June 9, 2023 Letter Regarding Lack of Response from Overseers
Hello all,
This past week, the floodgates have remained open wide, with new victim survivors coming forward daily. As you may know, we are working hard. Just as we have from the launch of the hotline on March 24, 2023. Our mission is to give voice and protection to survivors, to expose perpetrators and hold them accountable—all in an effort to bring justice to survivors.
This last week did not bring forth the results that we and countless others had hoped to see. Yes, we took a bold stance when we asked the current Overseers worldwide to step down. We asked on behalf of THOUSANDS of survivors and friends, on both the inside and outside. Not one Overseer stepped down. Out of over 50 Overseer’s, only four had the common courtesy to communicate in any manner with us. This refusal has shown a disregard for our advocacy, the members of the fellowship, and most importantly, survivors.
We have worked factually and diligently to eradicate those who have committed abuse and/or have been complicit. Whether or not one’s state mandates the reporting of sex crimes, it is common decency and common sense to do so. It is humane to report! It is Christ-like to protect the children and the vulnerable. It is NOT Christ-like to protect predators—the choice we have seen made again and again, to this very day.
We realize it is hard for others to conceptualize the magnitude of what we’ve been dealing with. Is not over 400 predators enough to create a burning desire in everyone to expose and hold accountable those who have been in authority and allowed these atrocities for decades? Even in the midst of the crimes being brought to light, the Overseers have perpetuated the same patterns of neglect and denial, exhibiting very little capacity for change.
We have fielded a great volume of messages inquiring after our next steps. Yes, we have set those plans in motion. Though we know the community is eager to see progress, it will not happen overnight. But do know that our next phase of advocacy is in the pipeline.
In the meantime, we invite you to consider what you are doing, or willing to do, to create exposure AND protection within your community. We hope you will be willing to take a stand for yourself, for all of the survivors who have come forward, and all of those yet to come forward. We need your help. The survivors need your help. The vulnerable need your help. Your vocal and visible support is integral to facilitating a climate in which victims are emboldened to come forward and perpetrators are brought to justice.
We will not be silenced. Nor should you!
In transparency,
Sheri Autrey, Lauren Rohs, and Cynthia Liles
