Thank you so much Lizzie For coming forward and sharing your testimony in videos and in a book behind blue curtains, it really did inspire many other victims to come forward and share their testimonies. We need to give all victims a voice. Thank you very much Mr. Amish Potato for interviewing her because she is such an inspiration and a voice for the ones that don’t have a voice
Yep there seems to be a huge awakening on this subject since Lizzie and other women have come forward and not only brought it into the light but are helping so many through it! Thank you Eli for your big role in it as well!
@@theamishpotato I was sexually ,mentally & physically abused. Im ok!!! YES YES!! Healing from them wounds is possible very possible !! I was abused by my biological Father. My Mom passed 03/2017 Dad passed 12/2017 I want to say, “our Family HEALED!!!!! Yes unbelievable that it is/was our Family remained a Family!! Deeply sadden when Mom passed!! Deeply sadden & hurt when Dad passed!! I miss them so much!!! I know it’s very difficult for people to understand how & why did I and still do MISS & 💕 my Dad and my Mother that stuck with him!!!its NOT cut & dry as it sounds??!!?? Much more to it many years of HEALING!!! It’s POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!””
I bought Lizzie's book after it was me toned on one of hour prior videos. I RARELY pay for a book but this was worth the fee. I, too, am a sexual abuse survivor and it impacted my life in ways I never realized, my personality changed overnight from a quiet, introverted little girl into a mouthy, belligerent, unruly person. I greatly appreciated the way her story was written and knowing she has overcome. I was never able to accuse my abuser and never spoke of it for years. By the time I did he was dead. It is said if one suffers abuse it tends to happen to our children and we process things as we ourselves had. My sons were also abused by a sitter. We reported it, a neighbor friends son was also abused by the same young man. Authorities told us to let the kids get over it, let it go! That infuriated me more than my own abuse! I got my sons therapy right away. I didnt seek therapy until decades later. We are survivors!
Thank you for sharing. It’s never too late to share. I shared my story with a women’s group publicly at 72. It was so freeing. Just yesterday I heard a counselor said you are as free as the depths of your story that you share. Bless you as you share your story. People do care and do want to hear.
I just started watching your videos, and i love them because they're accurate. Alot of the things you see on the internet about Amish people are inaccurate, to the point of being ridiculous. I think it's great that someone who really knows what it's like living that lifestyle, is sharing their perspective.
Lizzie, thank you for sharing your story!! Hufs to you!! Looking forward to the next video!! I wish you grew up in my family. You would have been listened to and protected!!🙏🙏❤❤
Thanks for sharing this difficult, but Needed, discussion about Sexual Abuse among the Amish. Yes, sadly, it can happen anywhere. Praying for God's healing. What courage it took (takes) to speak up! Thanks for your channel/videos.
Thank you Lizzie & CJ for your courage and your faith in Christ. Abuse of any type is so damaging to the soul. I appreciate your willingness to speak out and share the facts.
There is good n bad in all. It’s hard to believe that this happens but I believe you. And thank you for exposing the real stuff.Thanks Lizzie for bringing things out in the light.
You are required to report to the police. Not the victim (child). The adults who know. There is NO cure for pedophiles. None. They are predators. It is not about sex, but power/control. They need jail.
Thank you can and cousin Liz for sharing this video I read your book too. And I tell you the people that want to put all the blame on you are the ones just trying to justify their own guilt. It's sad
@@lizziehershberger2291 you're welcome Liz. And it's hitting some people right at home where it really hurts. And weather it's now or later they will have to face the harsh truth at some point in their life
@@andyp5853 yes and my book is really making its way under close family members right now. So hopefully they’re ready for the documentary when it’s released next year and my next book.
I'm a retired public school counselor and disagree with one of her comments. Abuse cases must be reported to the police first. Since children are usually not sent to public schools, there is no one outside the community who can report abuse. I am Catholic, and now clerics as high as Cardinals have been tried and convicted of sexual abuse. communities can practice their religions, but they cannot break the country's laws like child abuse.look at what finally happened to Warren Jeff's.
Police and government will not always work for the best of the child. Tyranny of medical exams regardless age of child and disagreement only adds to the trauma, plus those "you are fine" nonsense that are said to them all the time by uneducated social workers and others.
What Lizzy shares about how the Amish blamed her for terrible things that were done to her, I have seen done in other communities. SO much of what she shared in this podcast resonated with my experiences with the Amish. I LOVE my Amish neighbors and clients; I hold many of them in high regard. Many of their examples teach me how to be a better person. On the other hand, as Lizzy shared, certain aspects of their culture perpetuate harm to women and children. Sadly, I have several examples of that and often wonder what I can do to help these young girls who have no one to turn to. May God bless Lizzy as she does God's work bringing things of darkness to light and supporting those who also have had such experiences. Haley Straw
That response from her was really optimal, "Go educate yourself." 18:00 It really is the easy way out to blame the girl, or it's because they don't know how to hold males accountable but they need to learn, one way or the other. By experience will be a really hard way to learn!
Thank you so much for helping to highlight these issues. you have said and quite rightly so that most of us only know the Amish from movies and certain documentaries most of which focus on the positives and gloss over any of the bad things which may be going on. I think this is true with a lot of faiths though, not just Amish. these faiths tend to try and hide anything bad any member has done, and especially for anyone who may hold a higher position within the structure such as Catholic priests who were found to have committed an actual murder being sent to live in a monastery or trying to pay off a victim of sexual abuse so they will remain silent on what had happened. It is a horrible thing when a faith-any faith-decides that their pride is more important than upholding those values they are supposed to be teaching.
