I mentioned in my last post I had contacted Jim Crites, the gentlemen who posted The Survivor Fund Project announcement for Prairie Bible Institute on Facebook. For background on this particular announcement, see the post below. For further background on Prairie Bible Institute, just click the hyper-linked tag at the bottom which reads Posted in Prairie Bible Institute, or use the internal search engine on the right sidebar.
This is his response.
1) Who is administering the fund and when was it established?
The fund came about because a group of alumni proposed the idea to the Prairie leadership team in late November. It was approved in mid-December; the details were just worked out last week. The fund will be administered by a group of alumni who care about the hurting and wanted to find practical ways to help. It is by design an alumni-driven and alumni-administered plan. We are aware that some survivors will not feel comfortable sharing their stories to current Prairie staff members, so the hope is that a group which is at arm’s-length from Prairie will be seen as safer.
2) How was the fund set up? In other words what consultation process did you and your colleagues engage in? ie: who participated in the set up of this funding group? Faculty, administration, abuse survivors, administration, legal team, Centre Street staff, mental health professionals, etc?
We brainstormed the idea with a number of people, including alumni, former Prairie staff kids, abuse survivors, people in helping professions and ministries before proposing it to the PBI leadership. As to the legal question, the funds will be handled according to the requirements of Revenue Canada. We did not consult with Centre Street Church because they were not named as a 3rd party “listening” organization at the time; that took place after the fund was approved.
3) The announcement states that funds will be dispersed on a case by case basis for counselling, travel costs and other resources. In your consultation process what ‘other resources’ does your team anticipate funding? In other words what does ‘other resources’ mean to your project team?
We have so far suggested that ‘other resources’ could include books, DVDs, workshops, and seminars. However, this list is not set in stone, as we are prepared come up with other creative resources to help a survivor on his/her journey.
4) What did your team determine is the definition of abuse survivor? ie: what types of abuse fit your funding criteria for abused and injured?
The intent is to use the funds to help survivors of sexual and physical abuse, and physical abuse which could be considered severe enough to be a breach of Canadian law. Getting the strap in Grade 4, for example, would not likely qualify, even though we might concur that it was unfair punishment! The abuse must have been perpetrated in the context of Prairie life by someone connected to Prairie, such as a current staff member or current student.
5) The announcement states that interested parties applying for funding are to ‘share their stories’ with volunteer alumni, Dr. Mollering and the RCMP. What is the basis of the decision by your team for an applicant to share their story with PBI/Centre Street/RCMP/unknown alumni etc., if the funding is being distributed by PBI?
First, it’s important to be clear that the funding is not being distributed by PBI. PBI will give us access to the monies donated and we will submit expense receipts back to PBI for proper accounting and auditing purposes. PBI will not be given the identities of the survivors unless the survivor so chooses.
Secondly, the decision was made by the Prairie leadership to publicly name three primary options to whom abuse survivors could choose to tell their story. These three options were announced by Mark Maxwell in his December alumni newsletter, and included Centre Street Church, OR this alumni group with this email address, OR the RCMP. The Survivor fund announcement which I posted this week on Facebook simply repeated those options for anyone who might be unaware of them. Perhaps we could have worded this more clearly, but the intent was that survivors contact ONE of the 3 options, not all three! The only thing changed (added) by this week’s announcement on FB was the availability of funds.
b) What did your team determine were the necessary qualifications for the volunteer alumni who are to receive these stories?
The only qualifications are to love people, have a heart to help the wounded, and understand Prairie’s sub-culture. A number of us are abuse survivors, and I expect all of us have had to work through issues related to legalism (though we didn’t conduct a survey about that!). Our role is to simply listen to stories as fellow Prairie staff kids and alumni. It is not to provide professional therapy or legal advice, though we are likely to direct survivors to those resources as we listen to their stories. In short, this is really about relationship, much like we would offer to a friend in crisis. There are at least 20 people available to listen to stories, and from them, 2-3 people who will handle the distribution of funds. We have already had a number of people come to us and receive real hearing and understanding, and are moving forward in their healing journey. We are not into pat answers and the easy “forgive and forget” theology. And survivors are welcome to share their story even if they don’t happen to need funding.
c) How is an applicant to communicate with the alumni? ie: phone, email, face to face?
