Category: News

Subject: Our Journey on the Guidelines Team

Dear WANIDAK Staff,

We hope this email finds you all keeping well. As we reflect on our journey with the guidelines team, we recognize the shared experiences we’ve had together. This journey as we worked to create a safer environment for our fellowship has been filled with both joy and heartache.

When we were approached to join the guidelines team, we felt a profound sense of joy and responsibility. The mission to protect our children and vulnerable members resonated deeply with us, and we saw the great privilege in using our God-given talents to create professional guidelines to serve this purpose. Our aim was to reflect the same loving compassion that Jesus showed during his time on earth. While Jesus’ name was never explicitly mentioned in the guidelines, we strongly feel the guidelines we developed mirrored His heart for the children and the vulnerable among us.

The advantages of the guidelines we developed were clear: they aimed to foster a secure environment where all could feel safe, respected, and cared for by each and every one of us. We worked hard to create guidelines that truly embodied the spirit of our fellowship, making trust and safety paramount, while also ensuring fair and consistent treatment that provided hope for all victim survivors and offenders alike. Ultimately, we felt we upheld professional and best practice standards and simultaneously offered the pathway to restoration and peace. We were able to acknowledge the past and current hurt, recognize the responsibility we all have towards victim survivors, and show that we understood the need for accountability by those who have offended so gravely.

However, as we made progress in our journey, we encountered significant resistance from some in the ministry for a variety of reasons. We heard concerns that our Guidelines did not allow for discretion in decision-making, discounting what some perceived as repentance on the part of offenders, being too harsh towards perpetrators, and even that the scope of the problem seemed exaggerated and would be sufficiently addressed through the education already received. Overall, the ministry expressed concerns that the guidelines felt restrictive and corporate, that they were brittle, that needy sinners called perpetrators will be cut off from the help that they need, that they were too tight and demanding. and that they hindered the preaching of the gospel. There was resistance to our incorporation of various resources for victim survivors due to the groups involved in these resources. There were complaints that the guidelines were too lengthy, too detailed, or included strong language.

After our meeting in Walla Walla, we on the team felt like we had taken a step forward and were opening the door to allow for collaboration to address the concerns that did not interfere with the professional best practices conclusions we were asked to create. We did incorporate the changes that were applicable, clarifying, and appropriate. But as weeks progressed, there was a sense of discouragement as we continued to receive the same comments and questions that we had already addressed, and there seemed very little flexibility or openness to consider our perspective from the ministry. It’s likely that some of you felt the same from us. We received both public and private feedback that expressed offense on the part of some of the staff due to perceptions that we were attempting to restrict or control your role by providing expectations for conduct, as well as offense that the ministry seemed to be ‘targeted’ and was being unfairly spoken of with regard to the rate of offenders.

We also received resistance related to our minimum requirement of a yearly, one-hour training by the ministry and elders, which was disheartening. To us, this communicated a belief that the education you had received thus far was sufficient, and that the hurt of victim survivors and a need to increase safety was less important than having to give one hour a year to refresh your memory on awareness of grooming and patterns of abuse. Relatedly, it felt as though all we were hearing were cries again and again on behalf of the offenders, about the impact on their lives, and about possible false allegations; and yet, we received very little communication about the care and love for the victim survivors. Given our empathy, understanding and experience with the deep trauma of abuse, as well as some of our own identities as survivors, this felt like another blow and a disheartening step away from the love of Jesus.

Some in the ministry did not endorse the work of the professionals partly because those of us writing them had not been selected by the ministry itself. One of the most hurtful aspects of this process was receiving criticism from the staff on our professional qualifications, our motives, and most importantly, our spirits. Some of this criticism and negativity was voiced directly to us, but even more hurtful, was learning these views about us were being voiced to others. There were those among you spreading misinformation about our character, our spirit, our scriptural knowledge and understanding, our intentions, and the contents of the guidelines. It is undeniable that many of us in the fellowship experienced a loss of trust in the ministry 15 months ago, but the recent perceptions and statements we learned of that were made about us or made about our current crisis at large felt like another devastating blow and a further fracturing of trust.

