I am so blessed by your courage (all involved) in standing for the truth of this epidemic of abuse against girls and women, especially in our church communities. I applaud your willingness to stand firm against the denial and fury you will experience. With love and prayers for protection, strength and healing. ❤️🩹
As a survivor of wife abuse, partner abuse, and dating a sex-addicted male (all of whom were “Christians”), I am so greatful you are addressing this topic!
It is an absolutely astounding epidemic in Christian spaces. 😢 The countless experiences I have come across in the last 10 years tell me that abuse of women in the church is the norm, not the exception.
The people who consistently minimized the abusive behavior of the men were Christians. Sadly, even the women are so indoctrinated and brainwashed from birth that they contribute to much of the victim blaming and minimizing of the abuse. They are often women living in spiritual/financial/emotional/psychological/sexual abuse from their husbands themselves.
We need many voices such as yours to set the captives free! 🌸 Thank you and I really look forward to watching this documentary!
I'm watching it with two friends tomorrow night. Two of us just recently read The Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings and I have Rift by Cait West at the top of my TBR pile. Thank you for doing this work. Praying for you all.
Your documentary is wonderful! Thank you!!!! I’m doing what I can, in my own way, as someone Christian, but adjacent to the crisis. I’ve been reposting mugshots that Beks and Amy Smith have posted on X. I’m up to 210 new mugshots in 113 days. I have a friend, in the federal government, who collects data on arrests on child sexual assaults and child porn across the country. There’s much she can’t tell me. However, there have been 32 arrests of predators who have worked in public schools in the last 3 months. Of those arrested, 27 of them identify as Evangelical leaders or congregants. Most of those overlap with the mugshots I’ve reposted from those strong women, Amy and Beks.
Additionally, now that I’m retired, I reluctantly joined X in 2020. I’ve seen a great deal of posts, mainly from video posts from Evangelical pastors, that have “shouted” red flags. As an educator, I’m a trained mandated reporter. I’m obligated to contact law enforcement if I see something that might suggest abuse. I’ve had to contact the FBI and/or local law enforcement 6 times so far. (I wish more mandated reporters would do the same for the X posts.).
Law enforcement officials, in general, do not tell mandated reporters the outcomes of investigations. By chance however, I’ve reposted ( from the strong ladies) the arrest warrants of 2 out of the 6 I’ve reported. I don’t know what’s happening with the other 4. I’m sure they are still investigating.
What I have noted, as Kristin has, extreme hostility, DARVO, deflection, and general immaturity from many male Evangelical leaders. It’s discouraging. However, it’s worth the effort. Initially, I used the gentle, diplomatic approach that Kristin and others have modeled on social media.
On this issue however, that tactic hasn’t been very effective to date. The wall of denial, deflection, and power protection is thick and seemingly imprenetable.
It’s annoying to the recipients to be sure, but I’m tagging small groups of clueless clergy with the mugshots. I pick 4 or 5 at a time who’ve tried to deny, deflect, minimize, or weaponize Scripture to justify criminal child sexual assault.
I expected abusive comments. These though are incredible. I’m not a survivor. Yet I need to use all my professional, educational, experiential, and emotional resources to respond to the clergy modeling arrogance, ignorance, and unhealthy boundaries with CALM.
I’m writing this here and not on Twitter. (I’m venting here). I want to shout “Your penis and your reading of the Bible is not a lightning rod that gets you closer to God! In fact, your unhealthy boundaries make you more susceptible to garbage.” (End of vent)
What I am stating clearly is that these “leaders” are their brothers’ keepers. They must start protecting children, women, and those with disabilities from these criminal predators. For me, it’s always been about the least of these.
At the end of each day, I’m emotionally spent. I can only begin to understand the strength, resilience, and tenacity survivors must bring to the table each day to cope with the constant onslaught from those in their communities. I admire each of them more than I can state in words!!!
Thank you to them and thank you to you Kristin for all you are doing.
