Whistleblower

[JLBW]

Originally Posted by Nell

JLBW,

Thank you for coming to the forum and telling your story. You are right. Nothing can change what happened to you and, who knows how many others who were abused by men in the Local Church. I cannot bring myself to refer to these people as "brothers".

The abuse apparently continues to this day.

How can we help? This forum could be a starting place. If you know other sisters who have suffered as you have, consider encouraging them to come here and at least read. Start with Whistleblower. There is a LOT of information and conversation in this topic. Also, Martha and Marry's House is a good private place for women to share among other women.

There are a couple of posters who contributed to Whistleblower with an obvious goal of derailing the subject. To me this only shows how important this topic is to the sisters and important to the house of God that this sin be exposed and dealt with.

Again, thank you for sharing with us, and I am so sorry for 1) the sexual abuse you suffered by a man you trusted, and 2) the way you were treated when you exposed this abuse. I am praying for you.

Nell

1 Timothy 5:19-21
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Thank you Nell! I feel stronger and freer now that I've said it out loud. But in also afraid of DCP and what they might try to do to shut me up. Could they sue me?

[Nell]

Originally Posted by JLBW

Thank you Nell! I feel stronger and freer now that I've said it out loud. But in also afraid of DCP and what they might try to do to shut me up. Could they sue me?

Yes. They could sue you. However, anybody can file a lawsuit any time against anyone for any reason. Frivolous lawsuits are filed and thrown out of court every day.

* A lawsuit against you by DCP, if it goes forward, could backfire. It could open a door for you to testify and call witnesses. Those who have also been abused could line up to tell their story in open court and name names. But who knows? DCP exists for the purpose of filing lawsuits.

* Does DCP have a cause of action against you? You have not damaged DCP. You could file a counter claim against it for harassment.

I used to be a legal secretary and legal assistant. I have a degree in "Law and Order". I know enough to be dangerous !

Your question "Can they sue me?" is exactly what DCP wants in the back of people's minds. This is the image it wants to portray. Because of DCP's litigious history, it looms large as a deterrent against anyone speaking out. It's history provides a bully pulpit without it saying a word. It wants people never to forget who is running the show: DCP.

Remember the Wizard of Oz? The man behind the curtain? His power was an illusion.

Nell