Thank you Lizzie for such a powerful presentation. Also, thank you CJ for offering these videos so that people can begin to become aware of theses issues. Great work guys.
I grew up around Swarzentruber, and they were some of the most loving, caring, honest people I know. Also, though-- a friend told me that there were some younger guys who would sneak to the houses of fellow dairy workers or horse farm workers and order porn on their cable tvs and watch it. That would likely lead to some issues. For the most part, they were my great friends. As an englisher, I still have a Swarzentruber friend as a pen pal. She and I were mothers alongside each other and my family moved away. They are our dear friends. We still go to their house and have dinner together when we visit Kentucky. They are honest with us about things that they face in the community. Some of the best humans on this earth....and as a community they still face things like this because we are all sinners. We are all wicked and need the Lord. My heart aches for Lizzie Hershberger. I pray that she continues to share her story for her own healings sake and to help others. I ordered her book. ❤
I'm from UK I've just watched something regarding 4 Amish brothers raping multiple times their 12 years old sister, hope they rot in hell obviously Americans no more about the girl now being named Daisy, hope in time she learns to cope with what's happened as she won't forget, now 2 of the older brothers are in prison.well they will now be getting a good beating .
Well yes, the victims definitely need access to proper help and therapy. And the abusers certainly do need therapy as well, as in long term therapy, once a week or so. However, we all need to be aware that there is NO cure for whatever mental perversion causes someone to sexually abuse others. Once that corruption is in the mind of an abuser, that person will need to be watched, and their access to potential victims will need to be limited and monitored for the rest of their life. If you leave them unattended, they will do it again.
It is admirable that you have spoken to your children about anyone touching their private parts. I just want you to know that that isn't all that needs to be discussed. My daughter was abused by a neighbor, but he did not touch her private parts, he had her touch his. (don't want to get too graphic here and be sensored) She was about 5 and didn't realize until she was in her midteens that what he asked her to do was inappropriate.
Lizzie it’s definitely not your fault. Thank you for sharing I can’t imagine the struggles you have been through. My God continue to put his protective hand on you in Jesus name!
I live in Monroe county, Ohio. There are Shwartzenstrubers (sp?). A few years back an amish man was charged with sexual abuse. We were all happy that he was charged! Everyone knew about it. Hopefully it scared the rest of them so they don't repeat this awful abuse.
I recently read an article that talked about this, it said if you are a thief there is help for you and you can stop stealing, if you are a liar there is help for you and you can stop lying, but there is only one that cannot be helped and that is a sexual predator and or pedophiles there is no amount of help.....
When you mentioned bread soup It took me back to my grandfather (German) he use to use bread to thicken everything, soup, stew, tomato sauce or any sauce really. It was always a hearty meal of some kind, thickened with stale bread. He also toped things with bread crumbs, casseroles topped with bread,butter and cheese.
Cj, it has long been blamed on the females whether they dressed inappropriately or actions asking for it. It's vital that this not be the case! And it's not okay to say girls have to yield to Male urges. Yes, girls need to be taught to be cautious and act/dress in a manner fitting young ladies. But young men also must be taught that they are to control their urges and not act out whether sexually, anger and such.
I have watched several of your videos and each time, I come away with the comparison of the LDS church (mormons) and the Amish. They parallel each other in almost every instance. Lots of abuse and mental games in both religions.
I just finished reading that book. So hard to read. I cannot imagine growing up with that. This needed to be written and you are brave for stepping up and baring your life to help others. I lived among the PA Lancaster co Amish and on the outside they seem to live an idealistic life. I pray for them and hope this is not common there. I also commend you for maintaining a relationship with you mother. That would have been hard for me. Bless you and thank you for your message.
I’m a retired police officer and prior to going to the streets I worked in the jail facility for years and you can’t fix these people. We had plenty of doctors of all kinds but honestly you can fix a predator
When we told my Mother our Father was molesting us,she said,oh get over it, you probably liked it, and when we told her about my Uncle doing the same,she dropped to her knees crying and begging him not to move out,so he stayed and continued to molest my sister, probably why she's Bipolar now.
Like in the olden days,it was hidden a lot too,the families kept it to themselves ,,,,,taboo,,,,,,,it’s not surprising , not because they are bad but because they are living like the olden days,,,,,,,I am an elder and remember the whispers and how a family member would get the boot without any explanation to us kids.,,,,when we grew up then we were told…. I have no memory of the law being called,,,,I am non Amish
Growing up I got the impression that they were almost saintly the perfect people but then come to realize as I got older they have just as many problems in their families as anyone else.
Hello CJ, I just found your channel. I live in Holland and this story"s are crazy to me. I love your work, I love you for doing this. Keep up the good work!. Greetings from Holland.
I have visited that community in SE MN. The families were large and very poor. My daughter actually became friends in a just a short time with an Amish girl named Rebekah. I have a basket she made, and a table runner that her mom made.
Lizzie, maybe my question is strange so feel free to ignore it. But you say that the people of the community were talking behind your back. How can they, consider that obeying the 10 commandments ?? "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour." Exodeus 20:16. As is written in James (2:10) "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
As true as that is I don't think the Amish know the Bible that well. Some Amish read the Bible in a language that most of them don't speak and others put their own rules above the Bible.
