Interjecting a moment here...
First, Bill has a laudable objective, that of changing Society policy. His methods are bullish (as in china shop). He has taken the most expedient path and has primarily focussed on those Lambs who will roar and can advance his media and legal objectives. Those lambs that must remain silent or who just cannot roar at this time are pushed aside. This same bullish path has led him to make some regrettable statements that have hurt the Silent Lambs cause but most importantly has hurt individual lambs as a result.
Does this make him evil? No. He is a simple man from Kentucky, not a Wall Street spin-doctor. He has done remarkably well despite his lack of training as an activist. But he needs to be made aware that he has hurt some lambs in the process. That knowledge will hopefully cause him to think before making further poorly worded or ill-prepared press releases.
To pick him apart also falls into the category of poor judgement or poorly thought out speech. Very little is accomplished by ripping apart the man. Correcting him or pointing out errors however is important, It is the constant nattering at such errors is inappropriate IMO.
That said, I think Bill did err in both his press release and newsletter. Please view this as it is intended as constructive advice not as trying to attack Bill.
The information Bill mentioned in his newsletter regarding the Canadian show was not to be released at this point in time.
The 'Dateline fiasco' was not limited to JWD and one would have thought Bill would have learned from that lesson. The producers have asked all involved that not even the name of the show be publicized at this point or at least until a firm airdate has been made. I am very disappointed that the producers requests were ignored, not exactly conducive to future relations.
Bill is doing some good work, but it should be clear to survivors of abuse that unless they are willing to speak up and be heard, they do not fall into Bills primary agenda.
It is my NSH opinion, that survivors do not need to feel added pressure for them to speak up, but that such roaring should only be done when the survivor is ready and if it is conducive to their own well being. Survivors of abuse usually have to cope with enough wrongly placed feelings of guilt without guilt-trips being put on them for not speaking up.
Those lambs who are just finding their voice or who cannot speak up or chose not to, are better to find outside sources of support such as are available through RAINN and not through a group whos primary goal is trying to change a Cult/religion/sects policies. (See info on RAINN below)
I wish Bill all success in his objective to change the policy of the Borg. I hope it works, I really do. It may just protect potential future victims if he succeeds and the publicity being made thusfar has warned not just a few people of the potential danger within the 'spiritual paradise'. For that a deserved well done to Bill is in order.
RAPE, ABUSE, & INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK
1-800-HOPE RAINN operates the nation's only toll-free hotline for survivors of sexual assault. The hotline is operated 24 hours a day, and routes each call instantaneously to the rape crisis center nearest the caller by reading the area code and prefix of the caller's telephone number. All centers on the network provide counselling and support, and each call is confidential. RAINN's office is located at 252 Tenth Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Business Phone: (202) 544-1034. FAX: (202) 544-1401 Other numbers of interest: NATIONAL VICTIM CENTER703-276-2880 NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER202-328-5160 WOMEN'S BUREAU1-800-827-5335
Many of the state agencies have counselling services, provide legal referrals and advocacy, operate community education programs and offer support groups. For more information, contact RAINN's office or their national hotline.