In the past weeks, new conversations arose. We heard concerns about investigations because GRACE captured some of the other underlying problems in our fellowship apart from CSA and SA. There were also conversations about the guidelines being re-traumatizing to those who had moved on through the grace of God; though again, there was no mention of those victims who are still hurting and still crying out. We began to see the ministry turn back to the way these terrible problems and hurts were mishandled in the past: with so-called Spirit-led discretion by the ministry. While many of you may have found a palpable sense of peace in the recent workers’ meeting, many of the rest of us felt the opposite. We felt despair that all of our efforts, our conversations, and our pleadings of the last year had all amounted to the ministry choosing to preserve their own power and authority above all else.

As time passed, it became evident that the ministry’s path was diverging from ours. We learned of the creation of ‘modified’ versions of our own work, and then of conversations of scriptural guidelines, and then a turn towards a minimalist set of guidelines. While our task and purpose was to create comprehensive protections, the continued passage of time revealed the ministry valued an approach much different than we had envisioned.

In the end, we realized that for the benefit of our community, particularly the families with children to protect, we needed to move forward and publish the guidelines. Maybe some of you have felt that we were being prideful, vindictive, or seeking conflict when you learned we were publishing our guidelines. This was not the case. In fact, our decision to do so was a prayerful and thoughtful leading in which we were all settled in peace. While this journey has been fraught with challenges, we remain hopeful that these guidelines will serve as a foundation for safety and trust within our fellowship.

Thank you for taking the time to read about this journey. We are sure that some of our feelings and experiences may mirror some of your own, as is often the case when two paths diverge. We are hopeful that we can find a way to align our efforts for the greater good of our community, and that, above all else, we feel and show an unending love for God. There is a deep sense of gratitude on our team that we were a part of this process. The fellowship we have experienced with each other and the friendships we have found along the way are encouraging and invaluable.

Warm regards,

The Guidelines Team

WINGS Note: For background, see

WANIDAK ‘Unapproved’ Guidelines

WA NID AK Staff Discussion re Guidelines

A small team of four professionals plus one worker liaison have been working on regional guidelines for the WANIDAK region, at the request of the overseer Darryl Doland. However, Darryl recently made the decision to be aligned with other overseers around the country and to scrap the WANIDAK project in favor of the very vague, 2 page document Oregon has been using. 

The WANIDAK Guidelines Team decided to share their work widely for the benefit of many of the friends who have been asking for a safer path forward. If nothing else, it offers a model for dealing with CSA/SA within the system, and may help families set safer boundaries in their own lives and homes. The following content is from the WANIDAK Guidelines Team.

Dear all, 

We want to acknowledge the hurt and suffering of all victim survivors in our fellowship, known and unknown. We see you, we hear you, we believe you, and we grieve alongside you for the pain you have experienced. Thank you for your bravery and your courage in being on the front line in our current crisis.

Each of us on the guidelines team were drawn to serve in this manner because of a deep love for God, a love for others, especially the vulnerable, and a desire to see the necessary changes to making this fellowship safer for all. Over the past five months, we have poured our hearts, and, importantly, our expertise as professionals into these guidelines. The final product is a culmination of countless hours of research, discussion, thought, prayer, and consultation, and we firmly believe that it adheres to best practices in the reporting and addressing of CSA and SA.

It was our hope and prayer that there would be a unity shown forth to the fellowship from the guidelines team and the ministry that would exemplify a deep care for victims, an unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, and a recognition and adjustment of unsafe practices. In the past month, following open discussion with the staff, the opportunity for the ministry to ask questions, give feedback, or express concerns, and continued conversations had within the ministry themselves, progress stalled. Ultimately, we provided a finalized copy of the guidelines according to professional standards and best practices, and this has been met with resistance from some of the ministry.

