Question:
Thank you for putting this here so we could read it. I hope it did not cause you too much pain. How are you holding up Silverleaf? Warm thoughts and wishes coming your way Ruth
i hope it has not cused her pain either but it has helped at least one other survivor – so some good has already come from it noen —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–
Response:
Hi Silverleafs
Thank you for putting this here so we could read it. I hope it did not cause you too much pain. How are you holding up Silverleaf? it was hard to read the words again, but so much of this is about me having a voice, so saying even those painful words is a good thing,
Yes I can see how that would be. To be able to say what happened after so long of being unable to tell. i think. i’m holding up fairly well,
Good this am really glad to hear. You have been through so much. a little bemused at the various threads my postings have started…
By talking out and having a strong voice your story can encourage other people to broach their pain and take it out and tell it to someone. deeply touched at how many people think highly of me..
Add me in there <smile .i do try to be a gentle person but i haven’t really thought of myself as memorable
You are and it feels good to know i am. i’m holding up well,
You have every right to feel proud of how you have handled this and how you are coping with it. It takes a lot of hard work to come as far as you have i think, but part of that is admitting to feeling like shit, and frankly, i’ve been doing that a lot 
This is understandable but tonight was bear’s work christmas party, and i went, and danced
Dancing is enjoyable. I like the slow dances where my hubby can give me a hug as we are going around the floor. i am going to a party in a couple of weeks so I’ll be up there with the rest. (for the first time since my stroke)
How are things in relation to the stroke now? and had a very good time. sat with bear on the top stair and told him about how hard it is sometimes to fight to be positive and accomplish things and recover (great goddess, i am so TIRED of having things to recover from) and he held me and told me he’s proud of me,
I am glad he is there for you, and that he understands. and that he isn’t sure he could do as much as i have.
I am not sure I could either. In fact I still have not confronted my abuser and don’t think I will ever have the courage to do it in the future. he’s snoring in bed now, i think i’ll go join him.
Quite right, snuggle up he probab;ly has the bed all toasty and warm by now but i do seem to have actually materialized in the newsgroup again. 
Great to see you back Take care Silverleafs Ruth – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – peace and other good things, silverleafs Warm thoughts and wishes coming your way Ruth hi folks, sorry it’s taken so long for me to get back to y’all, but i’m having a bit of a rough patch. an SAD light and therapy are pulling me through, so not to worry.the original article was on page one of the november 14th issue of the Globe and Mail, written by Jill Mahoney. all typos are mine. a word of warning, there is some graphic content. A dirty secret, a ruined life She was born last into a home that innocence had long forsaken. It was a place where evil masqueraded as love and sexual abuse was a family ritual. Every night after supper behind heavy curtains carefully chosen by her mother to conceal the horror inside, she and her four siblings were fondled, raped, and forced into group sex. Ane now, years later, the terror of her childhood threatens to wound her again. The woman, who can be identified only as Ms. J. and her oldest sister, known as Mr. R, are suing the Alberta government for several million dollars for alleged negligence for failing to protect them after receiving complaints about ther parents over one year. The government, which denies the claim, is trying to force Ms. J, who lives as a tormented recluse in the woods, to submit to questioning. Ms. R, intent on compensation to soothe their painful lives, persuaded Ms. J. to join this lawsuit but now fears the government actions could destroy her sister. In light of psychologists’ reports stating she is too frail to testify, their lawyer is attempting to have and advocate appointed to act on her behalf. "She is statnding on an emotional cliff, too afraid to jump off and too hurt to climb back down.. I am afraid this lawsuit will send her over the edge," one sister, Ms. E, writes. Ms. R. says simply "It would be the rape of her." By 1979, the year of Ms. J’s birthm horror had reigned for the better part of a decade. One of Ms. E’s most vivid memories, described in court documents filed in Edmonton and use to piece together this story, is of Ms. J, a little toddler, standing traumatized and bleeding from the vagina. Ms. J. was forced to watch regular "brainwashing" sessions, where her siblings would lie naked between their parents, who sexually, physically and emotionally tortured them for hours. At night, she screamed "Don’t" over and over in her