"The wall of denial, deflection, and power protection is thick and seemingly impenetrable." That's a sentence that speaks a lot of truth! Thank you for your work, Julia!
Thank you as well Tiffany for your strength and your voice! I look to you all for inspiration when sometimes I just want to quit. A little voice in my head says “This isn’t your problem”.
But then, the louder voice and my conscience kicks in. It’s about the children, the vulnerable, (women, men &, those with disabilities) I can’t do much, but I can shine a light. I am retired now, but I was a teacher/administrator in public schools for over 40 years. This is in my wheelhouse
Despite the prevailing myth about teachers being “groomers”, the reverse is true. Many of us are trained to spot signs of abuse (all types) and report directly to law enforcements. Not to school administration, not to bosses- law enforcement and/or child protective services. Always!
When a predator is discovered in public schools (with accountability more prevalent in all blue states) the predator is usually convicted, loses teaching credentials, must register as a sex offender, and isnever allowed near kids in k-12 schools again if the prison sentence allows release.
These predators are never “applauded” by their school colleagues or reinstated in ANY form or fashion. The people around the predator do not allow them near prey just because the predator “repented” and asked for forgiveness. That is absolute crazy making!!! Children and the vulnerable are AlWAYS at heightened risk.
Sorry I’m venting. The numbers point directly to the Evangelical and RC churches as the big breeding grounds for sexual predation in this country -rigid religious institutions, run by powerful men, with little accountability. This HAS to STOP.
I’ve been called a Jezebel more times than I can count in subtweets and direct replies from some of these loud, powerful immature men with absolutely convoluted and unhealthy boundaries about sexuality, gender, responsibility, etc.
I’ll stay in the fight! The kids, the women, the young men, and those with disabilities are worth it.
You all are staying in the fight. I can too in my small way.
I’ve shared this with my daughters so they can better understand how to protect their daughters. So thankful that you are bringing this painful topic to light. We must stand together for our daughters and ourselves.
Thank you for doing this. I could only watch the first half. I'll come back later for the second half, I hope. I grew up OPC, and my father was a deacon in our church for pretty much my whole life. He also sexually abused me. I have heard many credible reports of children in local sister churches being sexually abused by their own fathers who were in leadership, or by other leaders in their church. No one discusses these out loud, but one hears the murmurs.
I will never forget that my first experience of a pastor being held to account for his sexual misconduct was in the CRC, in the church I attended for the last two years of college. That pastor was defrocked a year or two after I graduated and moved on for multiple cases of sexual abuse of female college students (it was a church very popular among the students). I don't know how often that has happened in the CRC, but I am grateful that it happened in this case, because it showed me that some kind of justice is possible for women in the church, at least occasionally.
So powerful. I will share widely as there is so much at stake for women in this election. I really appreciated the male pastor at that end talking about Jesus… he didn’t choose power. God doesn’t coerce anyone. We always have a choice, for God is not power over but with by invitation.
This is an important film, and I appreciated watching it this morning. I thought the interviews were so well done, and I believe that those who shelter abusers and minimize the impact on those who survive abuse will ultimately be held accountable by God. So many tragic stories. I will say I think that tying in politics raises some concerns to me. Sadly we have two candidates in the US who have some serious flaws. As a Christian supporting someone who has a history of promoting late term abortions and many others things contrary to God's Word is also problematic. But overall this film was very well done, and needed. Women courageous enough to tell their stories are being heard and validated. I pray for those women interviewed in this film. Abuse happens far too often, and that's abhorrent.
A dozen women will be at my home at 1pm to view the film and talk. I will begin with reading your comments posted here. Thank you for preparing us
I love this. It really is meant to be viewed in community, processed, and ideally inspire people to action.
I am so blessed by your courage (all involved) in standing for the truth of this epidemic of abuse against girls and women, especially in our church communities. I applaud your willingness to stand firm against the denial and fury you will experience. With love and prayers for protection, strength and healing. ❤️🩹
As a survivor of wife abuse, partner abuse, and dating a sex-addicted male (all of whom were “Christians”), I am so greatful you are addressing this topic!
