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Post by Admin on Nov 10, 2023 15:26:44 GMT -5
Montana and Wyoming
Nov, 9, 2023
Dear Concerned Friends,
The time has come for us to emphasize where we are with past issues that have been brought to us by you folks. We have sought professional and responsible council all along and have found profitable help from people like [redacted], who supports our positive direction in going forward.
From today, we will not accept any complaints about the past. If there is anything illegal or criminal in any way, we are asking you to take it to the police. We will only deal with the present and the future.
We are embracing the idea of a support/witness plan for those that need help and restoration for positive recovery in the fellowship, taking into consideration the needs of victims. We are not a part of a persecution/prosecution team, but rather seek restoration for every individual. We are not working against our brother or sister, but rather being our brother’s keeper. This fellowship and ministry doesn’t need big changes, but it does require each of us to be honest and accountable.
We can all be a great help and support through prayer for each other. We all have expressed we want unity, and that means we must work towards that together. Godliness is contagious… let’s go forward in that way.
With care for each, Scott, Tom, Tammy, Heidi & Alexis
Scott Rauscher (current overseer of Montana and Wyoming), Tom Hinkle, Tammy Carr, Heidi Henderson, and Alexis Carrier.
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Post by Admin on Nov 10, 2023 15:30:43 GMT -5
Workers expose perpetrator’s lies and provide support to the survivor
November 8, 2023
It is with deep concern that we are moved to send this letter to all of you. We understand that an email in which Ira and Joan Hobbs misrepresent key information about Katie’s special meeting visit at their home has been circulating privately, though it has not yet been posted publicly.
Katie is our dear sister, and we are worried about the additional harm she may experience due to Ira’s email. We do not want Ira’s letter with misinformation to cause division between us.
We believe and support victim-survivors, and we believe and support Katie. Because the majority of SA and CSA cases go unreported due to shame, fear, and lack of support, we feel it is our responsibility as shepherds to support those who cry out for help.
We would like to directly address the misinformation in Ira’s email.
Ira has a long history of sexual assault allegations, some of which he has admitted to. In 2008, Ira was removed from the work because of credible allegations [details removed on legal advice due to impending legal actions]
Law enforcement continues to investigate the case against Ira. We, along with Ray Hoffman, support Katie’s legal team in their efforts to find justice for her and the other numerous victim-survivors [...].
As friends and workers, we want to be united in our compassion for victim-survivors and to take appropriate steps that will bring an end to this shameful history of abuse. We pray that all victim-survivors would find comfort and peace.
Your brothers and sisters,
Craig Winquist, Daniel Farris, Steve Marshall, Diane Harper, and Jennifer Horton
Comments from Abbi Prussack:
I’d like to take this opportunity to point out a very common defense strategy used by perpetrators of abuse. As we know, abusers “groom” potential victims by establishing trust, and building an image of themselves that makes the victim less likely to resist their behavior and less likely to report it. Abusers also use this tactic with parents, in order to get closer to child victims and create a buffer of doubt, should the child ever try to speak up about the abuse. This letter is an example of someone who is “grooming the public.” By loudly presenting their fabricated version of events alongside vivid details, empathetic statements, and pitiful feelings, they are able to plant a seed of doubt in observers’ minds. If they can convince enough of the public that they are humble and trustworthy, the public will be more willing to doubt, dismiss, and blame the victim-survivors who they have harmed.
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There is ample evidence [...], and there is an ongoing legal investigation. Most survivors aren’t afforded these privileges, and many abusers’ attempts at grooming the public end up to be successful. Please keep this survivor in your thoughts as attempts to retraumatize and silence her continue. We will always stand with survivors, and we are grateful to you all for doing the same.
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Post by snow on Nov 10, 2023 17:12:58 GMT -5
Montana and WyomingNov, 9, 2023 Dear Concerned Friends, The time has come for us to emphasize where we are with past issues that have been brought to us by you folks. We have sought professional and responsible council all along and have found profitable help from people like [redacted], who supports our positive direction in going forward. From today, we will not accept any complaints about the past. If there is anything illegal or criminal in any way, we are asking you to take it to the police. We will only deal with the present and the future. We are embracing the idea of a support/witness plan for those that need help and restoration for positive recovery in the fellowship, taking into consideration the needs of victims. We are not a part of a persecution/prosecution team, but rather seek restoration for every individual. We are not working against our brother or sister, but rather being our brother’s keeper. This fellowship and ministry doesn’t need big changes, but it does require each of us to be honest and accountable. We can all be a great help and support through prayer for each other. We all have expressed we want unity, and that means we must work towards that together. Godliness is contagious… let’s go forward in that way. With care for each, Scott, Tom, Tammy, Heidi & Alexis Scott Rauscher (current overseer of Montana and Wyoming), Tom Hinkle, Tammy Carr, Heidi Henderson, and Alexis Carrier. When I read this letter on another site it made me so angry. Don't come to us about anything that has happened in the past. I agree that they need to go to the police, but they also need to make the workers aware of ongoing litigation or allegations against abusers so that they can inform the friends that might have contact with these abusers. How can the friends make informed decisions if they aren't aware? I'm sure most parents are hyper vigilant right now, but if they continue in the group that can only be sustained for a period of time. Inevitably they will relax their vigilance a little and it would be very helpful to at least know about the ones that have been named. There will always be a need to watch out for your children because you just don't know, but it makes it easier for parents to at least be aware of the ones that are a known threat. I think the friends that I worry about the most are the ones that are in total denial or they believe it's happening but also have bought into the workers telling them that they must just forgive and not judge. I still think about that one post by a woman who said that judging was a sin and you should not sin to protect your children. I just can't wrap my head around that kind of mindset, but it's obviously out there. If she has children she's not going to protect them if it means she has to judge an abuser. That's so scary.
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help
Senior Member
Life Member "Australian Order of Old Bastards" AOOB.
Posts: 841
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Post by help on Nov 10, 2023 19:18:40 GMT -5
" We will only deal with the present and the future".
Not likely, 2x2's have always lived in the past, behind the times. They need to wake up and stay in tune with the rest of society and not accept that criminal and immoral behaviour is OK.
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