The final decision was made to not implement the guidelines our group produced. Rather, the ministry decided to pursue brief, ambiguous guidelines that rely on the workers to make decisions in conjunction with the elders, and the safety team should that team continue to exist. These shifts away from professional expertise while allowing for ministry-based decisions about the handling of CSA/SA are not something this guidelines team can support or condone. We found it imperative to release the official version of our guidelines for the purpose of transparency and in the hope of encouraging the ministry, and the fellowship at large, to adopt practices that promote safety. We want to make it abundantly clear that the attached version of the guidelines is the only product of our work that has our endorsement and support.

Even though these guidelines were not ultimately accepted or implemented, we believe that we can each take on the responsibility to make many of these things common practice and to keep each other accountable. We encourage you to read these guidelines as an educational tool, keep them as a reference guide, and most importantly use these concepts to help guide these difficult natural choices and conversations with people. We encourage the friends and the ministry to use this document to make safe choices. We implore everyone to please be mindful of the children and vulnerable among us and to do all we can to protect them. We can all show love by raising our voices in support of survivors and by all being active to hold offenders accountable for their actions. 

It has been a privilege to be a part of this team and to dedicate our efforts into the hope for a safer fellowship. Our hearts are grieved at the direction this journey has gone, and for those who are mourning, we mourn with you. 

We are sending out four documents: (1) the background leading to the creation of guidelines; (2) a summary of the guidelines; (3) frequently asked questions (FAQs); and (4) the full WaNIdAk proposed guidelines. Please feel free to reach out to us in the future if you need assistance, have questions, or have any concerns. 

With care, 

The WaNIdAk Guidelines Team

Summary of the Guidelines:

1. All adults in our fellowship are expected to be mandatory reporters.
2. Sunday, Union, and Wednesday meeting elders (and wives) need to complete MinistrySafe training yearly. Elders should create and foster a safe environment for all, especially for children and those who are vulnerable. Legally, elders would be considered clergy.
3. There are consequences for unacceptable and criminal behavior.
4. All CSA allegations must be reported to authorities. SA victims are encouraged to report to authorities. We will never attempt to handle allegations “in-house,” or to shield perpetrators from the justice system. We realize the justice system helps offenders by holding them accountable for their crimes.
5. A Safety Team, composed of a team of friends and one worker liaison, will ensure compliance with policy, including facilitating:
   a. Help for victims of abuse.
   b. Third-party investigations regarding allegations.
   c. Therapy, meeting restrictions, and a Safety Plan for perpetrators.
   d. Appropriate communications.
   e. Tracking of Red Flag behaviors and concerns.
   f. Consequences for policy violations.
6. All past and present CSA and SA allegations will be taken seriously and handled professionally. Allegations will result in an immediate suspension of fellowship while:
   a. Appropriate reports are made.
   b. A professional investigation takes place (if needed).
   c. Appropriate therapy is completed (typically 12 months or more).
   d. Appropriate safeguards are established.
7. After therapy, a safety plan will be created and closed (designated, all-volunteer) meetings may be established for perpetrators, depending on the recommendation of their therapist. Offenders will continue to be restricted from attending gospel meetings, special meetings and conventions in person to keep these gatherings safe for everyone and to help offenders avoid triggers and temptation.
8. Expectations for all adults, with additional provisions for elders and workers, are included and are expected to be followed by all adults in the fellowship. These include basic safety precautions, such as that no adult should be alone with a child in an isolated area unless they are the parent, guardian, or a designated caregiver.
9. These guidelines are based on best practices and backed by professional standards and research.

Two weeks ago WINGS reported on the December 2023 Zoom call with the Arkansas Missouri Oklahoma Task Force and Craig Winquist, where Craig announced that he felt that there should not be any formal Child Safety policy.

Now we have learned that the Washington, North Idaho, Alaska staff had a meeting on June 4, 2024, where they discussed significant reservations about their proposed guidelines.

