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Post by jonathan on Jun 28, 2023 3:59:14 GMT -5
Received this afternoon…
<_____@gmail.com> Subject: Apology
Dear workers, elders and friends,
After many visits and miles before and after our conventions, I have now had some time to reflect on the lessons for me of the last few months. One result is a great desire to apologize. I acknowledge my former ignorance concerning child sexual abuse and I will continue this learning process. I am grateful for insights from victims and advice of professionals in these uncharted waters.
Though this process has been new and mistakes have been made, I don’t excuse myself. My lack of understanding in the past resulted in a lack of urgency which allowed more opportunities for abuse to occur. I deeply apologize for this. I am resolved that my decision making will be very different going forward.
Moving forward, such issues will be handled with appropriate and thorough measures. Child sexual abuse is a mental disorder with high recidivism. Any allegation will be reported appropriately, investigated thoroughly and the safety of children will be our first priority. The details of the process we will follow can be found in our Child Safe Policy. Another result of my ignorance was a lack of empathy within me. I deeply apologize for this. I know that more empathy will lead to more urgency in dealing with concerns that are brought to my attention. As a worker, I am not married and do not have children, so my experience has been limited, but my heart has been moved as the recent months have unfolded. My understanding and empathy is deepening as I witness parents' grief and listen to each victim. I will go forward with a greater awareness, so that future abuse can be prevented amongst us as much as possible. It has come to light that some child sexual abuse reports were seriously mishandled or covered up in the past. I am deeply sorry for this and the resulting loss of trust. I sincerely apologize for the pain so many have experienced. Moving forward, we are diligently working to develop protocol to correctly address child sexual abuse reports. Reports will be handled with urgency and care so that victims are heard and offenders are dealt with. As long as I am asked to serve in this position, the areas I am responsible for will firmly adhere to our Child Safe Policy. It is my goal to be transparent and approachable.
Some of you have visited with me and shared your story and I value the insight this has given me. My hope is that every victim will have the opportunity to be heard so that we can help and protect each one. I want to assure you that we are here for you.
We want nothing more than for God to lead us through this process of dealing with those who have caused so much pain and suffering, and making amends for decision making mistakes of the past. We look forward to healing for victims and better days ahead.
We know that the Lord was very caring towards little children and corrected His disciples when they were not (Mark 10:13-16). I pray to be more sensitive to the Spirit of God. I am here to listen and deal with every situation that I can help with.
With care and respect, Rob
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Post by snow on Jun 28, 2023 17:28:50 GMT -5
Well that 'sounds' encouraging. If he is truly doing the right thing by the survivors that would be so encouraging. We've seen many apology letters. This is one of the better ones. I still wonder how they can claim they didn't know that CSA was wrong and needed to be dealt with by getting the abuser out of the 'system'. I can understand maybe that they were ignorant (his word) about reporting it, but they had to know that harming children was deadly serious. They must of had some idea it wasn't right because they saw the need to move them around and not tell the friends in the area they were moved to. So is this guy just better with words?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2023 17:36:57 GMT -5
Well that 'sounds' encouraging. If he is truly doing the right thing by the survivors that would be so encouraging. We've seen many apology letters. This is one of the better ones. I still wonder how they can claim they didn't know that CSA was wrong and needed to be dealt with by getting the abuser out of the 'system'. I can understand maybe that they were ignorant (his word) about reporting it, but they had to know that harming children was deadly serious. They must of had some idea it wasn't right because they saw the need to move them around and not tell the friends in the area they were moved to. So is this guy just better with words? Some folks may just be relaying the wrong words to describe what has and is happening on the reporting. I doubt really that anyone thought it was NOT wrong...
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Post by snow on Jun 28, 2023 18:12:40 GMT -5
Well that 'sounds' encouraging. If he is truly doing the right thing by the survivors that would be so encouraging. We've seen many apology letters. This is one of the better ones. I still wonder how they can claim they didn't know that CSA was wrong and needed to be dealt with by getting the abuser out of the 'system'. I can understand maybe that they were ignorant (his word) about reporting it, but they had to know that harming children was deadly serious. They must of had some idea it wasn't right because they saw the need to move them around and not tell the friends in the area they were moved to. So is this guy just better with words? Some folks may just be relaying the wrong words to describe what has and is happening on the reporting. I doubt really that anyone thought it was NOT wrong... The wording makes it sound like they really didn't know, but they had to know it was wrong as you say.
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Post by getreal on Jun 28, 2023 21:28:34 GMT -5
They knew it was wrong. They actively hid it, evidence of guilt. It stands out to me that he used the excuse of not being married and having children a reason for not understanding or having empathy!?! Well not only does that not hold water, he acknowledges this lack of real life experience to be a detriment to the ministry.
