And if this makes you angry, hear the names of the people who made this END. The ones who cared, and chose to do what was right, and fought for the truth. Without them, Larry would still be out there.
Detective Andrea Munford who did what NO other Detective had done: fought for the truth right away. She moved immediately. Before evidence could be destroyed, before he could prepare. We had charges in a record time frame, with flawless police work, because she cared.
Chief @jhdunlap1 who didn't let the case die with a local prosecutor but called the AG so we could get charges brought. He and Andrea fought for us when we were so close to being shut out again, after so much effort and work.
An AG who took on the case and sent his best, @AngiePovilaitis . She promised to fight for all of us, and kept her word until the very end. Angie secured the right of every survivor to speak and had an incredible plea deal secured in less time than most survivors see charges.
A rock solid civil litigation team that pushed discovery and secured our right to keep speaking freely, @johnmanly , @MSFLawFirm , Drew, Cooper and Anding firm with Steven Drew, Adam Sturdivant and Robika Garner, and many others.
This is what it took, along with hundreds of survivors, to overcome the failing and outright corruption that had kept Larry abusing for decades. If even one of these people hadn't been fighting for us, the result would not have been the same.
This is what survivors need.
Don't just see the failures that lead here, see also the choices that ended it.
Ask where you might fit in that picture. Ask how you can use whatever influence and position you have, to change the culture, the dialogue, the systems in place.
That's what it takes.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Processing this DOJ report that finally tells what we all already knew. What I strongly suspected was taking place before I even came forward. The dynamics that *prompted me* to come forward so publicly and openly.
So many emotions...
The depth of betrayal - survivors get asked "why didn't you report?" and those who did hear "if it was true they would have done something."
Let it be said clearly today - this is why survivors don't report. Because the very people tasked with protection so often don't.
I will never forget wrapping myself up in a blanket to read the IndyStar story that had my name and face and details videod and catalogued for the world, and for the first time seeing USAG allege that they had reported Larry more than a year and a half earlier. . .
I will never forget reading the IndyStar article about my own story and seeing USAG respond that Larry had been reported over a year ago. The confusion, anger, betrayal, especially from law enforcement, was so heavy...
The three women whose abuse had been reported never should have been left alone, treated as if they did not matter. Had the FBI done their job I never would have been put in the position of having to relinquish every shred of privacy to stop the abuse and coverup.
The dozens of little girls abused after the FBI knew who Larry was and exactly what he was doing, could have and should have been saved. They deserve answers.
Ask any advocate. ANY advocate. If a pastor comes to court, he comes to support the perpetrator. This is universal and nearly unequivocal. The pastors come to support the perpetrators. I have heard four of these types of stories just this week.
Best-case scenario the pastors believe the victim but "don't want to get involved in the legalities" and instruct their staff, counselors, pastors, to stay uninvolved. Even in cases where they are the only witnesses to disclosures and their testimony is vital.
So much for "do justice".
I know some incredible pastors who have gone to court with survivors, and I'm deeply grateful. They would also tell you how rare it is to see that happen.
"Do justice" is a command. Not a suggestion. And we aren't getting it right.
There have got to be a hundred memes on attempted or alleged efforts to "help" on abuse related issues, or institutions facing scandal, that could come from this one picture.
Give it your best shot and post for all our benefit, please.
Just going to remind those who are asking or saying otherwise, that I personally went with Hannah Kate to report her abuse, and I've met with 2 out of the 3 siblings who ALSO corroborate the abuse of everyone and reported to the police. 4 siblings total.
I also talked to multiple pastor who corroborate extrinsic details, including the family repeatedly living out of a van, having no food, the kids receiving no schooling, Jimmy being completely resistant to constructive input, and additional details.
And remember that out of every 300 rapes reported to the police, only six will be charged. I can count on one hand the number of survivors I know who had positive experiences with detectives and prosecutors.