“Let Us Prey” | Survivors Seek Justice Against IFB Youth Pastors
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- Опубликовано: 8 июн 2024
- The Independent Fundamental Baptist church is known for having extreme views on “worldly” things. Women are over-s3xualized to the point where even the very young are blamed and punished for “temping” men into hurting them. Kathy was one of those young women. Her pastor purposely protected the perp and she was ostracized by family, friends and other church members. Our previous episode with her (linked below) illustrates the awful details of her childhood. In this episode, we speak more on the blaming, shaming, and further victimization of other girls who sought justice.
My IFB Youth Pastor Groomed Me. I Was Blamed.
• My IFB Youth Pastor Gr...
Watch her on the documentary called “Let Us Prey” on Max
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Chapter Markers
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:31 Kathy was yelled at by the Pastor's wife for what he did to her
00:06:46 The Pastor asked young Kathy afterward if she was pregnant
00:11:06 Kathy was punished with chores
00:12:38 Church lawyers explain they are supporting the perp
00:16:12 Pastor Goddard manipulated everyone to cover it up
00:20:45 Kathy's sister's boyfriend took notes from Kathy's perp
00:26:56 Why IFB can be considered a cult
00:29:18 Kathy's BIL is suspiciously announced to be starting a church
00:30:34 Multiple women came forward with SA allegations against Kathy's BIL
00:33:10 How Kathy was ostracized and picked on because of her ab*se
00:33:56 TW: thoughts of su*c*de
00:35:30 Kathy was completely alone in her struggles
00:37:43 TW: thoughts of su*c*de
00:38:19 30 yrs later, Goddard continues to lie and cover up Kathy's ab*se
00:46:30 How Kathy emotionally handled her story being brought out again
00:50:45 Her BIL pleading guilty- not that bright
00:52:32 Investigators had Kathy call her perp to get a confession
01:02:38 Kathy gets some justice almost 30 years later!
01:10:16 When did Kathy start to see the IFB for what it really was?
01:12:25 The court gave no mercy to her ab*ser
01:25:17 How Kathy is doing now
01:29:16 Find and support Kathy!
01:30:06 Linda, Listen
Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara
*Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.*
The criminal who assaulted you, the pastor who abandoned you, and your parents who held the assault you suffered against you - they all let you down completely. I hope you find peace and happiness in your future
I think the parents got payed to shut up.
@@anettas.1751they likely didn't need to be when they'd been brainwashed to find the child at fault automatically.
@@anettas.1751 I think it’s more insidious than that. If he had given out money that would be more clearly criminal. The “church” members had to be completely committed, they followed the pastor without questioning, they feared him like God. They sold their souls, their reasoning, their children. We must always be discerning, be questioning, “is this really what God wants? Is this good?”
I recently joined a cult, they of course didn’t identify themselves as one. I believed a few things in the beginning, then committed myself to the community. Six months later I realized from questions my daughter was asking me, that I had let the group control my thinking and actions and had participated in influencing others similarly. I had been “disciplined” by the group for something I didn’t think was wrong, but was willing to compromise to stay in the group. Thank God my daughter kept pointing things out and I was finally able to realize that my genuine trust had been misplaced in people who manipulated my trust for control and power.
@@Jana_PalmTree thank you for the comment. I red it all. You have got a point there, i forgot about the group pressure. The social factor. You also have the experience that i am lacking. Thank you.
@@Jana_PalmTree I am so glad that you trustet your child. Thats beautyfull. We fall for cults cause we are ill or we feel lonely. I hope you manage to get out of the need for a group. You are a good parent. You deserve to have a high self worth and enjoy solitude and a managable, healthy social circle.
I grew up IFB and was not a victim of abuse but witnessed others being abused. I still have issues dealing with the mindset of the IFB. These documentaries have been so helpful to realize that no I was not imagining things that were pounded into me.
