September 2, 2010 11:36AM
New Tribes Mission
A report says that children whose parents were missionaries in Africa were abused at a boarding school.
Sarah Pulliam Bailey
At least 50 children were sexually and physically abused at a boarding school in Senegal , Africa , in the 1980s, according to a new report.
The report estimates that 22 to 27 children whose parents were missionaries for Florida-based New Tribes Mission were sexually abused while 35 were physically and emotionally abused.
New Tribes had retained Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE) to conduct the study and acknowledged that there was abuse. The report says children were not allowed to complain about the school's conditions.
"They were repeatedly told by those in authority at Fanda that such complaints would hinder their parents' work and result in Africans going to hell," the report said. "In some cases, their letters were censored of all bad news in the name of the Lord's work. The authority of Fanda dorm parents over the children was allowed to trump that even of the parents in their children's lives."
The GRACE report said "no documented efforts were taken to notify local or US authorities regarding criminal actions found in the study."
New Tribes spokeswoman Nita Zelenak said that no one was charged criminally for the allegations. “Because these abuses happened overseas, when we reported them in the United States , we were told that they couldn’t be prosecuted in the U.S.
She said that New Tribes employees would report the names of offenders and would describe what happened. “In each case, it was explained that because it happened overseas, they could not act on it,” she said.
Some of the alleged abusers named in the GRACE report are still with New Tribes, Zelenak said, noting that the report mentioned new names the organization was not aware of.
New Tribes issued a statement on its website, stating it began implementing recommendations made by GRACE in its report.
GRACE recommended that New Tribes establish a standing fund of $1 million for victims.
It recommends that the organization terminate membership for those still affiliated with New Tribes.
It recommends that the organization terminate membership for those still affiliated with New Tribes.
Zelenak said that New Tribes has not paid damages to any children related to the abuse allegations but she said the organization has paid for counseling and other expenses.
"We are deeply saddened by the extent of the abuse reported by GRACE," New Tribes said in a statement. "Individuals in our organization abused children. People in leadership at the time were culpable through inadequate screening and training, creating an atmosphere of legalism and autocracy, and not addressing the abuse properly. This means that we as an organization are responsible and have sinned against these students."
Scott Moreau, professor of missions at Wheaton College
"On the other, it feels to me like it comes up roughly once a decade or so, so it's not 'common' considering how many agencies and missionaries there are around the world," he said. "As expected, it is devastating to the individuals, the organizations, and even the accused."
The Orlando Sentinel first reported the story today.
Earlier this year, Wess Stafford, president of Compassion International, wrote of his childhood abuse in a West Africa boarding school and CT has covered earlier allegations.
COVER STORY
A Candle in the Darkness
The president of Compassion International tells his story of childhood abuse and deliverance in a West Africa boarding school.
A Badly Broken Boarding School
The story behind the cover story.
"the Auschwitz of missionary kid boarding schools."
"As the flames licked closer to my skin, from deep within me arose a gust of strength I cannot fully explain to this day. I had a desperate thought: I could win this time. This time, the houseparent had unwittingly put himself in a place where I could actually win, if I could endure enough pain. I knew in my heart that he was wrong. He was lying, and I felt the evil and injustice to the core of my soul. I was not Satan's tool. I was a little boy with a broken heart who had found his voice and cried out for rescue. So, enough—enough shame, enough abuse, enough lies. It had to stop somewhere, sometime. I made my decision: It stops now! I'm not letting go!
Nothing was going to make me cry out or drop that candle. This is where I would take my stand—this was my little Masada."
COVER STORY
A Candle in the Darkness
The president of Compassion International tells his story of childhood abuse and deliverance in a West Africa boarding school.
A Badly Broken Boarding School
The story behind the cover story.
More links about MK Child Abuse
read cOMMENTS here & post your own by clicking here
Thank you for posting this article. I would like to mention that the abuse did not only happen in the 80's, but up until the school closed down in '97.
