There is a story in the Southern Minnesota News about another case of sexual abuse in an Amish community. I have heard through a network of other advocates that the survivor of this abuse is looking for support in court tomorrow. Below is the call for help:
URGENT HELP NEEDED: A survivor of felony rape needs your support in court tomorrow. The perpetrator is Chriss C. Stutzman, an Amish deacon in Fillmore County Minnesota. Many Amish community members will be coming to court to support the perpetrator and intimidate the victim and her family. Please show up to stand with the survivor at the sentencing on Monday, September 9 in Preston, MN. If you can help, please contact Barbra Graber, SNAP Mennonite, 540-214-8874 or Molly, 202-718-9537, or show up at the sentencing, 101 Fillmore St. W, Preston, MN by 12:30 tomorrow.
If you cannot make it on short notice, but you know someone in the area who can, please forward this message to that person or those persons.
I will be writing a follow-up post about the outcome of this case.
I wish I could fly to Minnesota today and be there for her tomorrow. Horrific story.
Me too, Johanna. I thought about driving the 17 hours to get there by tomorrow noon. I talked with the survivor, and she said there are people coming forward. I’m so glad.
Another heart breaker!!!! I just don’t understand how he could know what he did wrong and yet pretty much said, “Gee, did I do it that many times???” Seriously!!! Pray she gets the support she will need and I hope it far exceeds his.
Yes, and saying he likes to forget the mistakes he made in the past… don’t we all? But then we don’t learn from them, do we? I will be sending my thoughts and prayers to that courtroom tomorrow. I also hope she gets plenty of support. I know at least one person who is driving through the night from PA to be there. I thought about it, but it’s 17 hours one way.
He says “forget past mistakes” as if it was the mistake of having lied about breaking a dish from grandmother’s favorite Sunday China or a piece of bubble gum stolen from the store as a kid, rather than having stolen the innocence and joy and life of a child.
I find myself feeling horrified and amazed at how lightly so many conservatives respond to molestation and rape. That “forget past mistakes” comment made so lightly in that context has my head reeling and my heart heavy.