“They think I’m worth justice”
This made a shiver go down my spine. Cathy must be one of the strongest people I’ve ever seen. To live how she did for so long and find herself like she did, I can’t even find the words for it. Bravo.
I started bawling at that point, it broke something in me
You said this perfectly! Exactly how I felt. Kathy is an amazing storyteller and so strong to fight for herself and others when no one who was supposed to love and support her did. Thank goodness Kathy found a good husband and built a great family on her own rather than end up in more destructive relationships. That's shows real strength
Thank you for standing up and using your voice, Cathy. I love that you're able to turn the evil that was done to you into a desire to help other survivors!
This makes me _so angry._ The adults around her should have taken her in their arms, told her she was safe now, told her they were SO sorry that this man SHOULD NOT HAVE ever touched her!! 😭😭😭 The betrayal trauma from all of these people who were _supposed to_ be protecting her is life altering!!!!
I am SO pissed off for you, Kathy!!! ❤ You are worth SO MUCH!!!
Right! Instead her mother was having lunch with a woman who called her 16 year old daughter a whore for being molested.
That alone makes me furious.
How powerful. "What's my innocence worth?" Moved me to tears. What a beautiful example of justice after so many years. I'm glad people finally stood up for Kathy and she stood up for herself.
I shared my story in a speech class. Not graphically but I referred to it. One of my anonymous comments on that speech was “thank you. I thought I was all alone”. I ended that speech with Break the Silence. Break the cycle. That note showed how true it is.
Wow! So powerful!
@@CultstoConsciousness thanks! It’s why your work is so important. You give people a voice which in turn is heard by those who need to hear it. Even if it’s just people who are kinder just in case.
What all these people did to her is absolutely disgusting.
Why are people so willfully ignorant about what is going on in these churches? It’s ridiculous 🤦🏼♀️
Because they’re mad they can’t be blind anymore, to avoid pain.
One thing I've found is that people want to be ignorant. They don't want to have to think for themselves because it is overwhelming. So they end up in high-control groups because they are the only ones telling you exactly what to do, how to do it, when to do it. It is the path of least resistance and let's them disconnect from the world and the decisions the world requires. They may see the abuse and be conflicted, but to take action against the person who tells you what to do is akin to jumping headfirst into hell. They aren't willing to go to hell (a place where they have to research and make their own choices) over a thing like abuse. Besides, "these are just our temporary vessels, so abuse really is just a temporary, earthly thing. Really, once we get to heaven there won't be any abuse because that's an earthly thing"
Ultimately, it is fear. They don't realize it but they have been brought to a point where every decision has the potential to decide their fate. Things as small as what to eat, or who to talk to. Fear is an INCREDIBLY strong influencer. If you make some afraid, they are much, much more malleable and willing to obey because that fear is only being held back by the "leader".
Because the lead pastor is embarrassed it happened ‘on their watch’, and they would rather throw the victim ‘under the bus’ quietly than lose their reputation as a lead pastor. It’s an ego thing.
The church members are manipulated and conditioned into victim shaming. Hence the reactions Kathy got from the adults when she told them.
But there comes a time when one needs to step out of the circle and take a long hard look.
But they must be brave, that is why they are too scared to react differently. Often these advocates are ostracised too.
Unfortunately outside people think this is Christianity. It is the abuse of the Christianity concept to allow perpetrators to abuse the innocent.
@@emmaray9917 Child abuse is also an ego thing.
I was sexually assaulted as a child. What Kathy said about just wanting to be seen as worth it and cared for is so true. I spent so much of my adult life trying chasing things or degrees, trying to be a good kid so I'd be loved or be seen as worthy. He left me with a black hole. I was only 9.
I'm so sorry that happend to you, it shouldn't have. For what it is worth from a stranger: you are inherently worthy, nothing can take that away. I see you and your story and I hope that you can find peace with what happend
@@kimthegrey Thank you ❤️❤️❤️
You are worthy ❤️
I am so, so sorry 😢 You should not have had to endure this....not at ALL.
