I shall always tell my story because one person in a class I gave a speech about child SA told me in the anonymous critique, “I thought I was the only one. Thank you.” Always speak up. Always talk about it. You never know who needs to hear it.
Yes and many of those women have been religious, for the argument that Christian women were always good quiet little servants. When someone can go from being a widowed mother at 13, to putting their son on the throne and be deeply devout while doing it
@@nerysghemor5781 Sure and in some movements they had to be or their behaviour would be used against them, like the civil rights movement in the US. But we know, as soon as women start making a fuss, they're demonised and they're just shrill harridans or whatever. Sometimes you have to break the doors down
I'm Italian and we absolutely do not kiss friends or strangers on the lips. 😳 It's more like a general kiss gesture in the area of your cheeks, basically it's only cheeks touching if anything at all. I wouldn't even mind a kiss on the cheek from my close friends honestly, but absolutely not from strangers or people I barely know. Plus you're not even forced to do that in general. You can just hug if you want to, or just say hi. Shake hands with strangers. I'm appalled that people would use this an excuse to justify these kind of gross, forced and unjustifiable practices.
I first noticed that some old American and British movies had family characters kissing on the lips. It was grossed me. I have seen people do that. At first, it was only white people, but within 15 years minorities have also been doing it. 🙈
The Mennonites call it “the holy kiss”. I used to go to a Holdeman Mennonite Church. And it was very brief and light kiss, meant to be between sisters in the church. It’s our tradition.
@savvygood why on the lips and not the hand. I hate the man made religion. I remember when I was a kid, we went to a catholic church. You can say it was a Puerto Rican one. We aren't Puerto Rican, so during service, they would kiss each other of the cheeks. We didn't participate, and the Baptist church I have been to shake hands, which I prefer.
@@sky-pv7ff it is a practice taken from the Bible. There are 4 passages, one of which is Romans 16:16, that mention greeting each other with a kiss. It’s meant to be a symbol of love, acceptance, and unity. And is only practiced between members of the same sex. If you visited, and weren’t a member, no one would offer a kiss to you, you’d be met with a handshake.
@@savvygood men and boys, women and girls. I see for some reason you are defending it, are you sure you're an ex? I also noted you said its 'our' tradition. If you are no longer a member of the cult, how could it still be your tradition? The kids are manipulated into believing they must do it. And if they do not, they'll be harmed and labeled bad & unruly, humiliated, shamed, ect. That goes along with ALL the rules. Its sickening. Your book says not one single word of it being lip to lip. And allowing all the pedos that live among them to kiss kids is truly horrifying. Fact: there are pedos there. They've always been there. Fact: those predos are lip kissing little boys and enjoying it. Fact: not all pedos are men. Fact: complete strangers from other states and even counties are kissing kids on the lips during their travels. Fact: germs spread easily through saliva and combined with a lack of education for the kids plus the brainwashing threat they'll go to hell if they do not comply, they are not given the knowledge to be able to make mass cult kissing ritual decisions in an educated manner. They are kids and should be protected before all else, but that isn't what is happening, now is it? Go ahead, tell me which things are incorrect because 100% of those cult kissing facts is correct and you know it, even if you don't like it.
I cannot shake the nauseous feeling that in the background, her father was standing around with other men from his cult bemoaning his troubles with his rebellious daughter and the lengths he has to go to to try and fix her and how hard it is on him, getting patted on the back and empathy, only to then go home and gleefully abuse her. Bloody hell.
Your sin will contaminate their food, but kissing a stranger on the lips isn’t contaminating. There is absolutely zero logic within these cults. 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
I'm from Spain. We do the two kisses. And we're used to kiss basicly everyone. For example, you meet someone for the first time, and you give two kisses on the cheeks (more to the air, specially if you're not well acqueintenced) Well, I can't imagine a single person in my country that wouldn't be gross out by this kissing on the lips thing. It's just disgusting in so many levels .
In any other context, I was thinking, that criminal would be serving decades - if not life - in prison. So much violence is concealed within the "wall of separation" that protects religion from the oversight of the civilized state
Yes, the abusive guys are just looking for the excuse and he ended up raping her of course. That's so often the extra control because he loves the abuse.
@@nohorasims656 They all should be, but they create these communities where they blame the women. Amish, LDS, all fundamentalist religions, they all blame the victim.
I am afraid to imagine how his narcissist rage was transferred to the other children. This stuff has to stop. We have to stop letting men put themselves above women, children, and other people whom they seem lesser.
I’m an X holdermen and new Hannah growing up we knew something had to be going on in that home but had no idea until a few years ago what the truth was ! God Bless you Hannah for bringing this all to light !! I’m sorry for all you went through !! 😢
@@hannahprosser1004 Hannah, Thank you for being so generous with yourself and your story. You have touched so many lives in unimaginable ways. You have a bright and beautiful future and I hope you continue to live your best life. You deserve whatever your heart desires and you are clearly brave enough to go out and seek it. May your life be filled with love and music. Sincerely, Bunny
I just cant express how thankful I am that my grandfather left the mennonites, saved me soooo much trouble. I commend you for your choices and admire your strength.