The best way is to start is by sending an email to this address. (prairiealums (at) gmail (dot) com. Once a relationship established, the parties involved are free to decide for themselves how they want to communicate. So far, we have used Facebook, Skype, email, telephone, and personal visits.
d) Who sees these applications/applicant in the vetting process? ie: Alumni/staff/Centre Street Church staff, legal team, etc?
There is no application process. If you want to talk, simply contact us. We will try to find out where you are in your healing journey, and then determine if some financial assistance would help you make additional progress. The conversations are confidential; it’s your story to tell, not ours. The Prairie leadership has made it very clear that they do not want to know the identification of survivors unless a survivor chooses to tell. This, of course, within the bounds of Canadian law as it relates to any current criminal activity.
e) Where is PBI posting the names and qualifications of staff/alumni/outside parties who are privy to the information (story) an applicant submits?
There is no intent on PBI’s part to post this information anywhere. It is confidential between the survivor and the listener who is walking with that survivor. Nor is this a highly-structured, officious program with lots of hoops. We are simply lay volunteers who want to help our fellow staff kids and alumni find healing
f) What information do you require from an applicant in their story? ie: Has your team compiled a list of questions for the applicant?
The intent is that this is an informal relationship, like supporting a hurting friend through a crisis. There are no requirements to talking; the survivor is free to tell their story as they wish. We have no list of questions, as we are not a counseling centre with intake forms. We are simply there to listen and care, and if people so desire, make recommendations for helpful resources.
6) Was Dr. Mollering (Centre Street Church) consulted as to the nature of the project process and the use of her name in the announcement?
We informed her via email on December 16th after PBI announced that Centre Street Church would be involved in listening to survivor stories. It was a simple “heads up” to the possibility that there could be some collaboration between CSC and this alumni group in helping survivors. Her name was listed in this week’s FB announcement as one of the options for survivors to choose from, in the same way that Mark Maxwell’s December alumni letter did.
7) Were the RCMP contacted and asked to provide survivors with your group information and announcement on this offer of financial assistance for survivors?
No, they weren’t. The intent of listing the RCMP was to reiterate the options available to survivors, not to connect them to the way the funds will be distributed. Hindsight is a wonderful thing…it appears that the way we worded the FB announcement inadvertently created some confusion in this regard! What we wanted to communicate is that 1) survivors had options, and 2) that some criteria are in place for survivors to receive funding, as expected by the donor base and within Revenue Canada’s guidelines. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
Thanks for your time, I look forward to your response.
You are very welcome. I hope this explanation was helpful, but if there are still some things we can clarify, please don’t hesitate to write again. We want it known that our greatest desire is for healing for the survivors and justice for those who caused the abuse. We are honored to be part of the solution whenever a survivor so chooses.
The Survivor Fund Project announcement:
Update: The Survivor Fund Project members have identified themselves as John Kepler (PHS ’71, PBC ’75), Jim Crites (PHS ’78, PBC ’82), Mim Carlson Phibbs (PHS ’59, PBC ’63), Brenda Boytim Morrison (PHS ’74, PBC ’78), and Priscilla Virts Johnson (PHS ’72).
Update: It was noted elsewhere online I did not highlight the education of the team. That is correct, I did not know their educational backgrounds. Jim Crites has a counselling degree (Masters) from Providence Seminary in Manitoba, and John Kepler received a Masters in Pastoral Counselling in the U.S. Another unnamed Survivor Fund Project member is completing a Masters in counselling.
As I see it, most people worship the god of violence and sexuality. This god in the Christian bible must die. So I hereby propose a new idea, don’t worship a lower class god like these in the bible churches, which led to sexual violence. Instead, do right, and let god worship you. If God is in the gods you acknowledge, let this god worship you by being the honest, good person. That is my solution, and rid of the religious whores every where. Amen.