sleep, arms rigid protecting her genitals. When Ms. E. became pregnant by her father at 14, she was given a home abortion with a broom handle. She overdosed on drugs, but death didn’t come. Finally, in 1982, the Social Services Department in their little Alberta town was alerted. A caseworker was told highlights, including that the father was fondling his daugheters’ breasts, but the case worker left it at that, according to court documents. Months later, another complaint came. The parents shifted blame to Ms. R, the oldest daughter, saying she was in a satanic clut and raped her sisters with chicken feet. A social worker believed it. The next year, a church minister phoned the department to see why the youngsters hadn’t been rescued, and was told to mind his own business. The year after that first report to Social Servies, the RCMP began an investigation that resulted in multiple sex charges against the parents. The father was sent to jail for 12 years, the mother got two. Ms. J, who was four when her parents were arrested, was sent to live with relatives. At nine, she was told the truth about her momand dad, and that they weren’t ever coming back for her. She had nightmares, began to develop an ulcer and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. She turned to alcohol, running away at 16. She lived with a sister for a while before turning to the streets. She attempted suicide. Now 12, Ms. J. lives alone, hides really, in a pest-infested shack in the woods because, her sisters say, she feels at least no one can control her there. She exists in extreme poverty, foraging for food and firewood and sleeps on the floor because her mattress is full of fleas. Although she received more that $40,000 from an Alberta government victims-compensation program, it sists untouched in a bank account because she fears there are strings attached. She has found her sisters again, but cannot bear talking about their past even with the sister who is involved in the current lawsuit. The two other sisters were involved in a previous action, while their brother has stayed awy from litigation. Any mention, no matter how gentle, of the abuse that stole her childhood leaves Ms. J. screaming and crying hysterically. *** The parents – the father is a former high-school teacher who can be identified only as Mr. W and was a stepfather to her oldest two siblings – are out of jail now. They are being sued, too, but haven’t filed statements of defence, although this lawsuit, which has not been publicly revealed before, was registered 18 months ago. Allegations about the involvement of Social Services have not been proven. In 1982, Ms. R, who was 18, reported the abuse in her family to a teacher who called Social Services. She spoke with a casewroker, who wrote in his May 28 report: ""She has mentioned on occasion father (Mr.W) had fondled her breasts as a form of greeting and affection. This seems to be more or less accepted in the fmaily…" Despite this, the caseworker did not open a file or follow up, according to an adult family friend who accompanied Ms. R to the meeting. A note written later by another social worker says the complaint was not investigated because Ms. R didn’t want that. Four months later, the biological father of Ms, R notified Social Services of the abuse. A caseworker contacted the parents who said Ms R was "psychopathic" and had "demonic power" over her siblings and raped her sisters with chichen feet, knife handles, and rolled-up money, according to the social worker’s notes. The tale was accepted. The caseworker believed "it would be counter-therapeutic for these children and this family to undergo police investigation or investigation at this time," according to a case summary written by his colleague and filed in cours by the women’s lawyer, Robert Lee. The summary further notes the "it appears that this family has coalesed and solidified by separating itself from the abusive member (supposed)". a reference to Ms. R. In November 1982,
… read more »
Response:
hi folks, sorry it’s taken so long for me to get back to y’all, but i’m having a bit of a rough patch. an SAD light and therapy are pulling me through, so not to worry.the original article was on page one of the november 14th issue of the Globe and Mail, written by Jill Mahoney. all typos are mine. a word of warning, there is some graphic content. A dirty secret, a ruined life She was born last into a home that innocence had long forsaken. It was a place where evil masqueraded as love and sexual abuse was a family ritual. Every night after supper behind heavy curtains carefully chosen by her mother to conceal the horror inside, she and her four siblings were fondled, raped, and forced into group sex. Ane now, years later, the terror of her childhood threatens to wound her again. The woman, who can be identified only as Ms. J. and her oldest sister, known as Mr. R, are suing the Alberta government for several million dollars for alleged negligence for failing to protect them after receiving complaints about ther parents over one year. The