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Post by Pragmatic on Jun 28, 2023 21:43:09 GMT -5
Personally, I don't think he could have worded this any better, and he acknowledges failures, and personally apologises. I doesn't say that he didn't know it (CSA) was wrong, but he acknowledges a lack of empathy arising out of his unmarried status. I think that is commendable.
But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. Actions now will speak louder than words.
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Post by Dan on Jun 28, 2023 22:00:46 GMT -5
Personally, I don't think he could have worded this any better, and he acknowledges failures, and personally apologises. I doesn't say that he didn't know it (CSA) was wrong, but he acknowledges a lack of empathy arising out of his unmarried status. I think that is commendable. But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. Actions now will speak louder than words.
Good letter, but the 'lack of empathy' thing doesn't fly.. You don't need to be married or have children in order to empathize with a child that's been abuse. He was a child himself once, empathy and compassion should be automatic, especially for someone in a ministerial position.. jmo
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Post by Pragmatic on Jun 28, 2023 22:08:20 GMT -5
Personally, I don't think he could have worded this any better, and he acknowledges failures, and personally apologises. I doesn't say that he didn't know it (CSA) was wrong, but he acknowledges a lack of empathy arising out of his unmarried status. I think that is commendable. But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. Actions now will speak louder than words.
Good letter, but the 'lack of empathy' thing doesn't fly.. You don't need to be married or have children in order to empathize with a child that's been abuse. He was a child himself once, empathy and compassion should be automatic, especially for someone in a ministerial position.. jmo
What I am trying to say is, he realises that, and is apologising for it.
I am not an apologist for the workers, however. But I am also not going to slay someone who seems genuine in wanting to resolve things, admits failures, just because the wording may not be 100% what I might want to see.
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Post by Dan on Jun 28, 2023 22:18:59 GMT -5
Good letter, but the 'lack of empathy' thing doesn't fly.. You don't need to be married or have children in order to empathize with a child that's been abuse. He was a child himself once, empathy and compassion should be automatic, especially for someone in a ministerial position.. jmo
What I am trying to say is, he realises that, and is apologising for it.
I am not an apologist for the workers, however. But I am also not going to slay someone who seems genuine in wanting to resolve things, admits failures, just because the wording may not be 100% what I might want to see.
Understood, he does sound sincerely regretful and wants changes instituted that will prevent future abuse. I do respect that and imagine his thoughts are reflective of most of the Workers.
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Post by mdm on Jun 29, 2023 1:46:28 GMT -5
They will not cleanse their ranks from abusers until they start taking any sexual abuse and immorality seriously. Why are they limiting their apologies and promises to just CSA and not to SA and immorality as well? And just at what age does CSA become the not-so-unacceptable SA that has historically been written off as “consensual“? Does that now depend on the laws of each country? Are they committing to doing just the bare minimum that laws require?
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Post by haggard on Jun 29, 2023 7:45:58 GMT -5
Yes its hard to believe these so called "Men of God" dont have enough honor and integrity to relize what fools they are...and swiftly step down,,and go hide their faces in shame...these guys who spend so much time on their knees..???when a young child has no disillusion of right and wrong when it comes to the basics of decent moral behavior ...and these clowns claim innocence did they fall asleep praying??? how can people stay associated these kind of standards..?? dont people see the crimes that has made sooooo many children and people victims of the most revolting ..cynical offense made to a human.. and these goons what to retain their position of power...and even use the fiends money to retain lawyers to keep them out of jail?? WOW !!! what a night mare...
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Post by snow on Jun 29, 2023 13:45:38 GMT -5
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Post by verna on Jun 29, 2023 13:47:22 GMT -5
Yup. Just read that myself. I am so angry yet again.
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Post by Pragmatic on Jun 29, 2023 15:40:05 GMT -5
Dear oh dear oh dear.....as I said, the proof is in the pudding, and actions speak louder than words.
Maybe Newman's letter was ghostwritten by a clever writer, or legal adviser, and he just signed it. Either way, it doesn't matter.
This from Sheri, Lauren and Cynthia needs to go viral.
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Post by 1chinesewhispers on Jun 29, 2023 15:47:10 GMT -5
Sounded good till this ………………. June 29, 2023
Dear Rob,
We have read your well-crafted letter of apology dated June 27, 2023. Your actions speak so loudly, we cannot hear the words you are saying.