See audio recording https://youtu.be/PthIdsztZ9E

and a lightly edited transcript

Some of the issues being discussed were:

1. An amazing number of people in the fellowship have been victims and perpetrators in the past but some have moved on with God’s grace and should not be re-traumatised by having their cases re-opened.
2. Other people are still traumatised and need help and support.
3. Some of those people are still anonymous.
4. The Grace Investigation is not seen as a positive outcome by some, and not seen as a good basis for all future cases. There is concern that funds donated by friends should not be used to pay for external investigations.
5. George Peterson issued some guidelines based on selected scripture, characterising the fellowship as a family, rather than an organisation.
6. There is a belief that guidelines/policies are only appropriate for corporates and formal organisations, not for the fellowship ‘family’.
7. Issuing universal guidelines creates risk that the whole organisation might be sued and suffer financial cost, whereas regional guidelines with some differences may provide legal protection.
8. Issuing policies Is likely to be divisive. Failing to issue policies is also likely to be divisive.
9. Issuing guidelines based solely on scripture is less likely to be divisive, for those who believe in the truth and adequacy of scripture. It isn’t clear whether Old Testament scripture is as relevant as New Testament scripture, nor is it clear how various scripture references are to be interpreted and applied to specific CSA circumstances.
10. There is clear agreement that all accusations should be reported to authorities, and that education is necessary for all – workers, families, etc.
11. A lot is left to the discretion of workers and elders if there aren’t clear guidelines.
12. Perpetrators should not be cut off from the help they need, IF they are willing to seek help.
13. Issuing guidelines will help people understand that the fellowship is taking the matter seriously.
14. Guidelines will promote fairness, to avoid advantaging the well-known and well-connected people and disadvantaging the less well-known. Even safety teams can be biased by family or friendship connections, and those conflicts should be resolved by open discussion (Matthew 18).
15. Issuing guidelines will show to the authorities that the fellowship is taking it seriously and has accountability.
16. The bible is relevant for spiritual matters but not for matters such as physical health.
17. Issuing and talking about guidelines will help everyone recognise that the subject can be discussed/reported and should not be hidden.
18. A safety team of elders and professionals can be of great help to ensure appropriate decisions and actions are taken, as it may not be clear to workers what action should be taken.
19. The workers are not smarter than lay members, who may have better understanding of what’s going on in the world.
20. Decisions about CSA policies may cause a major divide in the fellowship.
21. Trying to please the majority is a political decision, not scriptural. Scripture teaches to seek and support the one lost sheep, rather than prioritising the majority.
22. Guidelines are needed because there is a history of overseers making horrible, atrocious, mistake after mistake over the last century.

WINGS observes that:

• There is still widespread lack of knowledge of the enormous number of perpetrators and victims, with the likelihood that there will be many more reports, especially in other countries where there has been minimal publicity.
• Many people have left the fellowship because of CSA disclosures and concern about how they have been, or are being, handled.
• Some countries and regions have no guidelines/policies, and others have documents of varying quality/relevance.
• There is widespread belief by workers that actions should be guided by common sense and the Spirit, yet that has failed over the last century. Being spirit-led, i.e. doing what I feel is right, has resulted in rampant dishonesty, manipulation and harm to thousands of victims and has violated Christ’s principles, virtues, compassion, truth and even basic justice.
• There has been minimal progress in providing support for victims, such as funding for therapy, even though the fellowship is reported to have many millions of accumulated funds.
• The dynamics of this subject show tension between overseers as rulers of the fellowship, and experienced educated elders who observe the many bad decisions that have been made by overseers, and have therefore created guidelines to support victims and minimise the risk of harm to further vulnerable children.
• Minimising the risk of harm to children and supporting past victims should be the guiding objectives.

WINGS intends to post a series of questions, to allow anyone to contribute suggestions of what should be done better to reduce the risk and minimise the number of cases of harm to children, and to support victims of past abuse.

Posted online by the author.

I feel an urgency to make those who have their eyes open and want to be made aware of their surroundings, familiar with my situation.

