Concord NH Rape Case Victim Goes Public
NH church at center of 1997 teen rape; police investigate whether leaders knew about assault “I was completely humiliated,” Anderson said, her voice quavering at the memory. “I hoped it was a nightmare I’d wake up from, and it wouldn’t be true anymore.” Concord Detective Chris DeAngelis learned of her case through a Facebook page titled “Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Cult Survivors.” Earlier post here
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Now Tina’s brother Dooly is getting involved
http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-pastor-rape-case-controversy-060310,0,22… [edit: this is the same link Greg posted above… didn’t see that]
I don’t think we know that Willis was not encouraged to turn himself in. But it’s odd that Phelps has not said so. Maybe, as Susan as mentioned, the nature of the investigation requires him to avoid that subject at present. (Yes, that’s “speculation,” I suppose, but I’m not claiming it’s true. I think a line has been crossed when we start asserting guesswork as fact and prejudging the case.)
I think this well said.
http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-pastor-rape-case-controversy-060310,0,22… [edit: this is the same link Greg posted above… didn’t see that]
[Chuck Phelps]So we still don’t have his comments on alot of the details of the “discipline” aspect of things, especially how Willis was handled. I think it makes sense to mostly avoid that in statements to the public, since church discipline is not their concern (the legal issues are). But that part is of great importance to believers. I’m tempted to try to get an interview, but here’s the thing: when an investigation is ongoing, what is said in interviews becomes evidence and I am not eager to get the site involved in that.
“As a ministerial professional I have consistently sought to protect the welfare of children in our in our churches by implementing and maintaining screening policies for personnel and all procedures recommended for best practices. This commitment has marked my ministry for nearly 30 years and continues to mark the ministry in which I serve in Indianapolis.
Thirteen years ago while in Concord, New Hampshire, a young lady and her mother contacted me and revealed that the young lady, then a minor, was with child because of an encounter with a married man. Because the man an adult, I sought legal counsel and carefully reported the situation both to the Concord, New Hampshire Police and to the New Hampshire Department of Children and Youth Services. I followed up with the police a second time and gave them more details of the allegations. I had a second contact with the DCYS as well. (I remain in possession of my contemporaneous notes regarding these calls.) Though the man and his family attended the church where I served, he was not a deacon or an officer in the assembly. The family of the accused had established a baby-sitting relationship with the minor.
In an effort to protect the young lady from further harm, she was carefully counseled to avoid any further contact with the man accused. All involved expected an arrest to occur quickly. At the request of her mother, several families within the congregation provided care during the day for the minor while her mother was at work.
The young lady was always under her mother’s guardianship. Her mother, with counsel, arranged for her out of state care traveled to Colorado with the young lady and returned to be present when the baby was born. The young lady returned and for a time lived in Concord, New Hampshire where the incident was reported. Her mother’s residence within the city of Concord was constant and continues so today. It does not appear that the police put forward a good faith effort to contact the young lady. They never contacted me regarding her whereabouts. Had they done so, I would have provided all information that I had at my disposal.
Pregnancies are public matters. Her mother being present, news of the young ladies pregnancy was shared in a church service in order for friends within the church to give assistance to this family during their time of need.
The police have recently arrested the man involved in the incident. As in the past, I am and will fully cooperate with the police investigation. For my part, cooperation has always included answering inquiries promptly, personally and transparently while providing any information that is necessary to conduct a complete and thorough investigation. “
I don’t think we know that Willis was not encouraged to turn himself in. But it’s odd that Phelps has not said so. Maybe, as Susan as mentioned, the nature of the investigation requires him to avoid that subject at present. (Yes, that’s “speculation,” I suppose, but I’m not claiming it’s true. I think a line has been crossed when we start asserting guesswork as fact and prejudging the case.)
[RevKarl]…our intention and his perception of our intention were totally opposite.
In the current situation, is it possible that EVERYBODY is telling the truth as they perceive it? Is it possible that Dr. Phelps did everything he said he did, with the purpose and intent he has ascribed, with the best and purest of Godly intentions, but that Tina’s perception of the situation was totally different?
Tell the truth: hasn’t that happened to you in your ministry? It *has* happened to me.
I think this well said.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Re: the TV report referenced here — It is horrible journalism at best and bordering on slander at worst.