You say, “My hope is that every victim will have the opportunity to be heard so that we can help and protect each one. I want to assure you that we are here for you.” Sheri Autrey, Lauren Rohs, and Cynthia Liles have attempted to contact you over 30 times via texts, phone calls, and emails with zero response. If your hope is that every victim will have the opportunity to be heard, are Sheri and Lauren not worthy of help and protection? These two survivors have established an intake system for reports of abuse on behalf of your community, together with private investigator Cynthia Liles. They have also established partnerships to provide funded therapy for victim-survivors as well as other resources. And still, you are not there for Sheri and Lauren – two child sex abuse victims of your community’s negligence.
Sheri VanDermyden Autrey called you on February 4, 2023, to inquire about any knowledge or information you may have related to her case and to also discuss the handling of child sex abuse cases in the fellowship. In that phone call, you told her you had only recently heard about her case, and you stated, “I have known no pedophiles except for Ruben Mata.” This is simply not true. We have talked with several people who confirmed you were aware that John VanDenberg had committed child sex abuse. In that same phone call, you told Sheri, “I want you to get closure,” yet you made no mention of the letters that you have had in your possession for at least the past five years regarding her case.
Subsequent to Sheri’s February 4th telephone call with you, she learned that you were, in fact, in possession of a file regarding her case. She has repeatedly asked you and other workers to provide her with copies of the file. On April 19, 2023, you texted Lauren Rohs that a file of evidence was submitted to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office on April 18, 2023, along with a case number that happens to be false and does not exist. Lauren texted you to request a copy of the file on Sheri’s behalf. She received no response from you. Sheri followed up with Bret Major (who personally delivered the documents to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office), as well as you to request a copy, and left a voicemail for you on May 3, 2023. You never returned her call. She emailed you on May 6, 2023, to notify you that you had not complied with her request. Sheri did not receive any response to her email.
Sheri was informed in June that a copy of the file had been sent to her “family”. After requests to her family, she has still not received a forward of your email in its entirety with the original attached documents, which have been withheld from her for 37 years. Why was Sheri’s file sent to her brother, Tim VanDermyden, instead of her, the victim? The file pertains to child sex crimes perpetrated and inflicted on Sheri. Sheri is the one who should be privy to how it was handled in the late 80’s. Sheri should be the one to know how it was covered up. Sheri should be the one who decides if she wants the details of her child sexual abuse to be made public. It is her life. No one else has that right. The lack of ethical behavior and transparency is appalling and shows your utter and complete lack of care for victims.
You have withheld evidence from the very victim who has the right to it more than anyone else, with the exception of law enforcement. You have shown zero integrity, humanity, or courtesy. If you were a man of integrity, you would have immediately sent the file to Sheri when it came into your possession years ago.
For 37 years, Sheri has consistently requested exposure of abuse within The Truth and protection for victims. She has advocated on behalf of herself and all other known and unknown victims. To this day, her requests and pleas are still being ignored.
Rob, you are refusing to listen to victims that have come forward in the past few months. Cynthia has been in contact with hundreds of victims from your fellowship who have called the hotline. The first perpetrator Cynthia notified you of was Rodrigo/Rodney Loera.
Cynthia sent four emails to you regarding Loera (see your emails dated May 22, 2023, May 25, 2023, May 30, 2023, and June 8, 2023.) You didn’t respond to a single email. She also called and left you a message on June 3, 2023, and asked you to call her back. You did not return her call.
We know you, along with Richard Denherder, have been telling the friends Cynthia didn’t give any facts regarding Rodrigo/Rodney Loera. You did, however, receive additional information from someone within the fellowship regarding another child who had been abused by Loera. Once you received that information, you apparently decided to act. You called John Foster in Montana to see if he would help you take care of the situation with Loera. You found out John was communicating with Advocates For The Truth, and you cut off communication with him.
You and Richard Denherder then sent a disparaging email about John to Scott Rauscher. In the meantime, while you were refusing to engage with us, we learned of more Loera victims. Not once have you reached out to us to inquire about the victims reporting to us. We are currently providing therapy resources for these victims in South America, most of whom are still in your fellowship – yet your actions have made it clear you do not want to protect and support the victims who are reporting to us.
We also understand you and Richard have told many of the friends that “you’ve had problems with Cynthia.” Cynthia talked to you one time, on March 24, 2023. You expressed an interest in working with her and told her, “I think we could use your help.” That is the only contact you’ve had with Cynthia. Please let us know about the “problems you’ve had with Cynthia.”
Rob, we have heard and read that you are using a “scaling system” to determine levels of abuse. We understand you have even used this scaling system in conversations with survivors of child sex abuse. This is despicable, reprehensible, detestable, and heinous behavior towards survivors of child sex abuse. You must stop. You are not qualified to determine, counsel, or narrate regarding the trauma inflicted on victims.
