdened by these heavy trials of life.

We believe and know that there is a path forward for every human being, that leads to life with God. No matter what we have done and no matter what has happened to us. That is the simple truth that we are devoting our life to share. We need help from Him to see that path; and we need humility, courage and self-denial to walk in it. We greatly appreciate those who help us to see the path forward, most of all Jesus who is the perfect example. There is no amount of confusion or deception that can hinder us from going forward in this way, as long as we stay close to him, and keep our eyes on him.

Your brother, Jonathan.

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WINGS Note: This is from Johnathon Freeburn in New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada.

Albert Clark has been a worker in Halifax-Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

WINGS Note: This correspondence was marked as Confidential / Not to be distributed, as it included the name of an alleged perpetrator. The Brave Truth have redacted the sensitive details and provided permission for this post. They comment:

On the 16th February 2024, The Brave Truth started communication with Graeme Dalton, State Overseer for New South Wales, Australia with regards to an alleged perpetrator.

We have been very clear with our correspondence to the Overseers and advised previously that will make them aware when we have either 1 Police report, or 3 victim reports without a Police report so they can uphold their own policy of removing alleged perpetrators as per their letter of 1 July 2023. In this case, we have 3 Police reports and also an email in our possession of 2 other Overseers knowing of a victim/s in 2021.

It is heart-breaking for any victim-survivor to see how these cases are dealt with and also very important for the wider ‘friends’ community to understand who they are meeting with.

We are honoured to be able to advocate confidentially for victim-survivors in these situations.

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From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Friday, 16 February 2024 2:31 PM
To: xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com; xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: Confidential: XXXXX XXXXX

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
PO Box 5275 MANLY Q 4179
Email: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org

Confidential letter for Graeme Dalton and Lynn Sherlock only.

Not to be distributed.

Dear Graeme and Lynn,

We are writing to advise you that 3 Police Intelligence Reports have been completed concerning XXXXX XXXXX of (Western NSW). This relates to historical unlawful and indecent dealings of persons under 16 years of age. We bring this notification to you in good faith – understanding we are not personally making allegations, but passing on in a private capacity that separate reports have been made.

As leaders of your church fellowship, and in line with your published written comments, we believe you have an interest in receiving this information as you may want to take specific action.

We would appreciate your confirmation of what action you take as it is important to provide confidential feedback to those who have made the reports to us.

By privately and confidentially sharing this factual information within the protection of Qualified Privilege, we’re hopeful that it will help us all to keep children and vulnerable people safe and we want to work with you as much as possible in order to do this. We anticipate by sharing this information it will help expedite this process.

Sincerely,

Jillian Hishon (for and on behalf of many concerned survivors, friends & children)

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275 Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org P: +61 489 994 566

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From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 21 February 2024 2:17 PM
To: xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Cc: xxxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Confidential: XXXXX XXXXX

Dear Graeme & Lynn,

We are following up our earlier email concerning XXXXX XXXXX as almost a week has now passed and we have not received a response from you.

We would be pleased to hear from you by close of business this Friday (23rd February 2024) that necessary steps have been taken to keep children and other victims of sexual assault safe in the fellowship. Please confirm that XXXXX XXXXX will no longer be attending any church gatherings and the relevant elders have been notified.

It is important that we are able to relay this information to all victim-survivors for them to be assured that there is zero-tolerance, as promised by all Overseers, is being enforced. All correspondence will be added to victim-survivor Police reports.

Whilst our preference is to work with you in relation to information that is supplied to us, if this does not occur, we will have no option but to take the matter further.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, Jillian Hishon

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275 Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org P: +61 489 994 566

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From: Graeme Dalton <xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, 22 February 2024 7:11 AM
To: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Subject: Re: Confidential: XX

Dear Jillian

Thanks for your email and the information you have provided regarding XX.

Our intention is that we want to protect children and act on all information provided to us.

As the allegations mentioned in your email have not come directly from a survivor, I would appreciate further information in assisting us in taking action. This will enable us to comply with the Royal Commission requirements and NSW mandatory reporting requirements.

Would you please provide the following information:

1. That the survivor/s has/have given consent for me to be notified;
2. That the survivor/s has/have given permission for the matter to be raised with the alleged perpetrator;
3. The number of survivors who have made a police intelligence report;
4. The age of the survivor/s at the time of abuse;
5. Place/s where the abuse occurred;
6. The role WW in the fellowship at the time of the abuse; and
7. Timeframe of abuse.

