To whom this may concern,

Firstly, I was not a personal friend of Angela, in fact I never even met her. When I first heard what happened, however, I felt as though I had been punched in the stomach. I honestly couldn’t breathe and felt physically sick. Why. … No. … How could someone, anyone, do a thing like this?

My name is Heidi Hartingdon. I was born in India but I’ve grown up in Australia—where I live now. Though I have been overseas I’ve spent most of my life here.

I just turned 19 at the end of last year. After finishing my 12th grade with high distinction I became involved in working with children, though I have none of my own. When I was 11, my mum and dad started visiting inmates in New South Wales correctional facilities, singing, holding chapel services and generally bringing some outside contact to those who through drugs, alcohol, mistake, or pure perversion have found themselves behind bars.

My parents and all of my teachers loved me and although my nine brothers, sisters and I must have been a handful at times, I think they did a wonderful job in raising us with respect for ourselves, each other, and the rest of the community. It is only now that I work with children aged 0–11 that I can truly appreciate the stamina and inspiration of my caregivers. Some of them were with us 24/7 and still they were the same smiling, cheerful, loving, caring, people day in and day out, rain or shine, sickness or health.

NEVER did I hear of people being abused sexually or otherwise in The Family. The first I did hear of this came when we were taken away by government officials (in 1992) for these same reasons. Only then did I first experience emotional and psychological abuse as well as just plain cruelty, from those who were “protecting me from my parents” and those I loved. From my experience the Family has a very high standard for parenting and anything that has fallen short of that has been set straight with great care and efficiency.

I know people who had lived with Ricky just before he left the Family at which time he said that his upbringing left nothing to be desired and that he probably had it the best out of all the kids raised in the Family. I think that says it all.

Mama, if you’re reading this we love you, and beyond a shadow of a doubt I think you are the coolest.

To those of you who will no doubt pick this apart I have one thing to say to you. If this work be of men it will come to naught without your help, but if it be of God you cannot overthrow it lest haply you be found to fight against God. We’ll all be standing before Him one of these days and I for one don’t want to add to my long list of sins and shortcomings.

Heidi Hartingdon is a second generation member of the Family International, currently residing in Australia.