It is an absolutely astounding epidemic in Christian spaces. 😢 The countless experiences I have come across in the last 10 years tell me that abuse of women in the church is the norm, not the exception.
The people who consistently minimized the abusive behavior of the men were Christians. Sadly, even the women are so indoctrinated and brainwashed from birth that they contribute to much of the victim blaming and minimizing of the abuse. They are often women living in spiritual/financial/emotional/psychological/sexual abuse from their husbands themselves.
We need many voices such as yours to set the captives free! 🌸 Thank you and I really look forward to watching this documentary!
Watching it right now! This is why I love supporting your work. Congratulations!
Thank you!
Looking forward to watching this! Thank you for sharing and for boldly moving forward to create this.
I'm watching it with two friends tomorrow night. Two of us just recently read The Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings and I have Rift by Cait West at the top of my TBR pile. Thank you for doing this work. Praying for you all.
Can't wait to watch. Thank you for doing this.
Grateful for this work. Here to stand with you.
Your documentary is wonderful! Thank you!!!! I’m doing what I can, in my own way, as someone Christian, but adjacent to the crisis. I’ve been reposting mugshots that Beks and Amy Smith have posted on X. I’m up to 210 new mugshots in 113 days. I have a friend, in the federal government, who collects data on arrests on child sexual assaults and child porn across the country. There’s much she can’t tell me. However, there have been 32 arrests of predators who have worked in public schools in the last 3 months. Of those arrested, 27 of them identify as Evangelical leaders or congregants. Most of those overlap with the mugshots I’ve reposted from those strong women, Amy and Beks.
Additionally, now that I’m retired, I reluctantly joined X in 2020. I’ve seen a great deal of posts, mainly from video posts from Evangelical pastors, that have “shouted” red flags. As an educator, I’m a trained mandated reporter. I’m obligated to contact law enforcement if I see something that might suggest abuse. I’ve had to contact the FBI and/or local law enforcement 6 times so far. (I wish more mandated reporters would do the same for the X posts.).
Law enforcement officials, in general, do not tell mandated reporters the outcomes of investigations. By chance however, I’ve reposted ( from the strong ladies) the arrest warrants of 2 out of the 6 I’ve reported. I don’t know what’s happening with the other 4. I’m sure they are still investigating.
What I have noted, as Kristin has, extreme hostility, DARVO, deflection, and general immaturity from many male Evangelical leaders. It’s discouraging. However, it’s worth the effort. Initially, I used the gentle, diplomatic approach that Kristin and others have modeled on social media.
On this issue however, that tactic hasn’t been very effective to date. The wall of denial, deflection, and power protection is thick and seemingly imprenetable.
It’s annoying to the recipients to be sure, but I’m tagging small groups of clueless clergy with the mugshots. I pick 4 or 5 at a time who’ve tried to deny, deflect, minimize, or weaponize Scripture to justify criminal child sexual assault.
I expected abusive comments. These though are incredible. I’m not a survivor. Yet I need to use all my professional, educational, experiential, and emotional resources to respond to the clergy modeling arrogance, ignorance, and unhealthy boundaries with CALM.
I’m writing this here and not on Twitter. (I’m venting here). I want to shout “Your penis and your reading of the Bible is not a lightning rod that gets you closer to God! In fact, your unhealthy boundaries make you more susceptible to garbage.” (End of vent)
What I am stating clearly is that these “leaders” are their brothers’ keepers. They must start protecting children, women, and those with disabilities from these criminal predators. For me, it’s always been about the least of these.
At the end of each day, I’m emotionally spent. I can only begin to understand the strength, resilience, and tenacity survivors must bring to the table each day to cope with the constant onslaught from those in their communities. I admire each of them more than I can state in words!!!
Thank you to them and thank you to you Kristin for all you are doing.