Me too
A mother not protecting her teenage vulnerable child to go through hell
What a horrible human
Break the silence. Break the cycle.
Always
So, I went to the CA sex offender’s list. It says this POS is ‘in violation.’ So I assume he is out there not complying with the order to tell them where he is, not sure. Folks need to report him if they know where he is.
If women were healed, we could change the world. Yes, ma’am, but these people will fight this tooth and nail. We just have to know that, and keep fighting.
Thank you!
Kathy, it is SO good to hear someone get justice from abuse. I was sexually abused by two family members at different times befire the age of 6, then a pedophile manipulated himself into my family and sexually abused me from 11 and almist 13 . I was glad we moved away. At the age if 27 i finally told my mom and her answer was, "i am glad you never told me because I would not know what to do." I told my grandmother and said to her, " I don't know why i never told anyone when I was a kid and her answer was, " I thought that happened to all girls." That shocked me and told me she also was abused and so was my mom. My mom and I were close and she died at 50, now i am 67 and wish i had not held all the shame until a few years ago I actually found that the perpatrater even at age 93 was still alive. I wrote him a 9 pg letter but it was returned unopened. Sometimes it is hard to realize that my mom allowed Tony for at least two overnight visits without questioning me or giving me information. But when you understand each persons past, it makes more sense. Makes me wonder if your perpetrater was made to feel like it was accepted since the church gave him a deal. He did say to you dont let your girls go to church. I was not part of a cult yet when groomed from early on and thrratened if you tell, you learn to keep it to yourself which turns into a a feeling of being worthless. My mind says, why let an hour of one of the things he did to me effect my whole life in certain sexual acts. I learned to numb out as a kid which was body learned through my adult years too.
Glad you will be a therapist.
One question, have you ever asked your mom if she was sexually abused?
You went through so much, it's terrible what adults can do to children 😭 My grandmother also says it happened to all girls in her village, they just knew (or learnt the hard way) who to avoid...
"THEY THINK I'M WORTH JUSTICE"!! 🥺🥺😭😭
We all cryin - man we all needed to hear that - especially her.. wow. thank you!
When she told about the victim impact statement reading and how it got the judge to rethink his decision I was so elated but crying at the same time! It gives a person hope!
Thank you, Cathy. You are helping women and girls who are trapped in religious cults and are being abused.
Abusive husbands can and do regard and treat their marriages cult like. Mine would put me down constantly. Towards the end would not even talk to me. We have been apart for 18 months. He currently tells me to move back home. I had to set him straight that I will never live with him again. We were married 33 years.
Thank you for telling your story. Kathy you are worthy.
This is so true, and I'm glad people are talking about it now. I'm glad YOU are talking about it.
My mother went from a controlling religious group and a bad marriage, right into a toxic dynamic with a new boyfriend (who "saved" her from that marriage and religious group). She stayed with him for over 20 years and is not over it, but I'm proud of her for coming so far. During that time, she acted like his word was law, and I was dragged along into their tiny cult, but I knew it wasn't right (just as I knew the church i was born into wasn't right.) We all have our foibles, and we have our journeys to take, and I'm just so proud of anyone who has to go through it and makes it out the other side.
I'm 6 months free today🎉 from my abusive husband of 7 years. The world is so beautiful when you leave the lies.
So glad she shared this story. So disgusted with pedophiles and abusers hiding in churches then the manipulative power lovers that protect them!
Round 2. Ready to get angry for her again. Those church “lawyers” are suss as heck!!!!
The bit with the churches lawyers, that....really doesn't seem ethical.
Edit: Checked with my wife (currently prepping for the bar) and it very much goes against the rules of ethics they learn lol
Thank you for that context!
Yet somehow these people never end up disbarred. Does your wife have any insight into that phenomenon?
@@FortheLoveofBees they're doing the Lord's work, defending churches from the evil attacking them. You can't go after these bastards, they'll always play the victim card, lie, cheat and manipulate their way out of it.