More than 20 years later, we, the mk's from Fanda, are speaking out against this. You can find many of our stories on our blog at www.fandaeagles.com
More than 20 years later, we, the mk's from Fanda, are speaking out against this. You can find many of our stories on our blog at www.fandaeagles.com
Posted by: Bea at September 2, 2010
This is just heart breaking. I really pray that the Lord will speak to the leadership at NTM and that they will follow through with the recommendations given by GRACE. Thanks for making people aware through this article.
Posted by: Tammy Bertelsen at September 2, 2010
Scott Moreau's comments hopefully were edited into something that sounds a little more jaded than I'd hope his original thoughts and comments were.
The more I think about this issue, the more I think we should be torches and pitchforks about even a hint of this kind of activity. Absolutely ruthless about rooting this out. There cannot be effective ministry while sin this egregious exists within a body. It is, like the sin of David, a compounding sin--the original travesty combined with the integrity-eroding cover-ups.
I mean it's not like there isn't a macro-version of this exact problem going on worldwide as we speak. The Roman Catholic Church may very well not survive the next 100 years in anything like the form we've seen it be in large part due to their self-inflicted wounds in protecting the exact wrong people in the transaction of molestation.
Posted by: jdg at September 2, 2010
I've been in NTM since I was small and grew up in a boarding school that was loaded with the same abuse and coverups. Altho I was careful, my girls went to Fanda and experienced abuse. Because of two girls from Fanda and the creation of www.fandaeagles.com this story is finally out in the open. They have done a great job and we thank them for it and for your sharing the story. For more information you can go to fandaeagles and ask to speak with Kari or Bonnie
Posted by: Debra Barney at September 2, 2010
I appreciate your coverage of the abuse story coming out of the New
Tribes Mission school. I attended the Fanda school for many years and
was a victim of abuse there. I would like to point out one error in
your article - New Tribes never actually reported the incidents to the
US
hotline, which GRACE notes in footnote 339 of their investigatory
report: "Calls to state hot lines are no substitute for documentable
reporting to the authorities. This is especially true in this case,
as the hotlines were called without disclosing the names of the perps
but simply to inquire if the reports would be taken - which they were
not."
Tribes Mission school. I attended the Fanda school for many years and
was a victim of abuse there. I would like to point out one error in
your article - New Tribes never actually reported the incidents to the
hotline, which GRACE notes in footnote 339 of their investigatory
report: "Calls to state hot lines are no substitute for documentable
reporting to the authorities. This is especially true in this case,
as the hotlines were called without disclosing the names of the perps
but simply to inquire if the reports would be taken - which they were
not."
This is an especially important point to those of us who want this
story told - New Tribes Mission did not act legally or responsibly in
light of many, many complaints, and even hid the issue for many years,
to the extent of destroying documents and offering the pedophiles
legal support. All this is clear in the 3rd party report GRACE
released last week.
story told - New Tribes Mission did not act legally or responsibly in
light of many, many complaints, and even hid the issue for many years,
to the extent of destroying documents and offering the pedophiles
legal support. All this is clear in the 3rd party report GRACE
released last week.
Posted by: joie at September 2, 2010
The fact that some of these abusers are still employed by New Tribes Mission today is not only inexcusable, it is criminal. They are lucky they haven't been sued for millions of dollars yet. Makes me ill!
Posted by: mk at September 2, 2010
Excellent point joie: "we were told these weren't prosecutable." If this is verbatim, and I'm capturing the level of enthusiasm properly, I've seen people be more dogged in getting their health costs covered by their insurance or in pursuing a rebate from Best Buy than in reporting a gross criminal offense which would severely hamstring your effectiveness achieving at your stated goal as a Mission
Posted by: jdg at September 2, 2010
This was not just in the 80s and because of the coverup, which is documented, it has deeply affected all of us that were in Senegal
Posted by: Denise Koss at September 2, 2010
While it is, um...generous of NTM to admit that the horrible physical, sexual, emotional and spiritual abuses were "not handled properly" when the many reports were first brought to them, their spokesperson makes no mention of New Tribes Mission's deceptive cover-up that lasted over 20 years, their deliberate destroying of documents to try to avoid the abuse being exposed, and the fact that many of the perpetrators named in the 3rd party report are still employees of New Tribes Mission to this day. This is unacceptable behavior for any organization, religious or otherwise!