government, which denies the claim, is trying to force Ms. J, who lives as a tormented recluse in the woods, to submit to questioning. Ms. R, intent on compensation to soothe their painful lives, persuaded Ms. J. to join this lawsuit but now fears the government actions could destroy her sister. In light of psychologists’ reports stating she is too frail to testify, their lawyer is attempting to have and advocate appointed to act on her behalf. "She is statnding on an emotional cliff, too afraid to jump off and too hurt to climb back down.. I am afraid this lawsuit will send her over the edge," one sister, Ms. E, writes. Ms. R. says simply "It would be the rape of her." By 1979, the year of Ms. J’s birthm horror had reigned for the better part of a decade. One of Ms. E’s most vivid memories, described in court documents filed in Edmonton and use to piece together this story, is of Ms. J, a little toddler, standing traumatized and bleeding from the vagina. Ms. J. was forced to watch regular "brainwashing" sessions, where her siblings would lie naked between their parents, who sexually, physically and emotionally tortured them for hours. At night, she screamed "Don’t" over and over in her sleep, arms rigid protecting her genitals. When Ms. E. became pregnant by her father at 14, she was given a home abortion with a broom handle. She overdosed on drugs, but death didn’t come. Finally, in 1982, the Social Services Department in their little Alberta town was alerted. A caseworker was told highlights, including that the father was fondling his daugheters’ breasts, but the case worker left it at that, according to court documents. Months later, another complaint came. The parents shifted blame to Ms. R, the oldest daughter, saying she was in a satanic clut and raped her sisters with chicken feet. A social worker believed it. The next year, a church minister phoned the department to see why the youngsters hadn’t been rescued, and was told to mind his own business. The year after that first report to Social Servies, the RCMP began an investigation that resulted in multiple sex charges against the parents. The father was sent to jail for 12 years, the mother got two. Ms. J, who was four when her parents were arrested, was sent to live with relatives. At nine, she was told the truth about her momand dad, and that they weren’t ever coming back for her. She had nightmares, began to develop an ulcer and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. She turned to alcohol, running away at 16. She lived with a sister for a while before turning to the streets. She attempted suicide. Now 12, Ms. J. lives alone, hides really, in a pest-infested shack in the woods because, her sisters say, she feels at least no one can control her there. She exists in extreme poverty, foraging for food and firewood and sleeps on the floor because her mattress is full of fleas. Although she received more that $40,000 from an Alberta government victims-compensation program, it sists untouched in a bank account because she fears there are strings attached. She has found her sisters again, but cannot bear talking about their past even with the sister who is involved in the current lawsuit. The two other sisters were involved in a previous action, while their brother has stayed awy from litigation. Any mention, no matter how gentle, of the abuse that stole her childhood leaves Ms. J. screaming and crying hysterically. *** The parents – the father is a former high-school teacher who can be identified only as Mr. W and was a stepfather to her oldest two siblings – are out of jail now. They are being sued, too, but haven’t filed statements of defence, although this lawsuit, which has not been publicly revealed before, was registered 18 months ago. Allegations about the involvement of Social Services have not been proven. In 1982, Ms. R, who was 18, reported the abuse in her family to a teacher who called Social Services. She spoke with a casewroker, who wrote in his May 28 report: ""She has mentioned on occasion father (Mr.W) had fondled her breasts as a form of greeting and affection. This seems to be more or less accepted in the fmaily…" Despite this, the caseworker did not open a file or follow up, according to an adult family friend who accompanied Ms. R to the meeting. A note written later by another social worker says the complaint was not investigated because Ms. R didn’t want that. Four months later, the biological father of Ms, R notified Social Services of the abuse. A caseworker contacted the parents who said Ms R was "psychopathic" and had "demonic power" over her siblings and raped her sisters with chichen feet, knife handles, and rolled-up money, according to the social worker’s notes. The tale was accepted. The caseworker believed "it would be counter-therapeutic for these children and this family to undergo police investigation or investigation at this time," according to a case summary written by his colleague and filed in cours by the women’s lawyer, Robert Lee. The summary further notes the "it appears that this family