Thanks for responding, Mr. Tim Callaway.
Bene: Is the IP address of ‘Don’ close to or exactly like Mr. Whaples? Just verifying to see if there is anything going on that shouldn’t be, is all. Thank you.
Hi Wanda:
Nope. Don is coming out of Alberta.
Is this Don Maxwell, another relative of Mark??
Hi Ben:
I honestly don’t knowm and to be honest I don’t care – IP’s are easy with Word Press, but it depends on the persons email addy for example: Benhoho (at) roadrunner doesn’t tell me who that person is.
And it’s smart to use a throwaway email addy on forums, blogs and websites.
Yes, let the truth be known in it’s entirety. Let’s finally see who has been telling the truth and who has not. I’m more than willing to go to court to see who is lying, are YOU?? By the way, the official independent RCMP have not charged ONE person with all the myriad allegations Linda Fossen has made? I have documented them all. Very interesting……How many criminal accusations has she made?? 100+ victims?? Not ONE confirmed allegation subjected and supported by scrutiny by an independent, legally appointed third party law enforcement agency?? I hope Linda has a very good explanation why not ONE allegation has stood up to independent, legal, RCMP scrutiny?? Lets see what the courts say to unmerited accusations that ruin innocent peoples lives.
Nice to hear from you again Fred (or is it Don). You don’t have a clue what you are taking about. Nice try though…
First of all, the RCMP investigation was into ten individual cases of abuse that were reported by the victims themselves. I was just one of the ten victims and when the RCMP took my report it was for the abuse involving me and my father – nothing more. The RCMP did not do an investigation into 100 cases. They do not take second-hand cases – it has to be the individual victim themselves who report the crimes committed against them.
As to the reason why the ten cases were not pursued further by the Crown after the RCMP investigated them, I do not have privy to that information. I don’t even know all the names of the ten who made their individual reports.
The RCMP made it crystal clear last fall that they were not investigating the school but individual cases of abuse. As for the rest of your comments, I guess the truth will prevail in the end.
Hey Don. I don’t know if I am one of the 100. I do not know Linda Fossen and she doesn’t know my story. I have not yet made a complaint with the RCMP. I have my reasons. Every time you start with your garbage makes me more determined to come forward. It is abusive people like you that allowed my life to be destroyed. It doesn’t matter what gets reported or charged. The TRUTH is the TRUTH. Many of us were abused in terrible ways. I do not need you to believe it. It happened. There are lots of us out here. Just waiting for our time to be heard.
Don, Wanda,
I’m also here to say the victims are real– add me to the list — I wish it wasn’t true but it is– there are many of us– but whether it be 10 0r 20 or 100 or 200– it is too many–pray for us and for Prairie to do what is right to prevent more abuse.
Anonymous, so glad you spoke out…It is an honor to stand with you. Know there are many who are still waiting to be heard, you are not alone. Please reach out to someone – you don’t have to do this alone…
I would be delighted to hear from you if you so choose. If not, please find another survivor who can be your support. It does get better, I promise!
Hey Don,
Who died and made you god to judge the survivors?? You are not helping — why would you get in the way of justice and healing?
Hey, sadly it is true:
Please do not dump me in with Don, thanks!
I know of survivors personally; I am a friend to many. Thank you.
Thank you for your courage in speaking out Anonymous, and Sadly it’s true. It’s an honor to stand with you and all the survivors who have yet to be heard. I was priviledged to be invited to share my message at a recent TED conference, and releasing your truth is both empowering and encouraging to other survivors. Be brave with your story and voice. Truth sets us free!
Between Wanda, Linda and I, we know support and love way to many survivors from Prairie!
It is understandable how you, Wanda, were lumped in with Don. A few short posts ago it was you bashing, bad mouthing, denying and harming, your surprise is, well, surprising.