Kathy my heart goes out to you girl, sending nothing but love to you, your strength and spirit amaze me, I was a mess after I left my church. And you hun went through so much and you are shining your light! These stories need to be told for all of us who were affected by these teachings growing up. I support you so much !
Yes, we absolutely need updates on Kathy and her ventures! I am in awe of what a genuinely incredible person she is. The way she is healing her pain through helping others to heal from theirs is something I think all of us survivors of trauma aspire to do. But she is making it happen and devoting her life to it, truly a badass! ❤
Thank you for what you do, it’s important. I’m a survivor, and I was thinking that when I left my cult, I was still very brainwashed until I started reading other people’s stories online. When I saw that I wasn’t alone, it was life changing for me. It’s such a hard and scary thing to do. This community is a gift to fellow survivors, who have all dealt with feelings of being alone and outcast. We are here, and we need other people to validate us because we’ve been told we’re wrong and bad our whole lives. No more. ❤️
Me, too, Melina ❤😢 Reading/hearing others stories has been so cathartic and validating. It's helped me understand what I went through and has helped me heal.
@@starlingswallow ❤️
You’re definitely (sadly) not alone. ❤️❤️❤️ we can all stand together.
@@CultstoConsciousness at least I’m in good company! ❤️
Commenting again. Kathy you are amazing!! I don’t know why your abuser didn’t get a harsher sentence and other abusers. My children’s abuser ( it was sexual) got 32 years and served it all. I think they all should get at least that if not more. It does affect your whole life, my kids who are in their 40s now are still very affected though have had tons of support and counseling as have I. Dude note, my Daughter is also a nurse and worked in the ER. :)
I live in So Cal in the IE. I heard about this on the news and im so happy you had Kathy on.
One of the most interesting story I have heard on your channel. This survivor has the gift to tell her story in a way that kept me interested from the beginning to the end! As a survivor myself, I am getting healing from listening to the great guests you have! Keep up the good work!
Love to hear that! Thanks for sharing ❤️
It's mind boggling that men in these groups have all of the power and none of the responsibility for anything.
I’m so sick of seeing all these beautiful woman,sharing the horrendous stories of their childhoods.Triggets my own sick ,lost childhood memories where no one is there to rescue that child!So glad she’s going for justice 🌎☮️🙏💜💜💜
Thank you, Cathy! The legal system can be so frustrating and disappointing for victims, so I think it helps when amazing people like you share your stories!
Thank you for highlighting the fact that, for the victim, it's a life sentence. And thank you for encouraging women to tell their stories. Love the retreat and jewelry idea.❤
❤️love the channel !
People here are true heroes , Cathy is surely one of them !
It’s an example of honour and force for me to hear all this !
Hats off !!❤❤❤❤
❤️🙌
Not sure if I posted thanks on part 1, but thank you Kathy.
We all survive differently from the abuses we grew up with. You came out of it with a very clear means of identifying what happened (must come after an absolute hill of trauma being sorted over a very long time) and an ability to speak about it that is concise, smart, and self loving. We can see the compassion you have for the self at each stage of interrupted development - this love for our fragmented selves is so crucial to healing, as they are part of us and worked so hard to adapt through a colossal amount of pain and alienation.
I know from my own very different battle what it takes to get to that place of being able to identify what happened, work against the constant, insistent, childhood cognitive dissonance that pops up daily to tell us it wasn't that bad. To find language for things that are not supposed to happen to a child and thereby there is so little ability in the larger world to imagine it and show up for us. I know from past public speaking how much telling our story takes from us and how we must tell it anyway, those of us who can and do.
I have a ton of respect for your intelligence (there's a simplicity in your expression that connotes deep and careful thought), and also compassion.
There are so many people out there who say belittling things about the things you went through and would say about mine if factitious disorder enacted on another had more than one or two representations in public awareness.
