Tag: child sexual abuse

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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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. 

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350288807/abuse-survivor-speaks-out-about-secretive-2×2-cult

Sinead Gill May 25, 2024

As a child, Damian Townsend was discouraged from making friends with anyone outside of the Christian group he was part of for 20 years.
MONIQUE FORD / THE POST

Former members of a secretive religious sect – under an FBI investigation overseas – want New Zealand authorities to investigate abuse within a group some call a cult. Sinead Gill reports.

Damian Townsend wasn’t allowed to watch TV, listen to music, or join a local sports team like other kids did when he was growing up.

He went to public school, but was discouraged from befriending people outside of the high-control Christian group he was a part of for 20 years.

For weeks at a time, a few times a year, two strangers called ‘workers’ would move into his family home and have their every need paid for, while they preached.

Do you know more? Contact sinead.gill@stuff.co.nz in confidence.

Members, called ‘friendlies’, follow what they believe is the only way of being Christian.

Townsend didn’t know it, but he was raised – and experienced abuse – in a secretive religious sect. The now-37-year-old only learnt the name of the nameless group two months ago.

It is known to outsiders as Two by Twos, 2×2 or The Truth, among others.

In Christchurch, some sect meetings – which leavers say are intended for recruitment – are held in a council-owned community centre.
CHRIS SKELTON / THE PRESS

The sect has been forced out of the shadows in the wake of increased reports of child sexual abuse internationally. The FBI launched an investigation in February.

Some leavers describe it as Gloriavale, but without the commune. Members marry into each other’s families and work together. Women dress modestly and keep their hair long, while men don shirts and ties.

“It’s a cult. But I wouldn’t say it to mum and dad in that way,” Townsend said.

“I still have this feeling of overriding control. But I feel now is the right time to tell my truth.”

Townsend – who was raised in Auckland, but now lives in Wellington as an openly gay and happily married man – is sharing his name because he knows it will get the sect’s attention.

He wants current members – including loved ones he fears are “brainwashed” – to learn what he did: the movement is traced to 1897 and an Irish evangelical named William Irvine, not to Jesus himself.

“What’s hurt [leavers] is the fact that … they lied to us,” he said.

“That has been the real mindf…”

It took Damian Townsend years to understand what he experienced was abuse. He never went to police.
MONIQUE FORD / THE POST

He is also hurt by how the sect’s teachings warp peoples’ views of love. His mum says she loves him as a person, “but she says, ‘we absolutely abhor your lifestyle’”, he said.

“I’ve never got the word out of my head. Abhor… it means disgust and hatred.”

When he was about 10 years old, Townsend was sexually abused twice by a family friend, while his caregivers were in another room.

The perpetrator had “professed”, meaning he was an official member of the sect, and did it so casually Townsend wonders how many other victims there could be.

It took Townsend years to understand what he experienced was abuse. He never went to police.

After leaving, he realised how unsafe he and other children had been around certain sect members.

A now-deceased family member, related through marriage,was a known paedophile, he said. Yet, he continued to go to meetings and other peoples’ homes.

Townsend was warned to stay away from the “handsy” man and never be alone with him. It felt like his responsibility to keep himself safe.

He said it made the lines of what was acceptable behaviour blurry.

Some leavers describe the group as similar to Gloriavale, but without the commune.
SUNGMI KIM / STUFF

He and four other leavers – living in Christchurch and Waikato, who spoke to The Press under the condition of anonymity – experienced sexual and spiritual abuse, and domestic violence in the sect.

They believe the sect’s strict doctrine of blind faith and forgiveness means the group will never be truly held accountable – or all abusers identified – without intervention by the authorities.

Although they say police have investigated individual reports of abuse, a NZ Police spokesperson said it was unaware of complaints regarding the group itself. They encouraged people with concerns to let them know.

Jillian Hishon, a victims advocate and former sect member who runs the confidential hotline The Brave Truth, says about 20% of the more than 150 perpetrators reported to her were from New Zealand.

Many victims had overlapping perpetrators, and it wasn’t uncommon for victims to have more than one abuser.

“They [abusers] know how to groom. How to pick the victims,” said.

Wayne Dean, the current overseer and spokesperson for the sect in New Zealand, said he was unavailable for comment on Friday.

He has previously told RNZ that known abusers were not welcome in group meetings, and workers were now police vetted and trained in keeping children safe.

Leavers are sceptical abusers will be held accountable.

A Christchurch leaver said there is a huge power imbalance between workers, leadership and members. Within families, women were subservient.

The leavers – all of which come from families who have been in the sect for generations – say current members will deeply fear becoming a social outcast to the only friends and family they have.

They started a peer support group called Surviving The Truth 2×2 on Facebook, and want people who have left to know they aren’t alone.