Posted by: verily at September 2, 2010
@Disgusted, your lack of understanding of abuse, its effect on an individual, and even of the facts themselves in this case is stunning. If you read GRACE's report, you'll see attempts were made by the victims and families to report this to the mission in the 1990s, and again later.
If this organization repeatedly ignores the abuse going on right under its nose, few strategies are left to prevent New Tribes from allowing more kids to be abused in the future. Making the story public is one of them. Silence on the victims' part--on the part of all of us--will only create new victims, while speaking out might actually save lives.
I would choose my words, and my opinions, more carefully if I were you.
Posted by: intruthandlove at September 2, 2010
Scott Moreau, I wish your statements were accurate. I have been an advocate for survivors of missionary boarding schools for 20 years. I have not heard of one boarding school that has not had a culture of child abuse similar to the Fanda school. You do not hear the stories because survivors of these schools are reluctant to tell their stories. As well, the mission agencies whose policies sent their children to boarding schools refuse to initiate independent investigations of each of their boarding schools, thus inviting the alumni to come forward to speak of their abuses. The investigation of Fanda School
Posted by: mchristman at September 2, 2010
As horrible as this abuse is, the GRACE report was not only inaccuate on many counts, but they spread slander about innocent people all over the web. They should be sued! Many of the people that were alleged offenders had no idea of any complants against them and were never contacted by GRACE to hear their side of the story. That is not a 'Godly Response' to anything!!! I am so upset for the many hurt by this report. As sorry as I am for the abuse victims, the gross inaccuacy of this report was appalling to someone who knows everyone mentioned and who lived at Fanda during this time. If you all want the truth to be told, do a proper investigation next time and stop twisting the truth to make things look worse then they were. And if you end up with your hands out for money, your motives are loud and clear!
Posted by: Where's the TRUTH? at September 2, 2010
@Where's the TRUTH?
How amusing that you admit that the abuse happened and then accuse GRACE of slander in the same sentence. First of all, they cannot be sued for printing documents that were given to them by New Tribes Mission - perhaps you should want to sue NTM instead for not checking their facts before they gave the documents to the 3rd party investigator they hired? Your comment speaks of a gut-reaction defense of people you know and care about, and I feel for you. It's a terrible situation for so many. However, GRACE can at least back up the things they say in their report with documentation and you cannot. So you are technically slandering GRACE.
Posted by: verily at September 2, 2010
Wow, that Scott Moreau seems like a nice chap, doesn't he? A huge splash, but not common. That's his reaction to this story of abuse in a missionary school and such deceit in the extensive burial of the facts for so long? Then again, it's probably in his best interest to stay out of such things, getting people into missions bringing in his paycheck and all.
That said, I am appalled by the horrific nature of this report. There are no words. I find it commendable that no victim has requested money, even though it seems the report left it open for it, with their 'arbitration' recommendations. Most of all, I find it immensely sad that the Christian world still falls so far behind the secular in dealing with abuse within its organizations. What a slap in the face of Jesus.
Posted by: haha at September 2, 2010
@ Where's the Truth
I too lived there and I too know the people mentioned and I'm not as shocked as you seem to be. I was saddened at some of the names because I know them as good people. But they did do what they have been accused of doing and just like anyone else they have to face the consequences.
Notice that GRACE didn't recommend action against everyone accused. This is because they weren't able to substantiate all of the accusations. The ones they recommended action against were substantiated.