Re: all the Friday morning quarterbacks here — Is what you are doing this morning when you pick up the phone going to withstand the scrutiny of a national TV investigation in 2023?
Re: all the Friday morning quarterbacks here — Many keystrokes have been expended on this story over very few facts and contradictory information. How will you respond if your allegations and second guessing, whatever they may be, are later disproven? (Prov. 18:13)
Re: all the pastors here — Is your church following cutting-edge legal and insurance advice regarding care for children so that any possible allegation can be handled with precision?
If not, perhaps getting things in order would be a better use of everyone’s time. If this is not a wake-up call, then there will never be one.
Unless you think like one deacon’s wife, who told me, in essence — “Let’s wait until something like that happens and then we will think about doing something.”
Re: all the Friday morning quarterbacks here — Is what you are doing this morning when you pick up the phone going to withstand the scrutiny of a national TV investigation in 2023?
Re: all the Friday morning quarterbacks here — Many keystrokes have been expended on this story over very few facts and contradictory information. How will you respond if your allegations and second guessing, whatever they may be, are later disproven? (Prov. 18:13)
Re: all the pastors here — Is your church following cutting-edge legal and insurance advice regarding care for children so that any possible allegation can be handled with precision?
If not, perhaps getting things in order would be a better use of everyone’s time. If this is not a wake-up call, then there will never be one.
Unless you think like one deacon’s wife, who told me, in essence — “Let’s wait until something like that happens and then we will think about doing something.”
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
[Greg Long] Matthew, I appreciate your suggestion, although I’m not sure Pastor Phelps can respond to multiple requests to explain the situation. He has had several opportunities to clarify things; some of what he’s said has been helpful, but (IMO) many unanswered questions remain.I understand. I think you would be surprised though…I answer scores and probably well over a hundred emails every week in the course of my job and I think many are in the same situation. I agree that many unanswered questions remain but what better way to get the answer than to contact the person directly involved? I have some unanswered letters/emails that I have sent to various people in ministry looking for answers, but surprisingly enough there are some that take the time to give an answer. I would still recommend direct contact as the first mode for those seeking the facts—if like you say he is too busy to answer then I suppose SI is a great place to investigate. Again, I believe that there are a few basic questions that many on this thread are asking that could be answered without taking up too much of his time.
Matthew Richards
Something else that I noticed in that statement is:
The fact that he calls it an “encounter with a married man” makes me wonder if perhaps she originally told him she was raped (which is why he contacted the police and DYFS), but then later it came out that the sex was consensual when the police got involved (this would explain why they didn’t pursue the ‘rape charge’ as vigorously as all have assumed they should have).
Look, I’m not saying that she wasn’t raped. I AM saying that it’s fairly common for parishioners to say one thing and have the truth come out later. Any minister should be able to acknowledge that…it’s what makes counseling so difficult for us.
This wouldn’t be the first time an upset church attendee leveled a rape charge in order to gain publicity when that wasn’t what happened at all. Heaven knows there are enough people out there who look for Fundy issues like this and then blow them way out of proportion in order to get their own 15 minutes of fame.
Thirteen years ago while in Concord, New Hampshire, a young lady and her mother contacted me and revealed that the young lady, then a minor, was with child because of an encounter with a married man. Because the man an adult, I sought legal counsel and carefully reported the situation both to the Concord, New Hampshire Police and to the New Hampshire Department of Children and Youth Services. I followed up with the police a second time and gave them more details of the allegations. I had a second contact with the DCYS as well. (I remain in possession of my contemporaneous notes regarding these calls.) Though the man and his family attended the church where I served, he was not a deacon or an officer in the assembly. The family of the accused had established a baby-sitting relationship with the minor.
The fact that he calls it an “encounter with a married man” makes me wonder if perhaps she originally told him she was raped (which is why he contacted the police and DYFS), but then later it came out that the sex was consensual when the police got involved (this would explain why they didn’t pursue the ‘rape charge’ as vigorously as all have assumed they should have).
Look, I’m not saying that she wasn’t raped. I AM saying that it’s fairly common for parishioners to say one thing and have the truth come out later. Any minister should be able to acknowledge that…it’s what makes counseling so difficult for us.