We note your request in relation to privacy and confidentiality, and assure you that we will use this information only for the purpose of acting appropriately to safeguard children in the fellowship.

Please make any survivors aware that we have an application in to the redress scheme and have received ministerial approval, and that I am at all times willing to speak to any survivor with a mediator present, if they feel comfortable.

Regards,

Graeme Dalton

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From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Friday, 23 February 2024 3:09 PM
To: ‘Graeme Dalton’ <xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com>
Cc: xxxxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Graeme,

Thank you for your reply to my emails.

As a result of strict confidentiality parameters here at The Brave Truth, there is very little information that can be given other than what is shared in our standard correspondence.

We appreciate your wish to comply with the Royal Commission requirements, and NSW Mandatory reporting.

In response to your requests for information, in general terms:

• We only notify you (or other Overseers) about an alleged perpetrator if when we have received full consent from the victim-survivor(s) who reported that same perpetrator to us. This is not always the case, there are instances where the victim-survivor is too fearful for this next step to be taken yet.
• We assure you that the victim-survivor understands that matter will be raised with the alleged perpetrator, and the expectation is the perpetrator will be removed from fellowship as per the statement from Overseers on 1 July 2023.
• We can and will share with you how many victim-survivors have made police reports regarding a perpetrator.
• It is inappropriate for us to give you the exact age of the victim at the time of the abuse, we can confirm if they’re under the age of 18. And if consented by the victim-survivor, we may be able to clarify if they were under the age of 10, for example.
• Disclosing the place of abuse is not required. Where we can, we may disclose if it was in a meeting setting versus a social setting.
• We can only name the role the perpetrator had in the fellowship at the time of the abuse, if the victim -survivor remembers and consents to its release.
• Timeframe of abuse is also unnecessary, but if the victim-survivor consents to this being released, we will do so.

Regarding XXXXX XXXXX, we have 3 Police Intelligence reports against him. All victim-survivors in this instance were under 18 years of age at the time of the abuse, which occurred in both Queensland & New South Wales. No other identifying information can be released.

To clarify, I would also like to assure you that we would never say there is a Police Intelligence Report if that wasn’t the case.

On the topic of Private and Confidential communications, Workers recently have proven no understanding of this legal provision, hence our letter dated 05/02/2024. This is particularly concerning in instances where Workers have immediately talked to people, disclosing information. That is very alarming in itself, but doubly alarming as they could unknowingly be speaking with a victim of that same perpetrator. It just cannot happen and because of the lax approach by a number of Workers, it has underscored how very careful The Brave Truth needs to be with what information we share. We don’t make false allegations and I can assure you, any information we share with you has come directly from a victim-survivor.

Sincerely,

Jillian Hishon

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275 Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org
P: +61489 994 566

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From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 11:02 AM
To: ‘Graeme Dalton’ < xxxxxxxx@gmail.com>
Cc: xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Graeme,

As it’s almost 2 weeks since I replied to your email, I would appreciate hearing from you by close of business tomorrow (8th March, 2024) that necessary steps have been taken to keep children and other victims of sexual abuse safe in the fellowship. Please confirm that XXXXX XXXXX will no longer be attending any church gatherings and the relevant elders have been notified.

It is important that we are able to relay this information to all victim-survivors – for them to be assured that there is zero-tolerance being enforced, as promised by all Overseers. All correspondence will be added to victim-survivor Police reports.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

Jillian Hishon

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275
Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org
P: +61 489 994 566

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From: xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, 8 March 2024 8:11 AM
To: ‘The Brave Truth Aus & NZ’ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Jillian,

Thanks for your email and the matter with XX is still progressing.

Kind regards,

Graeme

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From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 13 March 2024 1:36 PM
To: xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Graeme,

Further to information I have shared with you earlier, Xxxxx Xxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxx were made aware of accusations against XXXXX XXXXX in 2020. 1 am in receipt of an email sent to Xxxxx on 8 August 2020, to which he replied on 10th August 2020 saying he would be making Xxxxxx Xxxx aware. They were given details of victims to contact.