Posted by: huh... at September 2, 2010
I am shocked by Wheaton
Posted by: Ann Beardslee at September 2, 2010
To report or not to report:
I heard about this one guy in NTM that was reported to the local authorities for looking down on NTM, disobeying NTM, and not respecting NTM! Supposedly they ignored the guy’s offer to resolve the matter until it went to court. Then suddenly they corrected the matter and gave him a cash settlement! Now if NTM reports people for looking down on them, disobeying them, and not respecting them why wouldn’t they report child abuse????? I’d like to see NTM comment on this. Thank you!!
Posted by: gigi at September 2, 2010
From Page 66 of 67 on GRACE's official report
"GRACE is also grateful to the current leadership of New Tribes Mission for
seeking an independent assessment of abuse at the Fanda boarding school. GRACE
took this assignment only on the condition that we would be completely
independent, and that our report and recommendations would be issued
simultaneously to the MKs and NTM. In accepting these conditions, NTM has
exposed itself to enormous vulnerability. As difficult as that decision was, the
decisions before NTM are no less difficult, with much more at stake."
seeking an independent assessment of abuse at the Fanda boarding school. GRACE
took this assignment only on the condition that we would be completely
independent, and that our report and recommendations would be issued
simultaneously to the MKs and NTM. In accepting these conditions, NTM has
exposed itself to enormous vulnerability. As difficult as that decision was, the
decisions before NTM are no less difficult, with much more at stake."
NTM approached GRACE to do this investigation. The only way most of you are able to comment on this matter is by way of the NTM itself. Think about it.
Posted by: an opinion at September 2, 2010
My heart aches for our many former co-workers in NTM who have been accused and face the recommendations set forth in the final report by GRACE. But that ache joins the 25 years of complete sorrow we have endured dealing with the guilt of having put our children in the New Tribes Missionary School in Senegal, believing we were following God's will for our lives and for the lives of our children. Throughout the NTM training and over and over again during our eighteen years with the Mission Senegal
Posted by: formerly at September 2, 2010
"[GRACE] recommends that the organization terminate membership for those still affiliated with New Tribes."
This statement is not entirely accurate. For many of these people, GRACE only recommends that "active membership" be terminated. Presumably, those so terminated will retain some formal affiliation with NTM, since 10% of the donations made to their ministry will be deducted for the MK Fund. See page 80 of the GRACE report for an example.
Posted by: Gene Long at September 2, 2010
Gigi, NTM would nto have not have hired GRACE if it werent for preasure from Fanda MK's.
Posted by: MK at September 2, 2010
Christianity Today Liveblog
Previewing your Comment
Scott Moreau is correct that when the reality of abuse in MK schools and communities has come out in the past, it has made "a huge splash". I hope this time it has initiated a tsunami that won't be contained until the abuse that has occurred in many MK schools and communities has been investigated and the mission culture changes.
Previewing your Comment
Scott Moreau is correct that when the reality of abuse in MK schools and communities has come out in the past, it has made "a huge splash". I hope this time it has initiated a tsunami that won't be contained until the abuse that has occurred in many MK schools and communities has been investigated and the mission culture changes.
MK's from many denominations, mission agencies and schools have reported being abused to MkSafetynet (www.mksafetynet.net). Most of those MK's also want their reports of abuse to be professionally investigated by an organization like GRACE, and to know that their perpetrators will no longer have access to children.
Two gifted, courageous women, Kari and Bonnie, have an understanding of social networking which was key in making the investigation into Fanda and New Tribes Mission a reality. They are showing us how to make this more than just a "huge splash", after which missions continue to treat abuse like sin, rather than crime, as it actually is. Scott Moreau, you will not have to wait for 10 years before the next story breaks.
Beverly Shellrude Thompson
MKSafetyNet
MKSafetyNet
Posted by: Beverly Shellrude Thompson at September 2, 2010
@ haha who "knows two MKs who attend Wheaton
Please ask them to considder telling there story at the http://fandaeagles.com/ website in the forums section, or to contact the creators of the sight at eagles@peregrinebynature.com.