Also, I think it's important to tell our kids that they are allowed to say NO, kick, scream, spit, claw at any person with or without any authority if they try to touch them inappropriately. The “Always be obedient to authority“ culture ist very dangerous.
Dr. James C. Dobson, Ph.D., (now deceased), was a best selling Christian author, whose oldest son sexually abused his sisters, sought counseling from a state trooper not trained in mental health, and he continued molesting them. Focus on the Family's board of directors had to vote out Dr. Dobson out as chairman of the board. Sadly, Dr. Dobson thought marriage would cure his son, but he continued molesting little girls, as his sisters moved away. I was amazed that Dr. Dobson was in denial, especially when he wrote books about it!
Because of there being soo many rules to follow and the humiliating consequences of excommunication/shunning-if the rules were not followed, I really thought they would be to afraid to do something like this.
I was meaning "they" that grew up Amish and decided to stay. I was assuming one would be too afraid to be a perpetrator. It seems like Amish are walking in a mental straight jacket.
@@melindad180 I think for some communities it is like walking in a mental straight jacket. I guess for some, there desires are to strong? I have a hard time understanding how one can do something like that. Especially with the chances of it being found out in such tight knit communities. The children are required to obey older people in the community, especially women/girls when it comes to men so it would be very easy to abuse that as a man. Lizzie has mentioned in other interviews (I think) where the perpetrators were abused themselves as young boys and then turn into abusers.
Honestly it’s no different than rabies in an animal. I don’t even think the good lord can save them. I have never met on who has been “recovered”. My uncle molested is one. He stopped after I reported him at age 11, until he was off the registry and married a woman with 2 daughters. 14 years later he raped his 13 yr old step daughter for 2 years. And now MN has him off their registry because “he’s no longer deemed a threat”🤦🏼♀️
Murder is better than living with all that trauma for the rest of your life. I haven’t been $ex abused but I have been graped, beaten up, physically and mentally abused. I have some good days but the bad ones out weigh the good and I know I’ll never go back to the care free person I was before all of this.
Sexual abuse is more perpetuated in small, exclusionary groups, although it is everwhere. The solution is men's and women's accountability groups and being Biblically-based.
My gawd, read the book. Just buy it to support this woman, and if you read nothing else - turn to page 163 and read her Victim Impact Statement. Her book should be a textbook taught in schools.
Well we weren't Amish and I was raised the same way! No inside plumbing and a outhouse and we carried our water from a spring about a half mile away!! We went to a regular school too so imagine how embarrassing that was! We did have electricity but that was about all! It was a rough way to live!
The look on cj's face...😂 He was clearly horrified! 😂 I too grew up in the Amish, same community as cj, and only learned of communities doing this a few years ago!
Sexual Predators need to obey the law no matter where it happens. I feel for this woman. I had a brother molest my sister and I. I told my brother if he tried that again I would kill him. He never did it again because my mother was very religious person. He was afraid I would scream.
Clustered community living, joint family system, communes, cults, monasteries, nunneries, orphanages, old age homes, underground bunker facilities, schools, colleges, et al' are rampant with sexual crimes. Never mind, what their outwardly identity. The need to isolate themselves from the world stems from their need to hide their depravity from prying eyes of the world. Secrecy is paramount to them. To that end, also, the paramount need to train their victims to be submissive and timid. And what better way to do it than by endorsing it with 'scriptural' backing! (For instance, understand, who but wolves who dare to masquerade in sheep's clothing would dare to infiltrate such admonishments as the following and pass it off as the very Word of God? - eg., 1 Tim 5:9, "No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband (!), and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, WASHING THE FEET OF THE SAINTS (!!!), helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds." Perhaps now a few will begin to understand why the Lord had forewarned, eg. Mk 12:40, "..'Watch out for the teachers of the law... They DEVOUR WIDOWS' HOUSES and for a show make lengthy prayers. SUCH MEN WILL BE PUNISHED MOST SEVERELY.") Likewise, what better way to encourage submissiveness and timidity than by punishing the victim, so if not anything else, she'll learn to be more secretive thus literally help abetting the crime AGAINST HER OWN SELF! Those who punish her, or as in cases like Mohammedan communities which demand that she be stoned to death or beheaded, it is obvious the victims are punished for being careless enough to bring these male 'perpetrators' to public knowledge. Either which way, is it not she who is violated? She who has to suffer the repercussions of it her entire life? Like, some groomed into a life of promiscuity all their life, while the rest buckling under growing demands of life as they find themselves encumbered with so-called life of 'normalcy' in addition! I pray and hope many will find consolation in the fact that God sees it and knows it all and promises this to each one of you: Isa 51:23, "I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, who said to you, ‘Fall prostrate that we may walk on you.’ And you made your back like the ground, like a street to be walked on.” Yes, woe indeed to those through whom such things come (Matt 18:6-7) even though the world may let them walk free!!! If people in general today lean heavily towards individuality, nuclear families, basically choosing to live their own lives minding their own business - the reason is this. Faith in all man-made institutions have been absolutely destroyed. However, taking advantage of which, victimization has only intensified in the name of Freedom (which is just another word for licentiousness, decorated with such appealing terminologies as 'consensual') by lurking wolves outside who prey on their victims openly - in broad daylight as it were. Wake up women! Wake up mothers! Wake up Daughters! Hark, heed what the Word of God in Jer 9:20, Lk 23:28-31 etc. reminds and exhorts!