Also, (NSW) Police contacted me after you’d been to see them recently. I was grateful for the opportunity to let them know about the letter written on 1 July 2023 from Australian & New Zealand Overseers with regards to contacting you if there was anything to report and exactly what part The Brave Truth plays in this and also shared information with him about the very current International FBI Investigation.

Please let me know ASAP how things are progressing with XXXXX XXXXX so I can let the victim-survivors know that this is being taken seriously.

Kind Regards,

Jillian Hishon

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275
Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org
P: +61 489 994 566

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From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ<bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:14 AM
To: xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Graeme,

Can you please advise by COB today 20th March 2024 that the necessary steps have been taken to keep children and other victims of sexual abuse safe In the fellowship. Please confirm that XXXXX XXXXX will no longer be attending any church gatherings and the relevant elders have been notified.

It is important that we are able to relay this information to all victim-survivors for them to be assured that there is zero-tolerance being enforced, as promised by all Overseers. All correspondence will be added to victim-survivor Police reports.

Kind Regards,

Jillian Hishon

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275
Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org
P: +61 489 994 566

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From: xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, 22 March 2024 1:59 PM
To: ‘The Brave Truth Aus & NZ’ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Jillian,

In reference to this email the matter with XX is still progressing.

Kind regards,

Graeme

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From: xxxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 2:21 PM
To: ‘The Brave Truth Aus & NZ’ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Subject: re XX

Dear Jillian

I refer to our email correspondence of 22/02/2024 and 29/02/2024.
Noting that we are guided by the Royal Commission recommendations to establish plausibility, and in the absence of an allegation direct from a survivor or having further information of the nature previously requested, I am unable to take the matter further.
If you are able to provide the information requested in my email of 22/02/2024 I will review the matter.

Kind regards

Graeme

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From: The Brave Truth AU & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2024 11:03 AM
To: xxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Cc: Wayne Dean <xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: re XX

Dear Graeme,

Thank you for your email of 2nd April 2024.

The information we have provided from victim-survivors of xxxxxxxxxxxx is plausible, including the information about him that was provided after he was appointed as an elder, to Wayne Dean and then Graham Snow in August 2020. The matter was clearly investigated then by the relevant Overseers and some action was taken.

In relation to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse we note your reference to plausibility (Recommendation 16.52). This recommendation references the religious institution’s complaint handling policies. Other recommendations refer specifically to complaint-handling policies and procedures:

• Recommendation 16.5 – requests all religious institutions implement the 10 Child Safe Standards which reference the requirement to have effective complaint-handling policies and procedures
• Recommendation 6.6 – Standard 6 requires all religious institutions to have effective, transparent complaint-handling systems, policies and procedures in place
• Recommendation 16.41 – requires all religious institutions to make provision for family and community involvement by publishing all policies relevant to child safety on its website
• Recommendation 16.51 – all religious institutions’ complaint handling policies should require that, upon receiving a complaint of child sexual abuse, an initial risk assessment is conducted to identify and minimise any risks to children
• Recommendation 16.54 – requests religious institutions to apply the same standards for investigating complaints of child sexual abuse whether or not the subject of the complaint is a person in religious ministry

We have been advised by members of your church (a number of whom directly support TBTA) that your complaint handling policies and procedures have not been developed or published. As a result, it is unclear how complaints are handled, how investigations are conducted and how decisions are determined.

In our view, this is unsatisfactory given the seriousness of the problem in the fellowship and the comprehensive nature of the Royal Commission’s recommendations which were made over six years ago.

Unfortunately, there is little evidence at this point that child safety is embedded in any meaningful way in the leadership, governance and culture of the fellowship (Child Safe Standard No. 1 of the Royal Commission recommendations). It is also clear that there will be a progressive trust deficit if cases that are brought to your attention continue in this manner.

We acknowledge it is your crisis to manage as you see fit, however, we will let victim-survivors know your stance in this and forward this correspondence directly to the FBI to add to their investigation.

Kind Regards

Jillian Hishon & Ross Bowden

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275
Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org
P: +61 489 994 566

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WINGS Note: We have been advised that the workers/overseers believe that they have not been given sufficient specific information to act against the alleged perpetrator, and that even the Police reports might have insufficient details.

We encourage prompt and open communication between overseers and people reporting allegations.