I think Don is parroting the gossip around PBI, and I think he is saying is what some PBI alumni and people in Three Hills really think.
Assume there are 15 thousand PBI alum, half of which are dead or ill, so lets assume about 7 thousand could be potentially aware PBI is dealing with abuse allegations.
Of that group, if 1500 have glanced at media reports, I think that is a generous number – what are they going to think?
Who went out front with pr in November? PBI and The Survivor Fund Project/Healing Team on behalf of PBI.
Let’s take a look at what Don has said, keeping in mind he is reflective of the PBI mentality and message and I think the gossip on the streets of Three Hills.
Don has given an all hat and no cattle litany.;^)
“The RCMP have laid ZERO charges as of June 20, 2012″
(Publicly known fact)
Interesting, not ONE charge is substantiated against Prairie???
(Publicly known fact. Don has been given information here in the comments section on why lack of charges occurs with dreary regularity)
“You say now that abuse at PBI was historical, yet not long ago,
you said PBI abuse was very current (within a few number of years).
(Don hasn’t checked those facts against recent media reports.
Global, Open File)
Don’s Beliefs:
Linda is a fraud, has no integrity
Linda is in this to sell books
Linda has made allegations against an innocent
Linda makes allegations against someone she wants to
character assassinate
Linda Fossen has made myriad allegations
There aren’t 100+ victims of various types of abuse
(over a 90 year history)
“How many criminal accusations has she made?? 100+ victims??”
PBI abuse survivors {Linda Fossen} have made “unmerited
accusations that ruin innocent peoples lives.”
Don believes lives have been ruined by Linda’s ” false criminal accusations”
Don wants:
“Linda to issue a public apology to PBI
…all the inconsistencies to your fabrications against Prairie,
which are totally supported by law enforcement.”
Wants to go to court to see who has been lying
Wants a class action suit against Linda (by extension PBI abuse survivors)
Wants 100 million dollars
Wants to seek legal counsel
I think Don genuinely doesn’t understand why the RCMP didn’t lay charges;
therefore in his mind, PBI abuse survivors are falsely charging.
Don respects authority as indicated by a public letter to RCMP he wrote awhile ago.
Don has an issue with the ‘facts of the allegations’ and ‘inconsistencies of fabrications’ but despite repeated requests here at BDBO, Don hasn’t come out with anything substantial (common with small town gossip and partial information). Don’t hold your breath people.
I think Don’s comments have been valuable – he comments like Wanda did before she buckled down and sought out information for herself. His beliefs are similar to the person who did the Christmas videos and like Fred Whaples. The us/them dynamic PBI is infamous for. That shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. I believe Don’s comments are reflective of the milieu at PBI and the social climate on the streets of Three Hills.
I have many, many questions. It seems that “Bene Diction”is scared to publish them. Bene? Please publish the $100,000,000 class action lawsuit that is pending against Linda Fawcett for false criminal allegations that have been proven totally unsubstantiated by the Canadian RCMP charged under Federal jurisdiction by the claims of Linda Fossen. Not ONE claim has been verified, or proven by the RCMP, despite the 100+ documented allegations by Linda Fossen. ( I still await Linda’s fabricated numbers as to the real numbers of victims…how many victims DID come forward Linda??) I repeat, $100,000,000 is a very conservative figure, given that Linda’s claim’s has no merit whatsoever in a Canadian criminal court or in any court of law, criminal or civil. Please respond ASAP, and if you think the RCMP has been negligent, please state that too. I’m sure the Canadian RCMP would love to hear your allegations against them. Actually, it already has been documented. I eagerly await your response. Cheers, Don
You can ask your questions Don, certainly on FB and here if you’d like.
If you actually file a case, you won’t need me publishing it – the media will be all over you like white on rice. If you actually file a case, send me a copy.
If you actually file a case, your lawyer will want to announce it.
Who is Linda Fawcett?
In Hebrew, F = P, and c could be Q, so we get this New person:
Linda Pawquett. Maybe she is a native American who suffered at the hands of the European invaders.