Sex abuse is caused by the person not the religion they are not living what their religion stands for you it happens in and out of religion i would rather listen to the good about things
The amish abuse i witnesed first hand in missorrey the horse ,s that pull the bugys they blind the left eye for the road. I rescue mules horses& donkys. So if thats religen thats not gods way. And now hearing about the sex abouse puts me in adifrentout look. It sadens me deeply. E ery body make wise choise,s.
One god🐎keep it simple.speek out stay strong.look at the children that absorbe miss bieleave. Hay its not me look at all the people coming out, with their sad storys.and how it afects their famaliys.
Have you ever read Elizabeth Smart's book? It's not Amish-related, but when dealing with abuse, she did a very good job of letting you know exactly what happened without being graphic. I need to reread it...
It’s equally important to explain to your daughters about the motives and tricks of the opposite sex at an appropriate age. Especially to the daughters whose fathers aren’t present…Great interview
It isn’t just opposite sex. It can be either sex, it can be fathers molesting sons and/or daughters, mothers molesting sons/daughters, it can be cousins or even siblings. It’s important to explain to our children what’s inappropriate, boundaries they are allowed to have and what they should do.
Having been raised rural & “next door” to 3 different Amish communities, I received the impression that people in authority in the English community try not to hear about any type of perpetrator who is a practicing Amish. Because we lived so closely intertwined with them, we saw certain families abuse horse after horse, and (rarely) heard stories about or suspected that a specific parent or spouse was negligent and/or abusive, but any outrage was brushed away with: “They take care of it their own way”. Tourists like to see buggies, bonnets, beards and babies. They take weekend trips to buy the items available at roadside stands and Saturday Markets and that’s the picture on the tourism website.
I live next to an Amish community here in northeast Iowa. I used to think the Amish were just the greatest. I also used to be what we call around here "a hookie lookie". No more. The abuse of the work animals is horrendous. I've seen rescues of Amish work, draft horses that will just make you sick. But the people around here just don't want to see it. I always suspected that abuse of children was happening. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I'll be buying your book.
You are correct about sex abuse and it is discounted. I always thought it the worse to happen to a person. You live with it forever. Murder is momentary and over. The sex abuse is acceptable by men and women go along that type of analogy of it. Forever it was ok not criminal. A terrible acceptance of behavior that injured a person forever in a horrible way.
Thank you so much Lizzie For coming forward and sharing your testimony in videos and in a book behind blue curtains, it really did inspire many other victims to come forward and share their testimonies. We need to give all victims a voice. Thank you very much Mr. Amish Potato for interviewing her because she is such an inspiration and a voice for the ones that don’t have a voice
Yep there seems to be a huge awakening on this subject since Lizzie and other women have come forward and not only brought it into the light but are helping so many through it! Thank you Eli for your big role in it as well!
@@theamishpotato I was sexually
,mentally & physically abused. Im ok!!! YES YES!! Healing from them wounds is possible very possible !! I was abused by my biological Father. My Mom passed 03/2017 Dad passed 12/2017 I want to say, “our Family HEALED!!!!! Yes unbelievable that it is/was our Family remained a Family!! Deeply sadden when Mom passed!! Deeply sadden & hurt when Dad passed!! I miss them so much!!! I know it’s very difficult for people to understand how & why did I and still do MISS & 💕 my Dad and my Mother that stuck with him!!!its NOT cut & dry as it sounds??!!?? Much more to it many years of HEALING!!! It’s POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!””
@@theamishpotato Amazing testimony. Amish seem such wonderful people, lam shocked. Please reply to me.
Sexual abuse should always be referred to the police. I thank you for your courage to take a stand.
I bought Lizzie's book after it was me toned on one of hour prior videos. I RARELY pay for a book but this was worth the fee. I, too, am a sexual abuse survivor and it impacted my life in ways I never realized, my personality changed overnight from a quiet, introverted little girl into a mouthy, belligerent, unruly person. I greatly appreciated the way her story was written and knowing she has overcome. I was never able to accuse my abuser and never spoke of it for years. By the time I did he was dead.
It is said if one suffers abuse it tends to happen to our children and we process things as we ourselves had. My sons were also abused by a sitter. We reported it, a neighbor friends son was also abused by the same young man. Authorities told us to let the kids get over it, let it go! That infuriated me more than my own abuse! I got my sons therapy right away. I didnt seek therapy until decades later.
We are survivors!
Thank you for sharing. It’s never too late to share. I shared my story with a women’s group publicly at 72. It was so freeing. Just yesterday I heard a counselor said you are as free as the depths of your story that you share. Bless you as you share your story. People do care and do want to hear.
Thank you for your words.
I just started watching your videos, and i love them because they're accurate. Alot of the things you see on the internet about Amish people are inaccurate, to the point of being ridiculous. I think it's great that someone who really knows what it's like living that lifestyle, is sharing their perspective.
Thank you for sharing you story. I know how difficult it is to bear that part of you to strangers. Blessings.
