I don't talk about this much because I'm... really bad about 'marketing' myself. But with things finally opening back up and travel resuming, I thought I'd remind people about one of the primary components of my work: Speaking & educating on the dynamics of sexual abuse.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to speak at an incredible variety of events which allows me to draw on my unique training and experiences to address diverse audiences. From school-aged children to the elderly, there is no segment of society untouched by this scourge.
I am a recurring guest of both the US Military Academy at West Point and the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, training future officers about the type of leadership required to respond to the plague of sexual assault.
I speak to school children about where their true value lies and ways they can protect themselves and others from harmful situations.
I've lectured at Columbia Law school, NYU Law school, ABA panels, numerous legal conferences, and gave the commencement address at the Brandeis School of Law in 2018.
One of my favorite types of organizations to support are Children Advocacy Centers. These centers are on the frontline of caring for victims of abuse, & I have spoken at numerous fundraisers for these organizations. I love to partner with them!
I have lectured on a large number of college and university campuses, including Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkely, USC, Pepperdine, and many others. These events are always incredibly well received as I bring my message of courage, healing, hope, and prevention to these communities.
I also speak for groups pushing legislative reforms, another area I am passionate about. For instance, my testimony to the Vermont legislature was instrumental in helping that state pass sweeping reforms to their statute of limitation laws.
I have keynoted many conferences for women's groups, law enforcement organizations, social workers, and other experts in the field of sexual and domestic abuse prevention and treatment.
If you or your organization is looking for a speaker for your event or fundraiser who can address the topic of abuse as both a recognized expert & a survivor, I would love to work with you! You can reach out through the form on my website, here:
Guidepost is a highly skilled and qualified firm and I have confidence in their ability to do what the SBC needs.
HOWEVER, the ability to do what they are capable of will depend on the EC letting them do their job. Here's what you should ask for that isn't commissioned yet:
The EC has NOT included all paid, appointed or elected leaders or staff of the Convention in this commission. The scope should be broadened to include these official actors.
The EC has NOT committed to waiving privilege so that Guidepost has access to all data and information. This step is absolutely critical, but the EC alone can make this move, and any firm hired would be inhibited by a refusal to do so no matter how good the firm.
This cannot be characterized as anything less than dishonest. I am beyond disappointed that at every opportunity to stand for the truth, Ronnie Floyd has deflected and refused to be honest, causing so much damage to so many. This is not honest.
There was absolute refusal by Ronnie, most EC members and the credentialing committee, to address the issue of abuse, or even discuss best standards.
No one wanted these men to emerge as strong leaders more than the survivors who desperately needed their leadership.
I pleaded for months for Ronnie to speak with me to address the intentional defamation of Jen Lyell, with no legal action needed. Jen had already plead for months as well.
Ronnie would not even speak to me. We were literally told by staff that legal action was required.
What does Augie Boto and USAG have in common? Protecting THE SAME pedophilic coaches.
It was this incredible woman's story that made me come forward. It was her abuser that Augie tried to protect in 2018, using his SBC credentials (thread).
Becca's coach was convicted of multiple counts of severe sexual assault against a minor. She was not the only survivor. Boto's son was friends with this coach. Boto decided to attend the original trial, by his own testimony, because he got "interested" in it.
First, consider how unusual it really is to take time from a very busy schedule, to attend the trial of a serial pedophile, out of "interest", when there was no personal relationship between this coach and Boto himself.
When I was working on Jen Lyell's case, I repeatedly requested this step be taken and pointed out that in fact, Jen's case is NOT the only time the SBC EC has defamed or incorrectly reported a case of abuse. Rather, they could do this to Jen because they'd done it before (thread)
Notice in Dr. Moore's letter where he recalled a former SBC leader (still pastor) who resigned due to something involving sexual sin. That resignation was publicly reported as a "moral failure", but it wasn't an accurate report. Note Dr. Moore's question:
"I asked Ronnie Floyd if the EC ever planned to release information beyond the amorphously worded “moral failing” language at the time of his resignation, about whether this former president had abused spiritual and pastoral authority with the woman in question in this incident."
The worst pain for a survivor is the institutional betrayal - losing everyone, finding out the abuse might have been prevented or stopped, and that you are powerless to save others.
SBC Messengers, hear are some things you desperately need to hear:
Everything that Dr. Moore laid out in his letter was preventable - the abuse, mistreatment, bullying, intimidation, defamation of survivors - it was all preventable.
It was preventable because this type of behavior has been long-known and reported on. Survivors and advocates have been sounding the alarm on these exact dynamics for decades.
I drafted model language and standards and web content for the Credentialing Committee at the request of one person working for the EC who wanted this done well.
They would not speak to me, nor accept or seek help from anyone.
On the Caring Well curriculum team alone there were 2 attorneys, 1 clinical psychologist, the detective who oversaw the Nassar investigation, and multiple licensed counselors and social workers. None of us, no one, was asked to help draw up best standards investigation practices.
Repeatedly Cred. Comm. leaders told @SusanCodone they couldn't do anything because the policies limited them. Forgetting to add that THEY created the policies they blamed for their troubles, or that they could change them at any time, or that model guidelines were even provided.