has coalesed and solidified by separating itself from the abusive member (supposed)". a reference to Ms. R. In November 1982, the file was closed. The government, in its statement of defense, notes a series of meetings with the parents and children after this complaint. It also stresses that workers requested the children get examinations because they may have been exposed to veneral diseases in the chicken-feet rapes. The parents refused to go to the doctor, and SOcial Services did not apprehend the children, even though its policy manual required workers to take minors for treatment when parents would not. The following year, Ms. R told a church minister about the abuse. He twice phoned Social Services offices to ask why the allegations had not been taken seriously – the other children were still living in the home – and was told to "mind my own business" and "to keep my noese out of the matter," he writes in a statement filed with the lawsuit. The turning point came when the children’s abusive father told police in another region the story about Ms. R raping her siblings. They didn’t buy it and began investigating him. Six monthe later, in January, 1984, Mr. W and his wife, Ms. B, were arrested on charges including sexual assault, attempted buggery, intercourse with a minor and gross indecency. Despite the earlier contact with Social Servieces, the Alberta governmetn says it first realized the youngsters were in danger the day their parents were arrested. As for its response to complaints before the arrests, the government says it took "All proper steps reasonably required in the circumstances and in accordance with the standard parctices of the day." It maintains investigations were stymied by factors out of caseworkers’ control, including the "vague nature" of the reports and the absence of any corroborating facts. It cites the the paretns’ and children’s denials of abuse and cross allegations that Ms. R was the abuser and says despite "careful, proper and timely" investigations, efforts were "thwarted" by the parents and children, who "lied" to caseworders. The government adds that if it was begligent, the harm done to the children in the 20-month period was miniscule "compared with the injury and loss" they experienced before. if this article makes you mad, please feel free to write to the Globe about it. peace, silverleafs
Response:
Thank you for putting this here so we could read it. I hope it did not cause you too much pain. How are you holding up Silverleaf?
it was hard to read the words again, but so much of this is about me having a voice, so saying even those painful words is a good thing, i think. i’m holding up fairly well, a little bemused at the various threads my postings have started…deeply touched at how many people think highly of me…i do try to be a gentle person but i haven’t really thought of myself as memorable and it feels good to know i am. i’m holding up well, i think, but part of that is admitting to feeling like shit, and frankly, i’ve been doing that a lot but tonight was bear’s work christmas party, and i went, and danced (for the first time since my stroke) and had a very good time. sat with bear on the top stair and told him about how hard it is sometimes to fight to be positive and accomplish things and recover (great goddess, i am so TIRED of having things to recover from) and he held me and told me he’s proud of me, and that he isn’t sure he could do as much as i have. he’s snoring in bed now, i think i’ll go join him. but i do seem to have actually materialized in the newsgroup again. peace and other good things, silverleafs – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Warm thoughts and wishes coming your way Ruth hi folks, sorry it’s taken so long for me to get back to y’all, but i’m having a bit of a rough patch. an SAD light and therapy are pulling me through, so not to worry.the original article was on page one of the november 14th issue of the Globe and Mail, written by Jill Mahoney. all typos are mine. a word of warning, there is some graphic content. A dirty secret, a ruined life She was born last into a home that innocence had long forsaken. It was a place where evil masqueraded as love and sexual abuse was a family ritual. Every night after supper behind heavy curtains carefully chosen by her mother to conceal the horror inside, she and her four siblings were fondled, raped, and forced into group sex. Ane now, years later, the terror of her childhood threatens to wound her again. The woman, who can be identified only as Ms. J. and her oldest sister, known as Mr. R, are suing the Alberta government for several million dollars for alleged negligence for failing to protect them after receiving complaints about ther parents over one year. The government, which denies the claim, is trying to force Ms. J, who lives as a tormented recluse in the woods, to submit to questioning. Ms. R, intent on compensation to soothe their painful lives, persuaded Ms. J. to join this lawsuit but now fears the government actions could destroy her sister. In light of