Lizzie, thank you for sharing your story!! Hufs to you!! Looking forward to the next video!! I wish you grew up in my family. You would have been listened to and protected!!🙏🙏❤❤
My ❤ goes out to you!! Stay strong 🙏🙏👍💪
@@laurakivlahan9111 thank you so much. I needed to hear those words.
Lizzie, you're an A-MAZ-ING Woman!! PLEASE don't ever forget that 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
The truth is, sex predators never stop.
It always has to be reported to the police
Thanks for sharing this difficult, but Needed, discussion about Sexual Abuse among the Amish. Yes, sadly, it can happen anywhere. Praying for God's healing. What courage it took (takes) to speak up! Thanks for your channel/videos.
Lizzie is an amazing woman. I met her through a social business. God bless you for having her on.
Hello 👋 how are you doing?
Thank you Lizzie & CJ for your courage and your faith in Christ.
Abuse of any type is so damaging to the soul. I appreciate your willingness to speak out and share the facts.
There is good n bad in all. It’s hard to believe that this happens but I believe you. And thank you for exposing the real stuff.Thanks Lizzie for bringing things out in the light.
You are required to report to the police. Not the victim (child). The adults who know.
There is NO cure for pedophiles. None. They are predators. It is not about sex, but power/control. They need jail.
Sorry to say it but there is no cure for people who abuse children sexually. Get rid of them forever if the state doesn't do it.
amen brother
I am honored to support you. Thank you for all that you do. Your absolutely incredible.
CJ, this is really powerful stuff. You're doing such a fantastic job with this series. Keep it up!
Thank you can and cousin Liz for sharing this video I read your book too. And I tell you the people that want to put all the blame on you are the ones just trying to justify their own guilt. It's sad
Andy, thank you so much. ❤️
@@lizziehershberger2291 you're welcome Liz. And it's hitting some people right at home where it really hurts. And weather it's now or later they will have to face the harsh truth at some point in their life
@@andyp5853 yes and my book is really making its way under close family members right now. So hopefully they’re ready for the documentary when it’s released next year and my next book.
@@lizziehershberger2291 cool yeah I can't wait for your next book. Hallelujah Liz
I'm a retired public school counselor and disagree with one of her comments. Abuse cases must be reported to the police first. Since children are usually not sent to public schools, there is no one outside the community who can report abuse. I am Catholic, and now clerics as high as Cardinals have been tried and convicted of sexual abuse. communities can practice their religions, but they cannot break the
country's laws like child abuse.look at what finally happened to Warren Jeff's.
Police and government will not always work for the best of the child. Tyranny of medical exams regardless age of child and disagreement only adds to the trauma, plus those "you are fine" nonsense that are said to them all the time by uneducated social workers and others.
What Lizzy shares about how the Amish blamed her for terrible things that were done to her, I have seen done in other communities. SO much of what she shared in this podcast resonated with my experiences with the Amish.
I LOVE my Amish neighbors and clients; I hold many of them in high regard. Many of their examples teach me how to be a better person. On the other hand, as Lizzy shared, certain aspects of their culture perpetuate harm to women and children. Sadly, I have several examples of that and often wonder what I can do to help these young girls who have no one to turn to.
May God bless Lizzy as she does God's work bringing things of darkness to light and supporting those who also have had such experiences.
Haley Straw
would you care to share in what ways the culture harms women and children in your opinion? Thanks
REPORT TO CPS AND POLICE ESPECIALLY BRUISES ETC OR FEMALES RAPE KITS DNA HUGE EVIDENCE
Excellent video, CJ. Excellent. I am ordering her brave book right now.
Bless you. Thankful for your testimony.
That response from her was really optimal, "Go educate yourself." 18:00 It really is the easy way out to blame the girl, or it's because they don't know how to hold males accountable but they need to learn, one way or the other. By experience will be a really hard way to learn!
God Bless all I am so sorry you had to go through that. Thank you for been there for others with these secrets. Great video once again💐🇨🇦
Thank you so much for helping to highlight these issues. you have said and quite rightly so that most of us only know the Amish from movies and certain documentaries most of which focus on the positives and gloss over any of the bad things which may be going on. I think this is true with a lot of faiths though, not just Amish. these faiths tend to try and hide anything bad any member has done, and especially for anyone who may hold a higher position within the structure such as Catholic priests who were found to have committed an actual murder being sent to live in a monastery or trying to pay off a victim of sexual abuse so they will remain silent on what had happened. It is a horrible thing when a faith-any faith-decides that their pride is more important than upholding those values they are supposed to be teaching.
Thank you Lizzie for such a powerful presentation. Also, thank you CJ for offering these videos so that people can begin to become aware of theses issues. Great work guys.
This is a great service you & Lizzie are doing. This happens across all lifestyles etc. Being silent is the worst thing we can do.
CJ thank you for the courage to have this interview and for your sensitivity to the subject. God bless you both💖
I loved her book. It made me so sad for her but also it made me nary that one would help her.
I feel for her ,I've seen it before not just Amish,keep everything within the community
I grew up around Swarzentruber, and they were some of the most loving, caring, honest people I know.