I always thank survivors of cults on channels like this one for bringing light to what happened to you. It helps people like me so much. I can't even begin to say how healing it is to hear from other people who had systemic harms combine with family harms, to create an absolute dropped bomb on our sense of selves. And sense of safety? Privileged to know what that can feel like after a near lifetime of doing without.
Wrapping you warm in a blanket of compassion, should you consent. Listening to you, hearing you and grateful for the opportunity.
Thank you for such kind words and thoughtful sentiments. ❤️
The way she talks and expresses herself draws you in and you see it so clearly in your mind. She is a powerful speaker and I think that she will continue to heal people, body, mind, and soul.
I could listen to Kathy all day-- so articulate, organized thoughts, speaks so well. Brilliant woman, a true Shero!
I can't believe her mother, sister, no one ask if she was OK? Hugged her, allowed her to cry! I believe everything she said...I just can't believe the callousness of those around this scared, naive teen! I'm so happy everything turned out the way it did even if it took 30 years.
Kathy,
I'm in a similar boat as you. Not the cult part so much, but a teacher in my high school did exactly the same thing to me. The way you described Goddard reminds me of him so much. My best friend went to the (male) principal and told them. They actively swept it under the rug. It's been 12 years, and I have finally gone to the police. I've never thought that I would be able to actually recieve justice, but your case has inspired so much hope for me. I just asked the detective on my case if I could do a call like you did. Thank you so much for this. I cannot express how much your story has inspired me.
Wow. All those adults who failed you. So disappointing. This interview brought to mind how many incompetent, ignorant, damaged and harmful adults there are in power. Ugh. I wonder what your relationships with your mom and sister are now?
Kathy, you are worthy. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m happy you are thriving in your life! Your work in the world will help so many people. 🙏🌿🌸💖
I usually don't comment but this is the cult that I grew up in from ages 11- 18 I was not SAed but I felt the pressure not to have men be faulted by the flesh. It is so inspiring to hear the stories from those who have been in the same thing and worse. You are such an inspiration thank you.
This made me really rethink a lot of what I went through growing up Southern Baptist. There are so many similarities, it really hit close to home. So happy to be free of that lifestyle
❤️
What a roller coaster. Cathy, you’re a very good story teller, I was captivated through both episodes and I cried right along with you. So so poweful that you shared this!
Thank you. You’ve made me consider telling my story more publicly. I’ve only ever told 3 people. You are appreciated and seen and worthwhile.
"Do you really want your kids around Uncle Bob who smokes?" seems SO EGREGIOUS when we apparently are fine with our kids being around Uncle Bob who is a rap*st.
I you are a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, you know in the last episode when Buffy and Willow work together to make sure that all women tap into the Slayer inside of them. This Church was few of life sucking vampires, and allow you couldn't prevent the attacks - you came out as the champion. Thanks so much for inspiring us all to tell our stories.
Love this comment
Did he get his name on a list of abusers?! Do his neighbors know? Who is he targeting now?
…. Only asking bc I was a victim, my story is very similar. You are a BADASS!!
The only way to overcome it is to TALK ABOUT IT & drain the poison OUT of your system!
I’m not very handy with jewelry though… would help if I can.
Thanks for sharing!!
BADASS INDEED!!!
I love how you listen, and allow people to tell their stories.
❤️🙏
Thanks ladies, I grew up in church, nothing this bad. It is wild what people do to people they supposedly love. Sad really
I grew up in church but I was the nerdy girl so I flew by. However when I was in high school I heard boys talking about how easy it was to get a girl to have sex during the retreats. I left all youth groups after that.
