(From Nadia Paone, 30, second-generation member of the Family International)

My first reaction to realizing that the old abuse issue was what would come out of the sad and tragic event of last week was “God, not again.” I felt tired. We’ve been through this issue from every angle and our detractors and accusers have always ended up with egg on their faces when the results of all their “reports of rampant abuse in the Family” and stirring up authorities to take action, turn up test result after test result, time and time again, proving that each of these supposed “abused children” is actually healthy, loved, abuse-free, well adjusted and educated. And yet, because child abuse is something that turns any feeling human being’s stomach, it’s juicy and something that will get attention.

So, here we go again and yes, I’m tired. Tired and wishing we could all just get on with our lives and stop trying to find someone to blame, just for the heck of it. I understand that not everybody will look back and be crazy about their upbringing, their lot in life, their parents, even their own choices, as they grow older. But isn’t that part of maturity and growing up – learning to take the responsibility for your future and not constantly looking for someone to blame for why your life is the way it is right now?

To be honest, I’m not real worried. It’s a nuisance and embarrassing to have your name dragged through the mud while you wait for the truth to emerge, but I know the truth will emerge and I have full faith we will again be vindicated since from “this side of the fence” we know “what’s really going on in the Family” as far as the care of our children. – And no, there’s no doubt in my mind that any abuse of our little ones is going on or would be allowed or tolerated in the Family. Let’s just hope that our eventual vindication doesn’t come at the price of my younger brother and sister, my nieces and nephews and all their friends being taken from their homes for the inspection that will prove they’re fine and all the “hot air” and bluster of our beloved detractors was just that.

If what our detractors really want is monetary compensation, which is my gut feeling, maybe I’m just cynical after having worked in a law firm for half a decade, but this feels too much like one of those frivolous claims made by those wanting to get rich the easy way. So is your hope to get what little money I have or make? - I’ve never done anything wrong to you, yet that’s what you’re asking for if you expect compensation for whatever unproven or alleged abuses you say you’ve suffered during your time in The Family. The Family is not one of those empires like some churches and organizations I’ve heard of where the leaders or pastors get huge salaries or compensation from their wealthy parishioners, supporters and followers. No, there are no “deep pockets” here, no insurance, and whatever “the Family” does have is from my tithe and that of other volunteers and full-time missionaries, which only gets turned around and used to in some way benefit me and other missionaries who devote our lives to fulltime service for others. So you want to try and take that too?

Anyway, when all is said and done, I can only speak from my own experience and speak out about my life and what I know to be true. We have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. So bring it on. Ask away. If anyone has questions, whether media or the general public, as to who we are and what we “really” do, come and see. Whatever will set you at ease and assure you that we are who we say we are.

I didn’t know Ricky. I have a lot of thoughts and theories about why he did what he did, but in the end, I don’t know him and I guess now I never will.
But I hope he finds peace in the afterlife and will make better decisions now that he can see things from a different perspective.

And Angela, I only met you briefly, but I hope to get to know you better one day on the Other Side. All I’ve heard about you by those who knew you well have been wonderful things and of how you’ve brightened the lives of many.
May you rest in peace until then.

Nadia Paone is a second-generation member of The Family International