Also, though-- a friend told me that there were some younger guys who would sneak to the houses of fellow dairy workers or horse farm workers and order porn on their cable tvs and watch it. That would likely lead to some issues. For the most part, they were my great friends. As an englisher, I still have a Swarzentruber friend as a pen pal. She and I were mothers alongside each other and my family moved away. They are our dear friends. We still go to their house and have dinner together when we visit Kentucky. They are honest with us about things that they face in the community. Some of the best humans on this earth....and as a community they still face things like this because we are all sinners. We are all wicked and need the Lord. My heart aches for Lizzie Hershberger. I pray that she continues to share her story for her own healings sake and to help others. I ordered her book. ❤
I'm from UK I've just watched something regarding 4 Amish brothers raping multiple times their 12 years old sister, hope they rot in hell obviously Americans no more about the girl now being named Daisy, hope in time she learns to cope with what's happened as she won't forget, now 2 of the older brothers are in prison.well they will now be getting a good beating .
My sex abuse started at age 10 by the "good Catholic" neighbour man. It was nightmare. I'm now 55 & still haunts me
I’m sorry to hear that. Have you searched for healing? Reach out to Lizzie or voicesofhope.events. Maybe they can help you work through it.
Well yes, the victims definitely need access to proper help and therapy. And the abusers certainly do need therapy as well, as in long term therapy, once a week or so. However, we all need to be aware that there is NO cure for whatever mental perversion causes someone to sexually abuse others. Once that corruption is in the mind of an abuser, that person will need to be watched, and their access to potential victims will need to be limited and monitored for the rest of their life. If you leave them unattended, they will do it again.
It is admirable that you have spoken to your children about anyone touching their private parts. I just want you to know that that isn't all that needs to be discussed. My daughter was abused by a neighbor, but he did not touch her private parts, he had her touch his. (don't want to get too graphic here and be sensored) She was about 5 and didn't realize until she was in her midteens that what he asked her to do was inappropriate.
Lizzie it’s definitely not your fault. Thank you for sharing I can’t imagine the struggles you have been through. My God continue to put his protective hand on you in Jesus name!
I live in Monroe county, Ohio. There are Shwartzenstrubers (sp?). A few years back an amish man was charged with sexual abuse. We were all happy that he was charged! Everyone knew about it. Hopefully it scared the rest of them so they don't repeat this awful abuse.
Cj Miller you are an exceptional man. Love all you write about...
I recently read an article that talked about this, it said if you are a thief there is help for you and you can stop stealing, if you are a liar there is help for you and you can stop lying, but there is only one that cannot be helped and that is a sexual predator and or pedophiles there is no amount of help.....
When you mentioned bread soup It took me back to my grandfather (German) he use to use bread to thicken everything, soup, stew, tomato sauce or any sauce really. It was always a hearty meal of some kind, thickened with stale bread. He also toped things with bread crumbs, casseroles topped with bread,butter and cheese.
Good video!! I know this was a hard subject but so needed!
Cj, it has long been blamed on the females whether they dressed inappropriately or actions asking for it. It's vital that this not be the case! And it's not okay to say girls have to yield to Male urges. Yes, girls need to be taught to be cautious and act/dress in a manner fitting young ladies. But young men also must be taught that they are to control their urges and not act out whether sexually, anger and such.
Thanks for shinning a light on such a horrible problem that unfortunately happens everywhere, in every community all over the world.
Hello 👋how are you doing?
I have watched several of your videos and each time, I come away with the comparison of the LDS church (mormons) and the Amish. They parallel each other in almost every instance. Lots of abuse and mental games in both religions.
Very good video, thank you for bringing this type of abuse in the open.
I was hoping you'd address this. Thank you.
I just finished reading that book. So hard to read. I cannot imagine growing up with that. This needed to be written and you are brave for stepping up and baring your life to help others. I lived among the PA Lancaster co Amish and on the outside they seem to live an idealistic life. I pray for them and hope this is not common there. I also commend you for maintaining a relationship with you mother. That would have been hard for me. Bless you and thank you for your message.
Hello 👋 how are you doing?
I’m a retired police officer and prior to going to the streets I worked in the jail facility for years and you can’t fix these people. We had plenty of doctors of all kinds but honestly you can fix a predator
Nathan Urich. . You CANNOT cure a Preditor or C.S.A. except for a bullitt through their head.
@@crystalbluewire3339 I agree crystal
Thank-you -. Book sounds great 💖
The more people know this story the better
By law you have to repot it to the Department of Social Serices.
When we told my Mother our Father was molesting us,she said,oh get over it, you probably liked it, and when we told her about my Uncle doing the same,she dropped to her knees crying and begging him not to move out,so he stayed and continued to molest my sister, probably why she's Bipolar now.
Like in the olden days,it was hidden a lot too,the families kept it to themselves ,,,,,taboo,,,,,,,it’s not surprising , not because they are bad but because they are living like the olden days,,,,,,,I am an elder and remember the whispers and how a family member would get the boot without any explanation to us kids.,,,,when we grew up then we were told…. I have no memory of the law being called,,,,I am non Amish
Thanks CJ and Lizzie for this interview!
Yes, education is so important for parents to take the time to share with their children. Our children are so precious.Thank you.
Great video!
I just ordered the book
Wow this breaks my heart. Keep up the good work and exposure and get them (the victims)help and the perpetrators behind bars
Growing up I got the impression that they were almost saintly the perfect people but then come to realize as I got older they have just as many problems in their families as anyone else.
Hello CJ, I just found your channel. I live in Holland and this story"s are crazy to me. I love your work, I love you for doing this. Keep up the good work!. Greetings from Holland.