From: Cynthia Liles <cynthia@aftt.org>
Date: Sun, Apr 7, 2024 at 12:40 PM
To: Kent Williston <Email redacted>, Rob Newman <Email redacted>
Cc: Lauren Rohs <Email redacted>

Kent, it has come to my attention that a Jay Wilson survivor, [Name1 redacted], has emailed you THIRTEEN times. Rob, I understand you have been cc’d on two of those. It is my understanding B has not received one response from either one of you. You are walking by the wounded and bleeding in the ditch. I’m not sure how you sleep at night.

Regarding the [Name2 redacted] allegation – no, the facts of the allegation do not need to be clarified. There is no mistake and the survivor is not an undependable source. I have confirmation [redacted] (will) further corroborate the facts of this allegation. You should know by now that I do not release the name of an alleged perpetrator unless I am confident in the merits of the allegation.

I am astounded at the lack of humanity on the part of the ministry. Surely you can do better.

Cynthia Liles
The Advocates for the Truth Team
advocatesforthetruth@gmail.com
Survivor Hotline: (503)386-4634
Contact Us — Advocates For The Truth

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From: Rob Newman <Email redacted>
Date: Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 9:18AM
To: Cynthia Liles cynthia@aftt.org

Cynthia,

For a number of reasons, this will be our final response to your communications. If you have information about past or ongoing criminal activity, we implore you to report it to the proper authorities. We remain willing, as always, to cooperate with the authorities in any investigations which are the result of your reports. If you choose to send us adequate details, we will report it to the authorities.

Rob

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WINGS absolutely supports the reporting of allegations to authorities. That is necessary and appropriate. However it is not sufficient. Counselling and support for the victim and close family is necessary. The local and wider Church needs clear communication, to protect families and the integrity of all members, and in contemplation that there may be other victims. The alleged perpetrator should not attend meetings where the victim or their family or any other children may be present. The Church can not pass all responsibility to law enforcement agencies. The front line of responsibility lies with families and Church leadership – elders, workers and overseers.

Failure to act is being an accessory to a crime. Protecting children should be a priority.

Subject: Special Meetings

Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2024 20:09:41 -0700

From: Mary Jo VanDermyden

To: Jennika Alexander; Joe Alexander; Sally Alexander; Lois Austin; Ken Beckman; Trude Bergh; Margaret Blair; Cortney Blanchard; Maja Boren; Scott Boswell; Virginia Boyd; Heather Boyd; Laura Brist; Brian Buckingham; Trisa Chavez; Jill Christianson; Pam Conrad; Richard DenHerder; Marilyn Denio; Shirley Doolittle; Dena Easley; Neil Evans; Kimberly Floyd; Ted Foster; Teri Foster; Brian Frandsen; Reta Fuhrman; Nate Galuza; Evelyn Gerlund; Debbie Gillette; Jeff Gillie; Andrea Gronley; Kara Grow; Ryan Grow; Brett Hammett; Heather Hansen; Susan Hansen; Mililani Hatada; Heidi Havlicek; Harold Hilton; Joyce Jackson; Craig Jacobsen; Monica Jantzef; Lily Kirschvink; Esther Layman; Lori Layman; Joe Layman; Robin Layman; Jath Lazaro; Jaime Lucero; Nhu Ma; Thien Ma; Brett Major; Mark Mannlein; Corlé May; Karleen McDowell; Edith Moreno; Lauren Morton; Dan Nejely; Rob Newman; David Olson; Donovan Olson; John Parish; Linda Passage; Marian Pitcher; Tiffaney Sandon; Barbara Stearns; Sara Stickland; Larry W. Taylor; Karen Tenniswood; Claudia Toppin; Lisa Vandenberg; Ronda Visser; Tamara Wagner; Bill Walker; Susan Weichert; Kent Williston; Jonathan Wright; Dick Wulf; Kelsay Yung; Robyn Hill;
(CA/AZ.NV staff)

Hi Sally, Kent, Harold, Rob, et al,

With special meetings coming up, I have the same question I had this last fall… are pedophiles, or anyone with allegations, welcome to the meetings?
If they are, I will not be attending.

If you want a safe environment, may I suggest:

Have Elder monitors at the doors of each meeting place with a list of all that have allegations of CSA or SA….

Have a plan for their removal….

Make each one on the list aware that if they violate these boundaries, there will be consequences….

Every special meeting needs to have the same, comprehensive list of perpetrators of evil….

In hope something will be done,

Mary Jo VanDermyden

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