Please ask them to considder telling there story at the http://fandaeagles.com/ website in the forums section, or to contact the creators of the sight at eagles@peregrinebynature.com.
Posted by: Fanda MK at September 2, 2010
I am glad this report and this news is getting out. My hope is that through the work of the Fanda Eagles many children in Christian organisations around the world will be protected from such atrocities.
Posted by: Benjamin Quilliam at September 3, 2010
New Tribes Mission posted this on their website: "Individuals in our organization abused children. People in leadership at the time were culpable through inadequate screening and training, creating an atmosphere of legalism and autocracy, and not addressing the abuse properly. This means that we as an organization are responsible and have sinned against these students."
I agree that the organization is responsible. NTM was responsible when the abuse occurred, it was responsible when it was covered up and it was responsible when leaders continued to pressure missionaries around the world to put their children in the boarding schools, knowing full well that these were not the safe havens they pretended them to be. NTM was responsible to report criminal behavior to local authorities, something it has never done. There is certainly a lot of responsibility on NTM. However, NTM's statement goes both too far and not far enough...
I would question the competence of any Christian leader who would say that an organization has sinned. Organizations can do a lot: as "juristic entities," organizations can enter into contracts, own real estate, hire people and even commit crimes. But, they cannot sin. Sin, as salvation, is a personal issue. Organizations, by their very nature, cannot pray, cannot repent, cannot get saved, cannot walk with the Lord, cannot be filled with the Spirit and cannot sin. Does the statement on their website really reflect the theology of NTM leadership? Missionaries? What are they teaching tribal people around the world?
I would also question the honesty of omitting to mention, specifically and clearly, that the sins and crimes were covered up. This is no time for euphemisms. Trying to hide a cover up under the general heading of "inadequate training" and "not addressing the abuse properly" is disingenuous and shameful. A moment's reflection would have told any unbiased human being that a dorm mother who forced children to eat their own vomit should have been fired, never mind a dorm father who molested young girls in his care. How much training would that take?
Posted by: Gene Long at September 3, 2010
In my previous post, I made a mistake. The MK Safety Net sent questionnaires to about 25 Mission agencies (not 40) asking them to respond to questions about their polices to prevent abuse and deal with justice with those adults who were abused when MKs in boarding schools. About 1/3 of them responded. Scott Moreau's statement that the abuse is "not common" should be changed to state that the investigation of abuse of MKs by a Mission agencies is "not common". At this time I only know of 4 Mission agencies who have had independent investigations. I think every Mission agency that wants the truth needs to have an independent investigation. I wish every person who chooses to have children and also be a missionary could be warned of the probability of their children being abuse if they send them to a Mission boarding school, especially at a young age. I was a missionary parent 55 years ago and "if I had only known" but I didn't. I only know that the pain of my not knowing about Mamou and the abuse of the Alliance
Posted by: Ann Beardslee at September 3, 2010
Question have you quoted Scott Moreau correctly did he actually say "it makes a huge splash." Is that the whole of his comments. If so it is no wonder that missions and churches think that abusing children is of little importance. I communicates that this is just being done to get attention. I was abused at Mamou Guinea
Hopefully Wheaton and other Christian Colleges
Posted by: Shary Hauber at September 3, 2010
While I attended an MK school in the 90s, there was a small incident (at least that was what we were told) that was dealt with immediately in which the RA who was accused of inappropriate contact was sent back to the States in short order. While I do not know exactly what happened (nor should I), this particular MK school appeared to do a good job in handling issues of abuse.
However, I have heard many stories of other MK boarding schools where a large percentage of students ended up as drug addicts, alcoholics, or in jail. From the stories I was told, very few (if any) survived board school unscathed and their lives were ruined. Thank you CT
Posted by: j at September 3, 2010