I attended IFB churches gir decades. While i wasn't abused I saw women treated less than human and children scared of their parents. I did witness this abuse preacher's daughter kiss the boy when she was 16 who went to our church and her parents found out and sent her away to an all-girls school back East where any letters she wrote and they wrote to her had to be red and they would be blacked out if they didn't want him to read it and they couldn't even visit except for once or twice a year. All that because she kissed a biy. Meanwhile her brother stayed with us for a few days while her parents had to go out of town and stole from me and I didn't even get an apology or my money back! My husband got orders because we were in the military and I later found out that that same boy SA is 7 year old sister and a 3-year-old brother and the parents knew about it and did nothing except for tell him to not tell anybody
You are definitely right. Speaking up takes their power away. I wish I was strong enough to. I wish I could get justice. It’s sad when people are supposed to protect you and they don’t. Thank you for inspiring me. I loved watching you on Let us Prey.
Thank you so much for telling your story ! I am so sorry for what you had to go through . I just want you to know you are so strong ! You are amazing ! You will help so many women find their voice . ❤
Kathy, thank you for your bravery! I appreciate how you were able to give so many layers to your experience and explain how interconnected all of the abuse was, so we can see how dangerous and manipulative the IFB can be.
Ladies, the worst thing you can do is to stay silent. Expose these predators. This is the only thing that will stop the cycle of abuse. The future depends on our strong, loud voices.
Kathy is a gifted story teller and I'm really grateful she has the courage to tell her story.
I can't express how glad I am to have left the church when my daughters were small 😬
I think you’re an incredibly strong women. I wept for your fifteen year old self. Wishing you so much success for your future ventures.
I wish this channel in England and have been fascinated to learn all about these fundamental religions. Thank you for all your guests sharing their stories. 🙏🏻❤
I don’t know what it is about me, but I have been honoured to listen to many women who have disclosed to me horrific trauma they suffered as children. From the first time this happened, I think I instinctively understood that it had a therapeutic effect and I would just listen and tell them how sorry I was they had gone through that. Some of those disclosures haunt me to this day, but I think how hard it must be for the injured women, when just the second-hand knowledge can hurt so bad.
Oh, that my love could reach back in time and comfort these poor children. 😢
Thank you for being a safe space ❤️
I’m horrified it happens anywhere to anyone. This was in Wildomar where I lived and I had no idea. Seeing this I hope people can see the signs or something to watch out for these victims and somehow report it or something. I know it will still go on but I wish in a perfect world it would just stop. It hurts the victims and their families their whole lives. My heart goes out to them. I wish I knew.
I was in tears listening to this story. I wanted to put my arms around that young girl and tell her all the things she needed to hear. Keep using your voice! Love you.
You Are worth justice. You are worth fighting for. You are worth going to battle for! You are worth the inconvenience, the heartache, the headache, and the mess of a trial.
Those are such powerful statements to a victim.
Thank you, for pointing that out!
What an incredible story from an incredible woman.
I supported a very good friend through pressing charges against her childhood abuser, and the word I kept having for her is "vindication". Even though the sentence doesn't feel enough for the impact of the crime, having the justice system hear and vindicate you is powerful.
Look at all that women can do now. Imagine what they could do if they weren't carrying around trauma.
Added “I have a voice I can use” to the affirmation book.
You are just so amazing, Kathy! It is so encouraging and inspiring to listen to you! The way you share just gives me so much hope and trust that everything is possible! Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for being brave enough to tell your story and to so clearly explain your emotions. I was groomed and then preyed upon at the same age by one of my high school teachers. When you said "someone feels like you should have justice," it touched me so deeply. I wish all of us could have this, but I am very glad your perpetrator was prosecuted.
Why is Goddard still pastoring? I'd like to know why he isn't being brought to justice too.
Kathy, you are so brave. You are a person of value. Your story makes my heart hurt. Know those "pastors" will answer to The Most High for what was done to you. Thank you for not pretending this never happened to you. God bless you.