This wouldn’t be the first time an upset church attendee leveled a rape charge in order to gain publicity when that wasn’t what happened at all. Heaven knows there are enough people out there who look for Fundy issues like this and then blow them way out of proportion in order to get their own 15 minutes of fame.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
Pastor Phelps is under investigation for obstruction of justice. It’s possible that all his notes and communications will be subpoenaed. If you contact him directly, your contact with him becomes a matter of public record and part of a criminal or civil trial. He’s not going to say anything- and not because he’s hiding something (although that’s possible) but because he knows that everything he says about this case right now has the possibility of becoming evidence.
That’s something I think we should carefully consider- if something like this were to happen in one of our churches, every contact and conversation becomes part of the investigation. Everything a church does as part of their own disciplinary procedures, every action in accordance with or violation of the church constitution becomes public record… it’s alot to think about, like Bro. Paul noted. We can talk amongst ourselves about church discipline and separation and submission and repentance… what does all our churchspeak sound like to an unregenerate world, especially if we are under a legal and journalistic magnifying glass?
That’s something I think we should carefully consider- if something like this were to happen in one of our churches, every contact and conversation becomes part of the investigation. Everything a church does as part of their own disciplinary procedures, every action in accordance with or violation of the church constitution becomes public record… it’s alot to think about, like Bro. Paul noted. We can talk amongst ourselves about church discipline and separation and submission and repentance… what does all our churchspeak sound like to an unregenerate world, especially if we are under a legal and journalistic magnifying glass?
[Greg Long] That’s a great point, Karl. However, there is a difference between questioning a person’s motives and questioning his actions. Although some of the news reports have questioned Pastor Phelps’ motives (cover up, running a cult, etc.), I don’t think there is a lot of that going on here.In the example I shared, the ACTION was, in our minds, a social event to provide fellowship for the ladies of the church, and perhaps a service, if they wanted it.
In the mind of the senior pastor, our ACTION was commercialization of the church, and improper use of the church directory for the purpose of solicitation of business for personal gain.
Questioning the motive is not all that far removed from questioning the action.
The fact that he calls it an “encounter with a married man” makes me wonder if perhaps she originally told him she was raped (which is why he contacted the police and DYFS), but then later it came out that the sex was consensual when the police got involved (this would explain why they didn’t pursue the ‘rape charge’ as vigorously as all have assumed they should have).In defense of the police, I would hope that those men and women whose calling is “To Protect and To Serve” wouldn’t turn a blind eye to the law. I’ve had the privilege of knowing many law enforcement officers (including a couple who’ve worked similar cases) and none of them would fail to enforce the law in case like this for any reason.
BTW, considering the few facts we have, is there anyone who doesn’t believe that this man is guilty and the young lady is innocent?
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
[Greg Long] Pastor Phelps’ most recent statement (http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-pastor-rape-case-controversy-060310,0,22…) is helpful in some respects, specifically in the fact that he did contact the PD a second time. I still don’t understand why the man was not either encouraged to turn himself in or disciplined from the church.This is from Post #18 of this thread:
[Jonathan Charles] This is an article with a quote from Phelps:
––– Forum Director ––—
Poster did not provide link . I found what may be the link added it
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gcKuFXet0XK6WOFgLmwLn…
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Phelps said he reported the rape allegations to police and child welfare officials within a day of hearing about them from Anderson 13 years ago and did nothing to conceal her whereabouts. He said he also told Willis he was calling the police and advised him to turn himself in.
[Rev Karl]But he didn’t turn himself in and was allowed to remain a member of the church.[Greg Long] Pastor Phelps’ most recent statement (http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-pastor-rape-case-controversy-060310,0,22…) is helpful in some respects, specifically in the fact that he did contact the PD a second time. I still don’t understand why the man was not either encouraged to turn himself in or disciplined from the church.This is from Post #18 of this thread:[Jonathan Charles] This is an article with a quote from Phelps:
––– Forum Director ––—
Poster did not provide link . I found what may be the link added it
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gcKuFXet0XK6WOFgLmwLn…
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Phelps said he reported the rape allegations to police and child welfare officials within a day of hearing about them from Anderson 13 years ago and did nothing to conceal her whereabouts. He said he also told Willis he was calling the police and advised him to turn himself in.