psychologists’ reports stating she is too frail to testify, their lawyer is attempting to have and advocate appointed to act on her behalf. "She is statnding on an emotional cliff, too afraid to jump off and too hurt to climb back down.. I am afraid this lawsuit will send her over the edge," one sister, Ms. E, writes. Ms. R. says simply "It would be the rape of her." By 1979, the year of Ms. J’s birthm horror had reigned for the better part of a decade. One of Ms. E’s most vivid memories, described in court documents filed in Edmonton and use to piece together this story, is of Ms. J, a little toddler, standing traumatized and bleeding from the vagina. Ms. J. was forced to watch regular "brainwashing" sessions, where her siblings would lie naked between their parents, who sexually, physically and emotionally tortured them for hours. At night, she screamed "Don’t" over and over in her sleep, arms rigid protecting her genitals. When Ms. E. became pregnant by her father at 14, she was given a home abortion with a broom handle. She overdosed on drugs, but death didn’t come. Finally, in 1982, the Social Services Department in their little Alberta town was alerted. A caseworker was told highlights, including that the father was fondling his daugheters’ breasts, but the case worker left it at that, according to court documents. Months later, another complaint came. The parents shifted blame to Ms. R, the oldest daughter, saying she was in a satanic clut and raped her sisters with chicken feet. A social worker believed it. The next year, a church minister phoned the department to see why the youngsters hadn’t been rescued, and was told to mind his own business. The year after that first report to Social Servies, the RCMP began an investigation that resulted in multiple sex charges against the parents. The father was sent to jail for 12 years, the mother got two. Ms. J, who was four when her parents were arrested, was sent to live with relatives. At nine, she was told the truth about her momand dad, and that they weren’t ever coming back for her. She had nightmares, began to develop an ulcer and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. She turned to alcohol, running away at 16. She lived with a sister for a while before turning to the streets. She attempted suicide. Now 12, Ms. J. lives alone, hides really, in a pest-infested shack in the woods because, her sisters say, she feels at least no one can control her there. She exists in extreme poverty, foraging for food and firewood and sleeps on the floor because her mattress is full of fleas. Although she received more that $40,000 from an Alberta government
victims-compensation – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – program, it sists untouched in a bank account because she fears there are strings attached. She has found her sisters again, but cannot bear talking about their past even with the sister who is involved in the current lawsuit. The two other sisters were involved in a previous action, while their brother has stayed awy from litigation. Any mention, no matter how gentle, of the abuse that stole her childhood leaves Ms. J. screaming and crying hysterically. *** The parents – the father is a former high-school teacher who can be identified only as Mr. W and was a stepfather to her oldest two siblings – are out of jail now. They are being sued, too, but haven’t filed statements of defence, although this lawsuit, which has not been publicly revealed before, was registered 18 months ago. Allegations about the involvement of Social Services have not been proven. In 1982, Ms. R, who was 18, reported the abuse in her family to a teacher who called Social Services. She spoke with a casewroker, who wrote in his May 28 report: ""She has mentioned on occasion father (Mr.W) had fondled her breasts as a form of greeting and affection. This seems to be more or less accepted in the fmaily…" Despite this, the caseworker did not open a file or follow up, according to an adult family friend who accompanied Ms. R to the meeting. A note written later by another social worker says the complaint was not investigated because Ms. R didn’t want that. Four months later, the biological father of Ms, R notified Social Services of the abuse. A caseworker contacted the parents who said Ms R was "psychopathic" and had "demonic power" over her siblings and raped her sisters with chichen feet, knife handles, and rolled-up money, according to the social worker’s notes. The tale was accepted. The caseworker believed "it would be counter-therapeutic for these children and this family to undergo police investigation or investigation at this time," according to a case summary written by his colleague and filed in cours by the women’s lawyer, Robert Lee. The summary further notes the "it appears that this family has coalesed and solidified by separating itself from the abusive member (supposed)". a reference to Ms. R. In November 1982, the file was closed. The government, in its statement of defense, notes a series of meetings with the parents and children