By E.A.L, England
(Former member of the Family International)

There was abuse in the family, that has been established. It has also been apologized for and stringent measures put in place to stop it happening again.

For the last few months I have been visiting the Moving on website. At first I was upset by what was being said about The Family on it, but over time I dismissed it as just a few bitter, angry people. I started to really get wound up about the abuse I had suffered as a child, things I thought I had already dealt with. I started to think maybe they’re right, maybe The Family is evil.

Then the news about Ricky came, and the reactions on that site scared me. How could you hold those actions up as a good thing, make him a hero, say you wish you could do the same? These people are out to destroy The Family, and are proud of it.

I cannot sit by and let that happen. Yes, there was abuse in The Family. I experienced it. But since the Charter was introduced and the guidelines set down, I have not at any time experienced or seen any cases of mental, physical or sexual abuse within The Family. Nor have I heard of any. What I have seen and been involved with is children receiving superior educations, within a wonderful supportive extended family structure.

When I came forward with what had happened to me, I received apologies, not only from my parents and those involved, but also from Karen Zerby herself. Despite everything, most of my memories of childhood are happy, love filled ones. I was able to experience things that ‘normal’ children would never have the chance to. I am very thankful my parents chose to raise me within The Family and admire the strength it took.

My conclusion is while things happened that weren’t right, every effort has been made to apologize, and ensure they never happen again, and as it stands now The Family International is a wonderful place full of loving, joyful people who are trying to make the world a better place. I am currently raising my son outside The Family, and I sometimes regret that he won’t experience the warmth and love that growing up in the family affords.