Where to get help for sexual violence

Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00, click link for local helplines.

Safe to Talk 0800 044 334, text 4334, webchat safetotalk.nz or email support@safetotalk.nz.

Victim Support 0800 842 846

The Harbour Online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse.

Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843 (females only)

Male Survivors Aotearoa Helplines across NZ, click to find out more (males only).

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.

Support for leavers of the Two by Twos

Surviving The Truth 2×2 Peer support group for leavers of 2×2.

The Brave Truth Australia and New Zealand hotline for those abused within the 2×2 sect.

http://abc.net.au/news/two-by-two-sect-survivors-waiting-for-compensation/103868134

Survivors of secretive Two by Two sect waiting to access National Redress Scheme

By Tobi Loftus

Laura McConnell-Conti (left) says she started experiencing groping and other abuses at the age of 12. (Supplied: Laura McConnell-Conti)

• In short: Survivors of the fundamentalist Christian sect known as the Two by Twos or The Truth say they are stuck in limbo waiting for the group to join a compensation scheme for victims.
• The sect says it intends to participate in the scheme and has signed an agreement.
• What’s next? The sect is holding what they call special meetings across several states this month and next where followers gather for bible study.

Survivors of a fundamentalist Christian sect at the centre of an international child sexual abuse investigation say they are stuck in limbo waiting for the group to sign up to a national compensation scheme for victims. 

Warning: Readers are advised this article contains details that may be distressing to some readers.

The sect does not have an official name but is referred to by believers as the Truth or the Way, or by non-believers as the Two by Twos, or the Church with No Name.

Laura McConnell-Conti grew up in the sect in regional New South Wales and left in 1999 when she was 19.

For years she has been actively campaigning for the group to become a part of the federal government’s National Redress Scheme, set up in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

“I experienced grooming and abuse inside the group, and a lot of other abuses, violence, and family violence,” she said.

Laura McConnell-Conti (right) left what she calls a cult when she was 19. (Supplied: Laura McConnell-Conti)

Sexual assault support lines:

• 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732
• Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
• Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114
• Victims of Crime Helpline: 1800 819 817
• Full Stop Australia: 1800 385 578

Believers follow a strict interpretation of the Bible and meet in people’s homes for Bible study, with the group’s ministers, known as workers, moving between different cities and countries where followers are based.

In Australia, a hotline set up for victims of sexual abuse has received reports from more than 100 victims, alleging abuse from about 150 perpetrators.

The sect is now under a global investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in the United States for historical cases of child sexual abuse.

The ABC can reveal the sect is also set to host special meetings in at least seven state schools across Queensland.

The meetings will be held outside school hours, but it has raised concerns among survivors about the possibility of having alleged perpetrators on school grounds.

Closure needed for victims

Ms McConnell-Conti and several other survivors to whom the ABC has spoken refer to the group as a cult because of what they say was emotional, spiritual, and physical control they experienced while a part of it.

She said she was 12 when she started to experience grooming and “inappropriate sexualised behaviour”.

Two of the perpetrators, who have since died, were ministers, known as workers.

“For me, it’s been very hard to get any kind of closure as I couldn’t take them to court,” she said.

“So, I made a submission to the [redress scheme about five years ago] as it was a way for me to get some kind of closure, to get an apology.

“For many, many years, I couldn’t get anyone in The Truth to acknowledge that I existed, that the things that had happened to me were real.”

Laura McConnell-Conti was the fifth generation of her family born into a secretive Christian sect. (Supplied: Laura McConnell-Conti)

As part of the National Redress Scheme, participating groups provide compensation, or redress, to victims.

“For me, it’s been a five-ish year journey to try to get [the Truth] to recognise and accept that they were a religion, that they are a formal church, and to get them to even talk to me, or even recognise abuse was happening in the group,” Ms McConnell-Conti said.

The sect, which has about 8,000 followers in Australia, had intended to join the National Redress Scheme under the name The Non-denominational Christians (The Truth).

This week, Ms McConnell-Conti received confirmation the sect’s application to join the scheme was progressing but with no timeframe on when it would be finalised.

The sect’s Australian leaders Malcolm Clapham, Graeme Dalton, Trevor Joll, Alan Mitchell, and Steve Thorpe said they commenced the process of applying to the scheme in September 2022.

“Our current status is we intend to participate and have signed an agreement,” they said.

“We have been assured this is being processed. However, a significant number of other organisations are also seeking participation, and the scheme’s application processing timeframes are outside our control.

“We have been advised that we are able to join as a partially participating institution and not been informed of any impediments to joining the scheme.”

The Department of Social Services, which oversees the scheme, would not comment specifically about Two by Two’s application, but a spokesperson said non-government institutions must meet several legislative requirements to join.

These include groups being able to demonstrate they can pay redress, provide a meaningful direct personal response, and have a structure that means they can enter into a legally binding agreement with the scheme.