I sent the following letter to AC and GE as they are in charge of Dunnville convention. I did receive a message back from GE, however he is not in the place of power to make decisions. The only message received from AC was that he would look into the matter and get back to me. To date, I have still not heard anything.

Below is the letter I sent last week after feeling very convicted about sitting on the sidelines for this long; I would not be able to forgive myself should something happen to another child because I continued to be silent.

Good Morning GE and AC,

Hope you are both doing well.

Today I reach out with a heavy heart, and apologize for not addressing this matter sooner. I feel this message is long overdue but I have not had the courage to speak up to this point, nor have I wanted to stir up the past for various reasons. So, I have been trying to manage it quietly in the background to avoid causing any further issues or confrontations.

To provide some background, I was sexually abused by my older brother BL from what I can recall 10 years of age until I was 15. I believe it started earlier, but my memories are unclear or I may have suppressed it. I reported this behaviour to my school guidance counsellor when I was 12, and they intern had obligations to report it to children’s aid, where there is a record of this. I also reported a second time just before I turned 15 years old, to which the police were involved. I have spent many years dealing with this trauma and only recently, (approximately 2 years ago) found peace within myself to let it go and I hold no ill will towards BL, (which makes coming forward even more difficult).

Recently, a list of individuals with allegations was circulated by someone who attended KC funeral in January, and it included my brothers name. This list was forwarded to me, and it had a profound impact. Firstly, it triggered my past trauma, and secondly, it raised a fear that my brother may have harmed others, and there was another victim; I still do not have the answer to this today.

Additionally, about 12 years ago, when BL visited our home in BC and my daughter was less than a year old at the time, an incident occurred that alarmed both my husband and I. Given my brothers history, we strongly felt and still feel he intended to sexually abuse our daughter. Thankfully she was a light sleeper and woke up crying while he was in her room hopefully preventing any harm. Since then, BL has not been welcome in our home.

I bring this to your attention because yesterday morning, I woke up with an overwhelming feeling that BL could be a danger to children at convention. I felt compelled to speak with him first and ask him not to attend convention and to make alternate arrangements to listen online instead. He became defensive and has not responded since I declined his offer to have a conversation on the phone, as in the past when I have accepted this offer I have felt attacked and manipulated. However, I believed it was the right thing to do by giving him the opportunity to make the right choice before reaching out to you both.

There are many who will be attending Dunnville that are aware of my situation with BL and the threat he posed to our daughter. I did not want this to reach the point of sending a message to you, and hoped I could have gotten through to him yesterday. I feel a profound urgency that he could be a danger to children at convention and this urgency gives me the courage to speak up.

Convention is a special sacred place and I fear that his presence at convention could trigger other victims or endanger innocent children. I ask you to see the urgency in this matter and pray about it for clarity, as I do not want to overlook this strong feeling I have had, and risk an innocent child’s safety, wellbeing or future.

Thank you for your consideration in protecting the children who will be at Dunnville or any other conventions BL may want to attend.

Please feel free to reach out should you need further clarification.

Thanks,

JH (nee L)

This lengthy report has been prepared by Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE) regarding allegations that Larry Getz engaged in sexual misconduct, directly or indirectly related to his role at Friends and Workers. The Report was commissioned by the Washington / Northern Idaho / Alaska Overseers in the hope of learning from history and moving the church toward healing and a future where the risk of abuse is lessened.

The victim has provided this report to WINGS and requested that we publish it, provided comments are blocked due to the possible comments that may occur.

Some content has been redacted as it is sensitive and pertains to the victim’s experience. The redacted information has been thoroughly investigated by GRACE and is not needed to understand the findings; it does not change the outcome of the report.

Please remember:

1 . There is a person behind every investigation. A person who is giving up a lot to be there. A person who feels and a person who could be hurting. Try to put that person’s well-being before your own wishes or preferred outcome. Know that a conclusion will come and there is a lot that is going on that you do not know of.