after this complaint. It also stresses that workers requested the children get examinations because they may have been exposed to veneral diseases in the chicken-feet rapes. The parents refused to go to the doctor, and SOcial Services did not apprehend the children, even though its policy manual required workers to take minors for treatment when parents would not. The following year, Ms. R told a church minister about the abuse. He twice phoned Social Services offices to ask why the allegations had not been taken seriously – the other children were still living in the home – and was told to "mind my own business" and "to keep my noese out of the matter," he writes in a statement filed with the lawsuit. The turning point came when the children’s abusive father told police in another region the story about Ms. R raping her siblings. They didn’t buy it and began investigating him. Six monthe later, in January, 1984, Mr. W and his wife, Ms. B, were arrested on charges including sexual assault, attempted buggery, intercourse with a minor and gross indecency. Despite the earlier contact with Social Servieces, the Alberta governmetn says it first realized the youngsters were in danger the day their parents were arrested. As for its response to complaints before the arrests, the government says it took "All proper steps reasonably required in the
… read more »
Response:
Thank you for putting this here so we could read it. I hope it did not cause you too much pain. How are you holding up Silverleaf? Warm thoughts and wishes coming your way Ruth
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi folks, sorry it’s taken so long for me to get back to y’all, but i’m having a bit of a rough patch. an SAD light and therapy are pulling me through, so not to worry.the original article was on page one of the november 14th issue of the Globe and Mail, written by Jill Mahoney. all typos are mine. a word of warning, there is some graphic content. A dirty secret, a ruined life She was born last into a home that innocence had long forsaken. It was a place where evil masqueraded as love and sexual abuse was a family ritual. Every night after supper behind heavy curtains carefully chosen by her mother to conceal the horror inside, she and her four siblings were fondled, raped, and forced into group sex. Ane now, years later, the terror of her childhood threatens to wound her again. The woman, who can be identified only as Ms. J. and her oldest sister, known as Mr. R, are suing the Alberta government for several million dollars for alleged negligence for failing to protect them after receiving complaints about ther parents over one year. The government, which denies the claim, is trying to force Ms. J, who lives as a tormented recluse in the woods, to submit to questioning. Ms. R, intent on compensation to soothe their painful lives, persuaded Ms. J. to join this lawsuit but now fears the government actions could destroy her sister. In light of psychologists’ reports stating she is too frail to testify, their lawyer is attempting to have and advocate appointed to act on her behalf. "She is statnding on an emotional cliff, too afraid to jump off and too hurt to climb back down.. I am afraid this lawsuit will send her over the edge," one sister, Ms. E, writes. Ms. R. says simply "It would be the rape of her." By 1979, the year of Ms. J’s birthm horror had reigned for the better part of a decade. One of Ms. E’s most vivid memories, described in court documents filed in Edmonton and use to piece together this story, is of Ms. J, a little toddler, standing traumatized and bleeding from the vagina. Ms. J. was forced to watch regular "brainwashing" sessions, where her siblings would lie naked between their parents, who sexually, physically and emotionally tortured them for hours. At night, she screamed "Don’t" over and over in her sleep, arms rigid protecting her genitals. When Ms. E. became pregnant by her father at 14, she was given a home abortion with a broom handle. She overdosed on drugs, but death didn’t come. Finally, in 1982, the Social Services Department in their little Alberta town was alerted. A caseworker was told highlights, including that the father was fondling his daugheters’ breasts, but the case worker left it at that, according to court documents. Months later, another complaint came. The parents shifted blame to Ms. R, the oldest daughter, saying she was in a satanic clut and raped her sisters with chicken feet. A social worker believed it. The next year, a church minister phoned the department to see why the youngsters hadn’t been rescued, and was told to mind his own business. The year after that first report to Social Servies, the RCMP began an investigation that resulted in multiple sex charges against the parents. The father was sent to jail for 12 years, the mother got two. Ms. J, who was four when her parents were arrested, was sent to live with relatives. At nine, she was told the truth about her momand dad, and that they weren’t ever coming back for her. She had nightmares, began to develop an ulcer