Unfortunately, All Religions are somehow Corrupt. I wa raised Catholic, but I don't go to church nor do I believe in the Catholic doctrine. I believe in God & i talk to & pray to God in my own way inside my house. Srry, End of Story
Kathy, You're an inspiration.. I wasn't raised in a church at all but the similarities in secular manipulation and gaslighting are stunning. The common denominator is the power differential. The fallout from the trauma isn't fun, to say the least. Thank you for telling your story. Please keep telling it because it helps you and so many other people (like me). To be clear, though I'm sure you already know, it was in no way your fault. Full stop. I wish you all the best in your healing journey. ❤
When I was a teenager, way back in the early 70’s, my dad was an SBC pastor in a little church just a few miles from FBC Hammond. I remember being called a liberal wanna be Christian because we weren’t IFB & I didn’t wear long skirts all the time.
Fast forward to this winter. My mother kept every newspaper clipping or letter ever written to her or by my dad. I have a whole stack of correspondence from that era when Hyles was still in charge & some of it are personal letters from FBC members to my dad written condemning my dad for his more moderate stance on things. Does anyone want this stack of letters/clippings?
Maybe talk to @fundiefridays ?
She’s right, it’s all about money, sex and power. They cover for each other in the name of G-d and rules are changed as needed for their sins. I was in IFB churches and in IBLP. Stuck in a very abusive marriage with a covert narcissist for the last 21+ years. Sought help within the church and even iblp counsellors. The only “help” I was given, which was also taught from the pulpit, ‘if there are issues in your marriage it’s bc you aren’t submitted enough. You need to submit more.’ I believed them.
But it just got worse, not better. I stayed thinking it was the godly righteous thing to do. It has nearly destroyed me. Now getting a divorce but struggle so much with the brain washing from these people that I held in such high regard as untouchably’godly’. Realizing now I never mattered to any of them is the most painful of betrayals. It’s time for judgement to begin at the house of
G-d.
Kathy, you are brilliant. So very glad you've been able to heal and that you're becoming an NP. You have so much insight, you'll be able to help so many. One thing I learned that made sense: Don't expect sick people to make amends, support you, tell the truth...that helped me let go of a lot. I especially identified with the part of your story that there wasn't anyone safe in your life, no one to protect, comfort, support.... I'm 76 and still in the recovering phase; I shake my head, not believing how traumatic it all was. I'm watching Let Us Prey right after this. Shelise, how do you find all of these powerful women? so grateful for your show.
That is the big message, "This is not your fault" I know if more children understood that, they could begin to heal. Thank you for sharing your life with us!
What a POWERFUL interview!! Kathy has DEFINITELY found her voice!!
Love the work y'all do. Hate that it has to be done :/
I am so sorry for you but so impressed with your intelligence, strength and resilience….You must be a wonder ful nurse and mother. Church hierarchy and strict regimented life style is a haven for sociopaths
Thank you for telling your story. You make me want to be like you when I grow (I'm 71) up. I look forward to hearing about what you are doing next!!
Kathy is a great story teller of a very painful story. Incredible story. I think the worst kind of abuse takes place under a church umbrella. Kathy, I sent you pics of some jewellery I made to give you an idea. 😀
Describing the phone calls…. oh man that gave me anxiety flashbacks to a similar situation. Even getting the “new wife”. The feels of trauma come back so easily 😞
This is a good reminder. You are so brave. We see so brave.
This took me a week to get through but the ending was so worth it! I can't believe you used your voice and changed the judges mind. You are amazing you are going to help so many people ❤
1:27:32 You are such an amazing woman, I’m so happy and proud of you and for you! This jewelry and retreat idea is so fantastic! And it WILL make such a difference in these people’s lives! ❤❤❤ you are such an inspiration, thank you for coming forward and speaking out!!!
Shelise, please take care of yourself - we can wait until after you've rested with the babe. Jonathan, your support and gentleness will be so helpful to your love while she manages to bring your dear baby into the world!
The U.S. is drastically behind the rest of the world regarding parental leave. We need time to recover and bond with our children. #DemandStatePaidParentalLeave
The jewelry line sounds absolutely amazing..
