lying. These meetings not only compounded the emotional distress of the victims but also
undermined the integrity of the investigation process. Many victims felt intimidated and coerced,
which led to further trauma and a sense of injustice. As a result, the credibility of the testimonies
collected during these meetings was compromised. This practice reflects a deeply flawed approach to handling allegations of abuse, prioritizing the organization's reputation over the well-being of the victims. The use of "Matthew 18 meetings" not only silenced victims but also perpetuated a culture of fear and intimidation. Victims were made to feel as though their experiences were invalid, and the burden of proof was unfairly placed on them.
F. Commitment #6: I commit to share with the leadership if my friend "repeatedly" stumbles in
immorality. I will first tell my friend before sharing with a leader to convince him to go with me.
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears
you, you have gained your brother. If he will not hear, take with you one or two more"If he
refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. (Mt. 18:15-17)
IS #8's experience is deeply distressing. At 18, she advised she was sexually assaulted by ASM #
5. When she reported the assault to two staff members, she was told not to talk about it and was
forced to leave the prayer room group. She was made to attend a Matthew 18 meeting with the
offender and was told to use the word "violate" instead of "sexual abuse." IS #8 said, "She went
to people she thought she could trust, only to be met with dismissal and further harm."' - FIREFLY Report