and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. She turned to alcohol, running away at 16. She lived with a sister for a while before turning to the streets. She attempted suicide. Now 12, Ms. J. lives alone, hides really, in a pest-infested shack in the woods because, her sisters say, she feels at least no one can control her there. She exists in extreme poverty, foraging for food and firewood and sleeps on the floor because her mattress is full of fleas. Although she received more that $40,000 from an Alberta government victims-compensation program, it sists untouched in a bank account because she fears there are strings attached. She has found her sisters again, but cannot bear talking about their past even with the sister who is involved in the current lawsuit. The two other sisters were involved in a previous action, while their brother has stayed awy from litigation. Any mention, no matter how gentle, of the abuse that stole her childhood leaves Ms. J. screaming and crying hysterically. *** The parents – the father is a former high-school teacher who can be identified only as Mr. W and was a stepfather to her oldest two siblings – are out of jail now. They are being sued, too, but haven’t filed statements of defence, although this lawsuit, which has not been publicly revealed before, was registered 18 months ago. Allegations about the involvement of Social Services have not been proven. In 1982, Ms. R, who was 18, reported the abuse in her family to a teacher who called Social Services. She spoke with a casewroker, who wrote in his May 28 report: ""She has mentioned on occasion father (Mr.W) had fondled her breasts as a form of greeting and affection. This seems to be more or less accepted in the fmaily…" Despite this, the caseworker did not open a file or follow up, according to an adult family friend who accompanied Ms. R to the meeting. A note written later by another social worker says the complaint was not investigated because Ms. R didn’t want that. Four months later, the biological father of Ms, R notified Social Services of the abuse. A caseworker contacted the parents who said Ms R was "psychopathic" and had "demonic power" over her siblings and raped her sisters with chichen feet, knife handles, and rolled-up money, according to the social worker’s notes. The tale was accepted. The caseworker believed "it would be counter-therapeutic for these children and this family to undergo police investigation or investigation at this time," according to a case summary written by his colleague and filed in cours by the women’s lawyer, Robert Lee. The summary further notes the "it appears that this family has coalesed and solidified by separating itself from the abusive member (supposed)". a reference to Ms. R. In November 1982, the file was closed. The government, in its statement of defense, notes a series of meetings with the parents and children after this complaint. It also stresses that workers requested the children get examinations because they may have been exposed to veneral diseases in the chicken-feet rapes. The parents refused to go to the doctor, and SOcial Services did not apprehend the children, even though its policy manual required workers to take minors for treatment when parents would not. The following year, Ms. R told a church minister about the abuse. He twice phoned Social Services offices to ask why the allegations had not been taken seriously – the other children were still living in the home – and was told to "mind my own business" and "to keep my noese out of the matter," he writes in a statement filed with the lawsuit. The turning point came when the children’s abusive father told police in another region the story about Ms. R raping her siblings. They didn’t buy it and began investigating him. Six monthe later, in January, 1984, Mr. W and his wife, Ms. B, were arrested on charges including sexual assault, attempted buggery, intercourse with a minor and gross indecency. Despite the earlier contact with Social Servieces, the Alberta governmetn says it first realized the youngsters were in danger the day their parents were arrested. As for its response to complaints before the arrests, the government says it took "All proper steps reasonably required in the circumstances and in accordance with the standard parctices of the day." It maintains investigations were stymied by factors out of caseworkers’ control, including the "vague nature" of the reports and the absence of any corroborating facts. It cites the the paretns’ and children’s denials of abuse and cross allegations that Ms. R was the abuser and says despite "careful, proper and timely" investigations, efforts were "thwarted" by the parents and children, who "lied" to caseworders. The government adds that if it was begligent, the harm done to the children in the 20-month period was miniscule "compared with the injury and loss" they experienced before. if this article makes you mad, please feel free to write to the Globe about it. peace, silverleafs
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