Your endorsement of “risk assessments” for known pedophiles and individuals with allegations is another act of your complicity and perpetuation of abuse and crimes within your community. “Credible accusations” should be the standard. Sex offender risk assessments are used in the adjudication process – for sentencing, custody level, and conditions of community service – and they are relatively unsuccessful in terms of their predictive accuracy. (Department of Justice Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Apprehending, Monitoring and Tracking.) None of the cases in your letter of June 20, 2023 have been adjudicated because none of the perpetrators were reported to law enforcement as they should have been when the allegations were first brought to the attention of the workers. Your actions show you are advocating for perpetrators instead of survivors and children.
Rob, you state in your letter that your ignorance on the matter of child sex abuse is due to a lack of empathy. Empathy is not required to believe a crime has been committed. You also state, “I acknowledge my former ignorance concerning child sexual abuse and I will continue this learning process.” There is no “learning process” required to know the difference between right and wrong.
Best,
Sheri Autrey, Lauren Rohs, and Cynthia Liles
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Post by Admin on Jun 29, 2023 17:55:49 GMT -5
Dear oh dear oh dear.....as I said, the proof is in the pudding, and actions speak louder than words. Maybe Newman's letter was ghostwritten by a clever writer, or legal adviser, and he just signed it. Either way, it doesn't matter. This from Sheri, Lauren and Cynthia needs to go viral. Clearly and cleverly crafted to keep the guy in his job. Weasel words are all too common, in high-powered corporate spin these days where integrity is wanting.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2023 19:02:37 GMT -5
Dear oh dear oh dear.....as I said, the proof is in the pudding, and actions speak louder than words. Maybe Newman's letter was ghostwritten by a clever writer, or legal adviser, and he just signed it. Either way, it doesn't matter. This from Sheri, Lauren and Cynthia needs to go viral. Maybe rings new god ChatGPT did it?
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Post by Admin on Jun 29, 2023 19:11:39 GMT -5
Some bits from recent Advocates letter to Rob Newman: OPEN LETTER FROM ADVOCATES FOR THE TRUTH (SHERI AUTREY, LAUREN ROHS AND CYNTHIA LILES) IN RESPONSE TO ROB NEWMAN’S LETTER OF JUNE 27, 2023 June 29, 2023 Dear Rob, ... Sheri Autrey, Lauren Rohs, and Cynthia Liles have attempted to contact you over 30 times via texts, phone calls, and emails with zero response. ... Cynthia sent four emails to you regarding Loera (see your emails dated May 22, 2023, May 25, 2023, May 30, 2023, and June 8, 2023.) You didn’t respond to a single email. She also called and left you a message on June 3, 2023, and asked you to call her back. You did not return her call. ... You called John Foster in Montana to see if he would help you take care of the situation with Loera. You found out John was communicating with Advocates For The Truth, and you cut off communication with him. You and Richard Denherder then sent a disparaging email about John to Scott Rauscher. In the meantime, while you were refusing to engage with us, we learned of more Loera victims. Not once have you reached out to us to inquire about the victims reporting to us. ... We also understand you and Richard have told many of the friends that “you’ve had problems with Cynthia.” Cynthia talked to you one time, on March 24, 2023. You expressed an interest in working with her and told her, “I think we could use your help.” That is the only contact you’ve had with Cynthia. Please let us know about the “problems you’ve had with Cynthia.” ... Sheri Autrey, Lauren Rohs, and Cynthia Liles www.advocatesforthetruth.comThese bits taken from the Advocates letter to Overseer Rob Newman are indicative of a problem with overseers like Newman, and the staunch Friends who support him. - Victim/survivors of CSA and SA and other forms of abuse within the F&W church are 'ignored'.
- Those Friends who actively and vocally support victim/survivors are often shunned, and their reputations shredded (disparaging of John Foster, above; the investigator Cynthia being a 'problem' person for the Workers).
The question that comes to mind for those of us who have experienced this endemic treatment over the years, is do Rob Newman and his kind believe their behavior is Christ-like? They will have read the biblical creation story, how they were created "in the image of God". Is this what God is like? They believe in a heaven. Do they imagine that these people they ignore and shun will stand before God and get the same treatment from God and his Son Jesus Christ, as they are meting out as his so-called servants here on earth? It's time to act Christ-like towards the survivors of abuse within the church that Rob Newman holds a responsible position of oversight in, before it's too late for the repentance required.
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Post by snow on Jul 4, 2023 19:07:01 GMT -5
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Post by matisse on Jul 5, 2023 4:35:52 GMT -5
His repeated use of the passive voice is a red flag for me. "Mistakes were made"....why not, "I made mistakes"?
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