When speaking to others, remember that the survivor could be the person you are talking to. Speak with love and grace.

Respect and believe all victim-survivors. They should not have to prove that they have been harmed. Even more so when the victim-survivor is a child. Hear them, support them and act accordingly.

A 6-page summary has been prepared by the Washington, North Idaho & Alaska Advocacy Group.

Download or listen to the complete audio version below:

The full GRACE report includes (at Appendix A, page 52) the results of a survey of 716 people identified as previously attended or currently attending meetings in Western and Eastern Washington, Alaska and North Idaho. 574 people (68% current members, most for more than 20 years) responded. 10% were current or ex workers.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction   2
A Background on Friends and Workers   3
B. Background on Larry Getz and Allegations of Sexual Misconduct           7
II. METHODOLOGY         8
A Interviews      8
B. Documentation Information  8
C. Survey 9
III. FINDINGS      9
A. Allegations of Sexual Misconduct by Larry Getz             9
1. Disclosures by RV Approximately 10 to 15 Years Ago   10|
2. Disclosures by RV in 2023        12
B. Knowledge and Response of Friends and Workers Leadership 18
C. Policies           24
IV. FURTHER ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS           30
A. Safety             30
B. Trustworthiness and Transparency     34
C. Peer Support               36
D. Collaboration and Mutuality  39
E. Empowerment, Voice, and Choice       42
F. Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues              43
V. RECOMMENDATIONS 45
A. Invite Collaboration from RV to Plan the Communication of Report      45
B. Publicly Confess Failures and Wrongs 46
C. Make Appropriate Amends to Victims 46
E. Develop and Implement a Plan of Accountability and Participation Guidelines          47
F. Preserve These Events and the Lessons Learned in Institutional Memory                47
G. Provide Shepherding and Care for the Broader Fellowship        48
H. Provide Regular Training and Ongoing Education         48
I. Identify a Point of Responsibility to Lead a Trauma-Informed Approach 50
J. Review and Update Policies Implicated by this Investigation.    51
K. Maintain a Referral System     51
L Collaborate with Other Trauma-Informed Organizations            52
VI. CONCLUSION              52
APPENDIX A: SURVEY RESPONSES             53

WINGS Note: Post updated June 9, 2024 to include a 6-page summary and audio file, prepared by Washington, North Idaho & Alaska Advocacy Group, both approved by the survivor.

The site https://ausnzinfo.com is intended to provide information and support in relation to child safety.

“Child safety is of utmost importance to us. This site has been created as part of our commitment to keeping children safe in our fellowship. It will be regularly checked and updated with resources and information for survivors, supporters, parents and all those who share our responsibility and vision for zero-harm to children. We encourage all visitors to check back frequently for new content and updates.”

The site was set up and will be maintained by (anonymous) members of the overseers’ advisory group. It is signed by the overseers of Australia and New Zealand: Malcolm Clapham, Graeme Dalton, Wayne Dean, Trevor Joll, Alan Mitchell, Stephen Thorpe.

The primary sections are:

Apology
Latest Update
Documents
Support
Resources
Educational
About
Home

It mentions ‘our fellowship’ but doesn’t directly indentify as relating solely to the Friends and Workers.

It appears to be limited to Australia and New Zealand, as there is no reference to overseas victims, including in countries where Australia or New Zealand have leadership.

Many survivors need to access professional therapy. In some countries this may be provided free by Government or local agencies, but in other countries there may be substantial costs.

Some overseers have mentioned the possibility of supporting therapy requirements but there is limited transparency about how to access that support. Other regions have not indicated any possibility of financial support, despite having accumulated funds.

In response to this significant need, several groups have been established with the objective of receiving donations to provide financial support for survivors, including funds for professional therapy.

WINGS appreciates and commends these efforts but has not reviewed the groups listed below. This list may be updated as more information becomes available and will be linked on the WINGS resources page. 

