An open letter to Friends in Victoria and Tasmania

From WINGS staff

Dear friends,

We regret writing this type of letter to you, but it is necessary to do so considering the serious nature of what we are about to write. This letter is for every one of the VIC/TAS list of friends. Many of you would not have children in your care, but you may be grandparents or otherwise have special concerns. We have become aware that there is information circulating so we want to end the speculation and give you the facts as we are so far able to share.

Staff of WINGS include current and ex members of our fellowship of Friends and Workers. We have no agenda or motive beyond seeking the safety of our children from sexual abuse, and healing for past victims. It is our belief that by openly tackling any such issues should they arise, in a legally correct manner, the fellowship will only grow in integrity and with its reputation enhanced. By seeking to deny or cover over such issues, the reputation of the fellowship can only suffer. It seems improbable that God could bless a ministry that knowingly failed to deal correctly with any worker who had sexually abused children.

In July 2010 we became aware that some women had spoken of their experiences as little girls, molested regularly over many years by a well known and respected senior worker. We understand that the said worker has confessed to molesting sexually at least six girls, and there may be further victims. The girls ages range from 9 to early and mid teens. The sexual abuse happened on convention grounds and in homes and public places.

Because of the serious and criminal nature of these allegations, we feel that it is our responsibility to alert you to this situation at this time, as this worker has had the opportunity to visit many families with young girls throughout the past 30-40 years.

This letter serves to inform all parents and other caregivers that you should at first opportunity have a conversation with any child in your care, to determine if inappropriate sexual behaviour has taken place. Molestation can have serious emotional, psychological and spiritual effects on a child, and this issue should be taken very seriously. If your child has been molested, he or she may be confused about what happened. It’s common in these situations for the child to feel that anything inappropriate that happened was somehow their fault. A pedophile will frequently tell the child that what he does with them is a secret and they should not tell anyone about it.

If you are aware or learn of any inappropriate sexual behaviour, you should immediately call the authorities in your local area.

In regards to the above mentioned worker, he is no longer in the work in Victoria/Tasmania or anywhere else. He will not be afforded the opportunity as a servant of God, to be a risk to children any longer. We can all be grateful to the senior workers who understood the seriousness of this matter and took these steps immediately.

Romans 13 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.”

 

These words were not written to strangers but to God’s people letting them know we are not exempt from the law and we must comply. It is referring to the civil authorities as being given to us by God. They too are subject to God’s sovereign power.

From the WINGS staff.

There is some information attached below in regards to pedophiles and tips on how to discuss this with your child.

PDF for download: HowToTalkToChildren

 

Information on Child Sex Offenders

How many victims does a child molester average?

Interviews guaranteeing complete confidentiality and immunity from prosecution, conducted by Emory University psychiatrist Dr. Gene Abel uncovered that:

• Male offenders who abused girls had an average of 52 victims each.
• Men who molested boys had an astonishing average of 150 victims each.
• Only 3% of these crimes had ever been detected.

How do child molesters get into situations where they can exploit children?

Due to the nature of their sexual addiction, few pedophiles are able to resist their powerful urges to initiate contact with children and will go to great lengths to do so.
Common strategies include:

• Befriending parents, particularly single patents, to gain access to their children.
• Offering babysitting services to overextended parents or caregivers.
• Taking jobs and participating in community events that involve children.
• Attending sporting events for children and/or offering to coach children’s sports.
• Volunteering in youth organizations, offering to chaperone overnight trips.
• Loitering in places children frequent – playgrounds, malls, game arcades. Etc.
• Spending time in Internet gaming and social communities, learning the online interests and lingo of youngsters.
• Becoming foster parents.

Wouldn’t a vigilant parent be able to detect a child molester, just by their actions?

Net necessarily. Always remember:

• Pedophiles are notoriously friendly, nice, kind, engaging and likeable.
• Pedophiles target their victims, often Insinuating themselves into that child’s life-their family, school, house of worship, sports and hobbies.
• Pedophiles are professional con artists and are expert at getting children and families to trust them.
• Pedophiles will smile at you, look you right in the eye and make you believe they are trustworthy.

Source: www.childluresprevention.com/research/molester.asp