When Oprah interviewed an Amish couple,they talked about the husband spending to much time in the barn..Oprah was surprised to hear that.
Wish audiobook was available!
CJ.. you are so cute. I'm endeared to you now since I saw your leaving the Amish video.
Aahhh I recognized the accent right away. They're on the other side of my state
I have visited that community in SE MN. The families were large and very poor. My daughter actually became friends in a just a short time with an Amish girl named Rebekah. I have a basket she made, and a table runner that her mom made.
Lizzie, maybe my question is strange so feel free to ignore it. But you say that the people of the community were talking behind your back. How can they, consider that obeying the 10 commandments ?? "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour." Exodeus 20:16. As is written in James (2:10) "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
The key to this is that it is not false witness, unfortunately, it was true.
Good point. I have never heard a reply like that.
As true as that is I don't think the Amish know the Bible that well. Some Amish read the Bible in a language that most of them don't speak and others put their own rules above the Bible.
Read the book, glad she’s going to be ok!
learning about the Amish is great -there are lots of them in Pa.
They need to get of that cult NOW!!!
It's not just the Amish community.
Also, I think it's important to tell our kids that they are allowed to say NO, kick, scream, spit, claw at any person with or without any authority if they try to touch them inappropriately. The “Always be obedient to authority“ culture ist very dangerous.
Dr. James C. Dobson, Ph.D., (now deceased), was a best selling Christian author, whose oldest son sexually abused his sisters, sought counseling from a state trooper not trained in mental health, and he continued molesting them. Focus on the Family's board of directors had to vote out Dr. Dobson out as chairman of the board. Sadly, Dr. Dobson thought marriage would cure his son, but he continued molesting little girls, as his sisters moved away. I was amazed that Dr. Dobson was in denial, especially when he wrote books about it!
Because of there being soo many rules to follow and the humiliating consequences of excommunication/shunning-if the rules were not followed, I really thought they would be to afraid to do something like this.
By they do you mean the perpetrators?
I was meaning "they" that grew up Amish and decided to stay. I was assuming one would be too afraid to be a perpetrator. It seems like Amish are walking in a mental straight jacket.
@@melindad180 I think for some communities it is like walking in a mental straight jacket. I guess for some, there desires are to strong? I have a hard time understanding how one can do something like that. Especially with the chances of it being found out in such tight knit communities. The children are required to obey older people in the community, especially women/girls when it comes to men so it would be very easy to abuse that as a man. Lizzie has mentioned in other interviews (I think) where the perpetrators were abused themselves as young boys and then turn into abusers.
I don’t believe sexual predators can be changed in any way except for finding Jesus as their saviour. It’s a learned behaviour.
Honestly it’s no different than rabies in an animal. I don’t even think the good lord can save them. I have never met on who has been “recovered”. My uncle molested is one. He stopped after I reported him at age 11, until he was off the registry and married a woman with 2 daughters. 14 years later he raped his 13 yr old step daughter for 2 years. And now MN has him off their registry because “he’s no longer deemed a threat”🤦🏼♀️
It's inborn and can't be cured.
She’s such a beauty
Oh no ive just had eye surgery and you've got 2 blurry heads 🤣, il just have to listen instead 😊👍x
I know about sexual abuse it happened to my son with his father and a neighbor boy.
I’m really sad for your son. 💔💔❤️🩹
We are farmers in WI. we have both types of Amish (probably 100 within 2 miles of our farm)...
Murder is better than living with all that trauma for the rest of your life. I haven’t been $ex abused but I have been graped, beaten up, physically and mentally abused. I have some good days but the bad ones out weigh the good and I know I’ll never go back to the care free person I was before all of this.
Sexual abuse is more perpetuated in small, exclusionary groups, although it is everwhere. The solution is men's and women's accountability groups and being Biblically-based.
My gawd, read the book. Just buy it to support this woman, and if you read nothing else - turn to page 163 and read her Victim Impact Statement. Her book should be a textbook taught in schools.
Well we weren't Amish and I was raised the same way! No inside plumbing and a outhouse and we carried our water from a spring about a half mile away!! We went to a regular school too so imagine how embarrassing that was! We did have electricity but that was about all! It was a rough way to live!
Eating soup out of the same bowl wow way different than our community im amish in ny
The look on cj's face...😂 He was clearly horrified! 😂 I too grew up in the Amish, same community as cj, and only learned of communities doing this a few years ago!
My grandparents had this kind of meals, during ww2.
Yesterday I saw the movie "The Bounty Hunter" ... in this movie Gerard Butler looks like you ... hahaha same face.
Sexual predators do not change their behavior. Very sad. 😢
LOVE ELEPHANTS VERY PROTECTIVE INTELLIGENT COMPASSIONATE ANIMALS MAKE BETTER PARENTS I LOVE TRUST ANIMALS NATURE
Sexual Predators need to obey the law no matter where it happens. I feel for this woman. I had a brother molest my sister and I. I told my brother if he tried that again I would kill him. He never did it again because my mother was very religious person. He was afraid I would scream.
CJ, what community were you raised in?
Where can I get a copy here in Canada .
They take care of it just like the IBLP Church.