Blessings to all
"The wall of denial, deflection, and power protection is thick and seemingly impenetrable." That's a sentence that speaks a lot of truth! Thank you for your work, Julia!
I agree powerful sentence and spot on
Thank you Julia
Thank you as well Tiffany for your strength and your voice! I look to you all for inspiration when sometimes I just want to quit. A little voice in my head says “This isn’t your problem”.
But then, the louder voice and my conscience kicks in. It’s about the children, the vulnerable, (women, men &, those with disabilities) I can’t do much, but I can shine a light. I am retired now, but I was a teacher/administrator in public schools for over 40 years. This is in my wheelhouse
Despite the prevailing myth about teachers being “groomers”, the reverse is true. Many of us are trained to spot signs of abuse (all types) and report directly to law enforcements. Not to school administration, not to bosses- law enforcement and/or child protective services. Always!
When a predator is discovered in public schools (with accountability more prevalent in all blue states) the predator is usually convicted, loses teaching credentials, must register as a sex offender, and isnever allowed near kids in k-12 schools again if the prison sentence allows release.
These predators are never “applauded” by their school colleagues or reinstated in ANY form or fashion. The people around the predator do not allow them near prey just because the predator “repented” and asked for forgiveness. That is absolute crazy making!!! Children and the vulnerable are AlWAYS at heightened risk.
Sorry I’m venting. The numbers point directly to the Evangelical and RC churches as the big breeding grounds for sexual predation in this country -rigid religious institutions, run by powerful men, with little accountability. This HAS to STOP.
I’ve been called a Jezebel more times than I can count in subtweets and direct replies from some of these loud, powerful immature men with absolutely convoluted and unhealthy boundaries about sexuality, gender, responsibility, etc.
I’ll stay in the fight! The kids, the women, the young men, and those with disabilities are worth it.
You all are staying in the fight. I can too in my small way.
Thank you. It means so much coming from you and all that YOU do! Thank YOU!
I’ve shared this with my daughters so they can better understand how to protect their daughters. So thankful that you are bringing this painful topic to light. We must stand together for our daughters and ourselves.
Thank you for doing this. I could only watch the first half. I'll come back later for the second half, I hope. I grew up OPC, and my father was a deacon in our church for pretty much my whole life. He also sexually abused me. I have heard many credible reports of children in local sister churches being sexually abused by their own fathers who were in leadership, or by other leaders in their church. No one discusses these out loud, but one hears the murmurs.
I will never forget that my first experience of a pastor being held to account for his sexual misconduct was in the CRC, in the church I attended for the last two years of college. That pastor was defrocked a year or two after I graduated and moved on for multiple cases of sexual abuse of female college students (it was a church very popular among the students). I don't know how often that has happened in the CRC, but I am grateful that it happened in this case, because it showed me that some kind of justice is possible for women in the church, at least occasionally.
I’m so sorry. This is not the first story I’ve heard about the OPC. There are people working to bring more stories to light.
Am getting the message that the video is private. Still, sending enormous regard to all who labored to bring it into being.
There was an initial glitch for some but it should be available to everyone now.
Old boomer Christian here. I have already started sharing this film, and I will keep hounding fellow boomers
So powerful. I will share widely as there is so much at stake for women in this election. I really appreciated the male pastor at that end talking about Jesus… he didn’t choose power. God doesn’t coerce anyone. We always have a choice, for God is not power over but with by invitation.
Thank you for making this documentary. It gives a voice and means so much.
This is an important film, and I appreciated watching it this morning. I thought the interviews were so well done, and I believe that those who shelter abusers and minimize the impact on those who survive abuse will ultimately be held accountable by God. So many tragic stories. I will say I think that tying in politics raises some concerns to me. Sadly we have two candidates in the US who have some serious flaws. As a Christian supporting someone who has a history of promoting late term abortions and many others things contrary to God's Word is also problematic. But overall this film was very well done, and needed. Women courageous enough to tell their stories are being heard and validated. I pray for those women interviewed in this film. Abuse happens far too often, and that's abhorrent.