Ms McConnell-Conti said she was concerned it was the sect’s ability to meet these requirements that was holding up the approvals process.

She said she was aware of at least four other survivors of the sect who had made applications to the redress scheme.

Meetings in schools

Over May and June, sect members are gathering across Queensland, Victoria, and other states for annual special meetings.

The sect will hold several of those meetings at state schools across Queensland.

The special meetings, where followers gather for bible study and lectures, have either taken place or will take place in schools and community halls in towns including Longreach, Chinchilla, Gatton, Rockhampton, Nambour, Mount Warren Park, and Toowoomba.

Meetings are due to take place in state school facilities including Longreach State School, Rockhampton State High School, and Nanango State High School.

Jillian Hishon runs the Brave Truth hotline. (ABC News: Tobi Loftus)

Jillian Hishon runs The Brave Truth hotline for survivors of sexual abuse in the sect.

She said she was concerned about the possibility of alleged perpetrators attending these meetings at state schools.

“In Queensland, we have perpetrators that I have reported to the ministers here in Queensland that haven’t been removed from the church,” Ms Hishon said.

“These are alleged perpetrators that have police reports logged on them.

“They’re not going to be there in school times, but [the Education Department is] allowing a group that is under current FBI investigation to attend their grounds. It is up to them, but it is not ideal.”

Multi-day conventions are held at rural properties like this one near Mackay. (Supplied)

A spokesperson for Queensland’s Department of Education said there was “no higher priority … than the safety and wellbeing of students”.

They said it was an “established and successful” practice for school facilities to be hired out outside of school hours “with appropriate controls in place”.

“A principal will consider applications for community use agreements made by organisations and individuals,” the spokesperson said.

The sect’s leaders said child safety was “paramount” at all special meetings including at public schools.

“We have conducted thorough risk assessments and put measures in place including vetting attendees, assigning specific workers to address any child safety issues, and encouraging parents to keep children in sight,” they said.

Believers meet annually at convention sites like this one to pray and learn about the sect’s beliefs. (Supplied)

Perpetrators at conventions

Alongside special meetings, the sect runs what it calls conventions.

These are longer multi-day events where followers stay in dormitories and are often held at rural properties across Australia owned by followers.

They have been attended by figures linked to historic child sexual abuse in the past, including Dean Bruer.

Mr Bruer was an overseer, or senior leader, of the sect in the US state of Oregon.

Widespread allegations of child sexual abuse committed by him came to light after his death in 2022 and led to the establishment of the group Advocates for The Truth in the US.

Documents seen by the ABC reveal Mr Bruer attended conventions as a guest in Toowoomba and the Fraser Coast, as well as sites in New South Wales in 2007, 2016, and 2017.

Dean Bruer was pictured with New South Wales-based workers for the Two by Twos during a 2017 visit to Australia. (Supplied)

Ms Hishon said Mr Bruer’s attendance at Australian events was “concerning”.

“I don’t have any reports on any abuse that Dean Bruer allegedly committed when he was in Australia,” she said.

“But we know there are other alleged paedophiles that have attended in Australia and New Zealand as well that have come from overseas and travelled around.”

The sect’s Australian leaders said they were “shocked and appalled” to learn of the allegations against Mr Bruer.

“No allegations have been made to the fellowship about Dean Bruer here in Australia, and we were unaware of any allegations against him internationally when he visited here in 2007 and 2016 for a period of up to 10 weeks on each occasion,” they said.

Convention attendees sleep together in dormitories. (Supplied)

They said they vetted convention attendees, including international visitors, had designated child-safe contacts, and had “clear procedures” for incidents now to ensure safety at conventions.

“We have specific safety measures for sleeping quarters, we allocate jobs with safety at the heart of our considerations, have clear signage, and closely manage attendee interactions,” they said.

“We have clearly communicated our zero-tolerance policy for harm against anyone in our fellowship.

“As part of our commitment to continual improvement, we have reviewed and improved our plans for this year, to learn from our experiences last year. We have involved key stakeholders in this process.”

The FBI has launched a webpage asking victims of abuse within the Two by Twos to come forward. (ABC News: Tobi Loftus)

The FBI launched its investigation into the sect earlier this year and Australian survivors, including Ms McConnell-Conti, have made submissions.

A spokesperson for the FBI told the ABC the bureau encouraged reporting from anyone who thought they might be a victim.

They said this information could be shared with their international partners.

“The FBI, in coordination with our Legal Attaché Offices around the world, routinely shares information and intelligence with our international law enforcement partners in an effort to identify and mitigate a variety of threats,” the spokesperson said.

“This international collaboration is always done with the consent of the host country and in cooperation with the Department of Justice and the US Department of State.”

Related Story

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