Clustered community living, joint family system, communes, cults, monasteries, nunneries, orphanages, old age homes, underground bunker facilities, schools, colleges, et al' are rampant with sexual crimes. Never mind, what their outwardly identity. The need to isolate themselves from the world stems from their need to hide their depravity from prying eyes of the world. Secrecy is paramount to them. To that end, also, the paramount need to train their victims to be submissive and timid. And what better way to do it than by endorsing it with 'scriptural' backing! (For instance, understand, who but wolves who dare to masquerade in sheep's clothing would dare to infiltrate such admonishments as the following and pass it off as the very Word of God? - eg., 1 Tim 5:9, "No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband (!), and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, WASHING THE FEET OF THE SAINTS (!!!), helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds." Perhaps now a few will begin to understand why the Lord had forewarned, eg. Mk 12:40, "..'Watch out for the teachers of the law... They DEVOUR WIDOWS' HOUSES and for a show make lengthy prayers. SUCH MEN WILL BE PUNISHED MOST SEVERELY.")
Likewise, what better way to encourage submissiveness and timidity than by punishing the victim, so if not anything else, she'll learn to be more secretive thus literally help abetting the crime AGAINST HER OWN SELF! Those who punish her, or as in cases like Mohammedan communities which demand that she be stoned to death or beheaded, it is obvious the victims are punished for being careless enough to bring these male 'perpetrators' to public knowledge. Either which way, is it not she who is violated? She who has to suffer the repercussions of it her entire life? Like, some groomed into a life of promiscuity all their life, while the rest buckling under growing demands of life as they find themselves encumbered with so-called life of 'normalcy' in addition! I pray and hope many will find consolation in the fact that God sees it and knows it all and promises this to each one of you: Isa 51:23, "I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, who said to you, ‘Fall prostrate that we may walk on you.’ And you made your back like the ground, like a street to be walked on.” Yes, woe indeed to those through whom such things come (Matt 18:6-7) even though the world may let them walk free!!!
If people in general today lean heavily towards individuality, nuclear families, basically choosing to live their own lives minding their own business - the reason is this. Faith in all man-made institutions have been absolutely destroyed. However, taking advantage of which, victimization has only intensified in the name of Freedom (which is just another word for licentiousness, decorated with such appealing terminologies as 'consensual') by lurking wolves outside who prey on their victims openly - in broad daylight as it were. Wake up women! Wake up mothers! Wake up Daughters! Hark, heed what the Word of God in Jer 9:20, Lk 23:28-31 etc. reminds and exhorts!
Sex abuse is caused by the person not the religion they are not living what their religion stands for you it happens in and out of religion i would rather listen to the good about things
The amish abuse i witnesed first hand in missorrey the horse ,s that pull the bugys they blind the left eye for the road. I rescue mules horses& donkys. So if thats religen thats not gods way. And now hearing about the sex abouse puts me in adifrentout look. It sadens me deeply. E ery body make wise choise,s.
One god🐎keep it simple.speek out stay strong.look at the children that absorbe miss bieleave. Hay its not me look at all the people coming out, with their sad storys.and how it afects their famaliys.
The Dooley's Of Michigan
Darn Pretty Baby ❤️
Ess varr dee bonna supp unn lot vek brood
Bean soup, and applebutter bread
Well sexual abuse happens everywhere so leave them alone
Are you someone who wants to keep it hidden?
WTF?
If you have the gutts the go for the "bishops?"
I ordered her book on Amazon this summer and I must say even tho she wasn’t graphic it was a well written book..
Have you ever read Elizabeth Smart's book? It's not Amish-related, but when dealing with abuse, she did a very good job of letting you know exactly what happened without being graphic. I need to reread it...
It’s equally important to explain to your daughters about the motives and tricks of the opposite sex at an appropriate age. Especially to the daughters whose fathers aren’t present…Great interview
It isn’t just opposite sex. It can be either sex, it can be fathers molesting sons and/or daughters, mothers molesting sons/daughters, it can be cousins or even siblings. It’s important to explain to our children what’s inappropriate, boundaries they are allowed to have and what they should do.
As a man, I will have this talk with my daughters in the future
Having been raised rural & “next door” to 3 different Amish communities, I received the impression that people in authority in the English community try not to hear about any type of perpetrator who is a practicing Amish. Because we lived so closely intertwined with them, we saw certain families abuse horse after horse, and (rarely) heard stories about or suspected that a specific parent or spouse was negligent and/or abusive, but any outrage was brushed away with: “They take care of it their own way”. Tourists like to see buggies, bonnets, beards and babies. They take weekend trips to buy the items available at roadside stands and Saturday Markets and that’s the picture on the tourism website.
Thank you for sharing Lizzie! Thank you Cj!
I live next to an Amish community here in northeast Iowa. I used to think the Amish were just the greatest. I also used to be what we call around here "a hookie lookie". No more. The abuse of the work animals is horrendous. I've seen rescues of Amish work, draft horses that will just make you sick. But the people around here just don't want to see it. I always suspected that abuse of children was happening. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I'll be buying your book.
Thank you, CJ, for shining a light on the REAL pandemic! It's rampant worldwide! 🙏🏻♥️♥️✌🏻
I just went to Amazon and bought the Kindle version. Can't wait to read it. 😊
You are correct about sex abuse and it is discounted. I always thought it the worse to happen to a person. You live with it forever. Murder is momentary and over. The sex abuse is acceptable by men and women go along that type of analogy of it. Forever it was ok not criminal. A terrible acceptance of behavior that injured a person forever in a horrible way.