Thank you for telling your story you are so strong and inspiring.. I was raised in the Baptist church,(my father was a pastor) I was actually groomed by my mother to end up marrying her affair partne.(I was 15 he was 20). My ex husband and my mother ended up moving us to MT to become "missionaries". Looking back now it was to hide there affair.
I didn't find out about the affair until we were married for a year and had a baby together. I ended up staying with him for 3 more years and having another baby with him.
I ended up getting disowned from my church after leaving due to his 3rd affair because I was just listening to rumors in the church.
I tried to go back home after l left him, turns out even though he was abusive we have to have 50/50 custody and im not allowed to leave MT or he gets custody of the kids. (4 and 6)
Hopefully one day things will work out for me too. ❤
❤ hope you find your healing -so sorry
Hi Kathy! I live in Missoula! Your story is captivating and I’m so happy you got some sort of justice! I can’t wait to see your jewelry line!
These 2 interviews where so enlightening. I guess when the light bulb goes off its both cathartic and difficult to image what has happened to you. Thank you for sharing your story
I have watched so many of these stories. This is the first time I cried. Kathy, I'm so glad you know you are worth it. Stupid people didn't deserve you.
Thank you Kathy and Shelise for this conversation/ testimonial. You are worthy and perfect and always have been. ❤️
What a powerful, badass woman! Thank you Shelise for championing this awesome woman!
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She tells her experience in such a well-constructed, energetic way that her story as a whole is very positive. It can almost give the false idea that in fact cults produce magnificent people. Obviously it is the opposite: magnificent people overcome that past of illness, lies and abuse.
The impact victim statement must have been very intense. You are courageous and an inspiration for many.
Oh my god I always suspected there was IFB presence around in the county grew up and you just confirmed this thank you! You are so brave for sharing your story and survival ❤
Since my abuser never had to face consequences for what he did to me, it feels so good to hear this story and that her abuser had to actually spend time in jail!
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I love this lady and her bravery ❤ worth more than all those corrupt so called men and women of god
Cathy, you are officially my hero. Thank you for giving all of us a voice.
Thank you for this interview! You are doing great work! ❤❤❤❤
You are such an inspirational woman! Thank you for sharing your story. I LOVE the idea of the jewellery line and will be looking out for it. Keep your beautiful smile and outlook on life x
I’m so glad you finally feel someone cared.
I have chills! I am so grateful Kathy got Justice!!!
This is wonderful to give Kathy the voice and justice she deserves!
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So much abuse hides behind a religious veneer. I saw it myself going to a church run boarding school(not IFB). My sixteen year old childhood friend was abused by her teacher and he ran away with her leaving his young wife behind on campus. I will say abused instead of “taken advantage of”. Call it what it is. We all knew what happened and it was never addressed or authorities called as far as I know. I thought that was so messed up. I always wondered what happened to her. Her parents and mine didn’t know each other so I didn’t have a way to get in touch. This was back in the early eighties.😢❤
Kathy is a warrior❤ I love her story minor changes to mine but wow. You have to learn to make yourself proud it took me many many years to learn that don't don't do something to make somebody else proud do it to make yourself proud. And remember nobody's alone❤
My perpetrator passed away years ago and with that all that pain and suffering went with him along with years of therapy
Kathy, you are absolutely amazing! It’s so hard to be your only advocate. You have to be in order to find the right people to help you, especially in the legal system. As a Female I am so proud of you and what you did for YOU!I hope you celebrate yourself for the rest of your life. Sending love, light, and prayers. ❤❤❤
Thankyou for sharing her story. I hope she can continue to heal and unlearn.
I'm so sorry for all that you endured. I am thankful that you finally got some justice. I also grew up in the IFB cult, as well as a few other flavors of Baptist. I regret to say that I have an uncle who worked for that same ministry, and his children attended Hyles-Anderson College. I've never been close to them, because I grew up in Michigan and we rarely saw each other. But what I know of them now, there are signs of trauma.