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Greg Long, Ed.D. (SBTS)
Pastor of Adult Ministries
Grace Church, Des Moines, IA
Adjunct Instructor
School of Divinity
Liberty University
[Ron Bean]The fact that he calls it an “encounter with a married man” makes me wonder if perhaps she originally told him she was raped (which is why he contacted the police and DYFS), but then later it came out that the sex was consensual when the police got involved (this would explain why they didn’t pursue the ‘rape charge’ as vigorously as all have assumed they should have).In defense of the police, I would hope that those men and women whose calling is “To Protect and To Serve” wouldn’t turn a blind eye to the law. I’ve had the privilege of knowing many law enforcement officers (including a couple who’ve worked similar cases) and none of them would fail to enforce the law in case like this for any reason.
BTW, considering the few facts we have, is there anyone who doesn’t believe that this man is guilty and the young lady is innocent?
Maybe I was unclear - what I’m saying is that possibly the truth that it was consensual came out after the police started to investigate, so their hands were tied…if it’s consensual, you really can’t argue that it was a “rape”. If it was consensual, they can’t really prosecute because she agreed to it. I don’t know - I don’t know NH law.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
But he didn’t turn himself in and was allowed to remain a member of the church.OK. The incident was discovered, the crime was reported.
The purpetrator “followed the formula” and stood before the church to confess and repent. (I have not recording or minutes of that service, so I can only go by “eyewitness” accounts of what was actually confessed.) Contrary to common belief, the purpose of church discipline is to restore the fallen believer to fellowship. If he did follow Biblical procedure, what Biblical basis would TBC have had for dis-fellowshipping him?
Now, we transfer from the doctrinal to the civil legal. We are told that the crime was reported to several NH authorities in a timely manner, and followed up. At what point are we (the church) supposed to drag people to do what they are supposed to do? This has been discussed previously in this thread. Do we grab our teens by the arm and drag them to the police station if the are found to have been speeding? Drinking alcohol? Smoking? Doing Drugs? This man was counselled/taught/instructed on what he should do. He did not do it. Under what Biblical authority are we to physically restrain him and take him, against his will, to an authority that already knows his name and alleged crime?
There are no easy answers here, and I am not suggesting any. I just do not see a Biblical basis for believing that TBC Pastor/Staff fell short of of their obligations for not dis-fellowshipping this man, and not hauling him bodily to the authorities.
New Hampshire 632-A: 3The punishment is up to 7 years in prison.
Felonious sexual assault for anyone to engage in sexual penetration with a person, other than his spouse, who is under age 16
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
My first contact with this story was not on SI, but on the abcNEWS website.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/alleged-rape-victim-accuses-t…
Am I correct in reading that abcNEWS considers this a report on a Mental Health issue?
“Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.” Not Long Now!!
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/alleged-rape-victim-accuses-t…
Am I correct in reading that abcNEWS considers this a report on a Mental Health issue?
“Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.” Not Long Now!!
Do you all think that fundamentalist ministries have done a good job acknowledging that there is a lot of pain and anger out there because of unresolved issues of abuse in churches and other ministries?
Mrs. Faith Ingraham of[URL=http://speakingtruthinlove.org/Faith%27s-Story.php] Speaking The Truth In Love Ministries [/URL] grew up in a pastor’s home and became a pastor’s wife. As a Pastor’s wife, she finally had to confess the horrific abuse she experienced as a child at the hands of her father. Since going public with this, she has been bombarded by people who claim similiar horrors.
Mrs. Faith Ingraham of[URL=http://speakingtruthinlove.org/Faith%27s-Story.php] Speaking The Truth In Love Ministries [/URL] grew up in a pastor’s home and became a pastor’s wife. As a Pastor’s wife, she finally had to confess the horrific abuse she experienced as a child at the hands of her father. Since going public with this, she has been bombarded by people who claim similiar horrors.
People are afraid to rat out abusers for various reasons. I think one of the most reprehensible is when women and children are taught an unhealthy and unScriptural view of authority. They know that it doesn’t matter what happened to them through no fault of their own, they will be blamed for being unsubmissive in some way, and authority, by virtue of being ‘authority’, will not be held accountable. Then the victims start believing that they are at fault- if they were just a little bit sweeter, a little more Godly, a little more talented, a bit more subservient, then they wouldn’t deserve to be beaten or threatened or cheated on. I’ve seen it more often than I should, I can tell ya’ that. It’s almost SOP in some churches.
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