United Open Arms https://www.unitedopenarms.org/ is a newly established non-profit. Their website provides details:

United Open Arms (UOA) is incorporated as a nonprofit entity and 501(c)(3) status is pending with the IRS. UOA is focused on survivor needs within the United States. UOA believes that the creation of a nonprofit organization is the best route to ensure donor and survivor privacy. This structure ensures financial transparency and accountability.

UOA is designed to ensure donor privacy by offering a confidential donation platform. Donors can donate privately and be assured their names remain confidential. UOA are currently accepting donations so that it will be able to provide survivor funding as soon as a third-party intake specialist and claims administrator are in place. For more information, visit the Donate page.

Recognizing that education is one of the most important things that can be done to prevent sexual abuse, UOA is collecting and developing appropriate education materials and making them available through this website. Any training offered will be audience specific and voluntary.

UOA is managed by professional volunteers with expertise in a number of areas including mental health/medicine, finance, communication, law, insurance, technology, and governance. Some board members are survivors of CSA/SA. Board members are volunteers with no compensation for their services. Legally, nonprofits are required to have a board of directors to incorporate as a nonprofit, obtain tax-exempt status, and have a bank account. The board of directors is the governing body that oversees its activities and drives overall strategy. 

The full announcement from United Open Arms is available here:

Other Groups
The following groups also accept donations and support survivors:

Advocates for the Truth https://www.advocatesforthetruth.com/donate

Donations to Advocates for the Truth assist with investigative and legal expenses as well as the cost of therapy programs for victim-survivors worldwide. Donations to AFTT have already helped many victim-survivors by covering the cost of attending therapeutic equine and writing retreats. Advocates for the Truth is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Federal ID 92-3912792.

WaNIdAk Therapy Fund https://www.wanidakag.org/survivor-therapy-funds

This therapy fund is available for survivors of abuse within and affected by the Alaska, North Idaho, and Washington region, regardless of current church participation.  Accepts donations. This not a reporting hotline. Contact WaNIdAkTherapyFund@gmail.com for more information on obtaining funding for therapy. You do not need to share details of your abuse in order to receive support.  Funds are sent directly to your therapist.

ORSID Therapy Fund https://www.orsidtherapyfund.org/

The ORSID Therapy Fund was created as a 501(c)(3) charity to support the therapy costs of survivors in the Oregon, South Idaho region, as well as survivors from other areas abused by the region’s staff. The goal is to remit funds to therapists so survivors can start/continue their healing journey when they are ready.

Current board members are Ryan McKillop, Julia Chang Bullick, Parker LiaBraaten. This is not a reporting hotline. Federal ID 93-3518711.

Bridges and Balm https://www.bridgesandbalm.org/csa-sa-assistance-fund

Bridges & Balm is a 501(c)(3) charity that cares deeply about helping people associated with the home church fellowship at any point in their lifetime. The CSA/SA Assistance Fund is specifically focused on supporting the healing journey of individuals who have survived child sexual abuse (CSA) and adult sexual abuse (SA), perpetrated by someone within or associated with the fellowship. Federal ID 93-4540637.

Board Members/Officers See https://www.bridgesandbalm.org/who-we-are

Paul Svendsen, Treasurer
Jacquie Ryan
Janet Pitcher
Steve Paddon, Secretary
Eric Miller, Vice Chair
David Martin, Chair
Susanna Matingou

Voices for the Truth https://voicesforthetruth.org/donate/

Voices for the Truth is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The sole purpose is to support victim-survivors and others affected by SA or CSA within the fellowship and prevent further SA and CSA. VFTT are composed entirely of volunteers, including victim-survivors, who contribute our time and resources for a common cause in different capacities. VFTT coordinate with the Friends, Workers, former members, and qualified professionals to connect people with the help they need. Gifts help provide professional crisis services, facilitate community training, produce educational materials, and cover essential operating expenses. Federal ID 93-2887857.

VFTT Victim-Survivor Advisory Board:
Selkie Hope
Jeanie McElroy
Abbi Prussack