My mother left the Mennonites but brought her oppressive morality with her. When we moved to the big city, I met students who were interested in leftists politics and taught me about human rights. It was such huge breath of fresh air!
@@pirbird14 There was a really interesting Mormon stories interview where the woman was already pretty woke for a Mormon, went on her mission and was partnered with someone who actively called themselves a feminist etc. She left the mission early and the church not much later because of that and them casually explaining to a black man that ol'Joey boy said black people were cursed
She is so brave! What a smart idea to call for help. I am glad she broke the cycle with her girls and that she has sweet dogs to help her with her PTSD.
Wow, Hannah is such an unusual person. To have the determination at such a young age that "she would NOT be property," and thus would refuse to walk behind her father. It boggles my mind that she would take the beatings that followed without changing her behavior in order to avoid the abuse. I'm glad she survived. She could have actually been killed for that rebellion. Amazing strength of will.
@@ninamontrosse5588 Keep speaking up. The offender may not go to prison but you never know when someone else is in earshot who thinks they’re all alone.
@@ninamontrosse5588 Where are you? How old are you? If you are in the US, so long as you are over 18, you are allowed to leave the situation. It may not be easy but there are resources.
That's why people often can't just "move on" from trauma...rational part of the brain might say trust again but the survival brain is ready to treat everyone as a potential perpetrator
@leahflower9924 I think not just purpotrator but rnabler too, the amount of people who know a child is being abused, or see the signs but deliberately choose to not do anything letting the abuse continue is awful. If a child is brave enough to speak ip amd ask for help, then get let down to suck a painful extent, then of course trusting people would be more diffocult. I also think it has an even worse impact if the adult is supposed to protect the child, or is seen as a reliable leader by the community.
@@NotAnotherKuromiA lot of the time even if you report they will do nothing, I tried to report my mother, they said I didn't have enough to go on to even look into it. When I was a child CPS was called more than once and they always left and did nothing. Sometimes it's just nearly impossible.
How is this amazing young woman not an ax murderer??? My soul hurts so much. I ordered her book. She is one of my newest heroes. Stay brave, sister. You are saving hundreds. ❤️
I have seen this over and over. Whenever children or wives are considered property, abuse seems to crop up. I believe it is because that puts those people into the category of Thing as opposed to Human. My father’s mother wrote me out of her will because he didn’t have one and all of his estate (mainly hospital bills) went to me. She stole things from his estate because in her mind, given he was her child, everything he had belonged to her. He was in his fifties when he passed.
This is exactly right. When people are considered property they are dehumanized. People treat animals however they want, and only in extreme cases will people step in and stop it. It’s the same mindset in communities where women are considered property.
That's awful! A similar thing happened to a friend of mine, and it left her in a terrible state from which she never fully recovered, financially and otherwise. It was a horrible situation all around.
I was exposed only to a small amount of physical violence and did not try to get help for that, not even knowing it was wrong because it was called spanking (it was with a wooden spoon). What I did try to get help with was my sadistic mother tormenting me. I begged to be heard so many times, once I realized it wasn't normal. CPS had come in around the time my sister was hospitalized for an unexplained illness, but they left us there and my mom made my dad stop hitting us, not to keep us safe, but because she didn't want CPS back. I then became her target. She managed to convince me, my family and the school psychologists that I had a severe intellectual, emotional and mental disabilities. She would do things to me so that I looked like I was unable to cope with the basics and make false reports. Anyway, I was suffering so much and when I asked literally every adult I could for help, they thought I was being negative and confused and they told me to respect her and get ahold of myself. Not one person helped. I'm writing this because I see that pain of not being believed. I live with PTSD and one of the things that puts me into flashbacks is being around other people who are ignoring each other's needs, like the bus or grocery stores. It gives me major panic attacks and takes me back to not being seen and believed ass a child. I've been posting in these a lot because my family was isolated. We were not allowed to do normal things. The abuse was covert and hard to see and the damage of just that alienation and difference has been a life long struggle for me. I relate to years of no TV, of being an object, of sibling abuse. I relate to having to deprogram the conditioning of my family unit. I believed that I could not work or do anything on my own for so long, that at 46, I am first learning to drive a car. I was told I couldn't do stuff like that.
Oh my that's just horrible. I'm so sorry that you had to endure such awful emotional and mental abuse. I hope you can continue to heal from that and have a better life.
Emotional abuse...and I would say physical because it affected your overall ability to function. I'm so sorry you experienced that. What happened to your sister? Did your mom try to make people think she was sick, too?
@@maryeckel9682 I think she munchausen'd the first time with my sister, but can't verify. She stopped breathing when I was 6 and she was 4 and there was a lot of attention from it over a 6 month hospital stay. My mother was sick as a child and wasn't helped, so I think she was starting to develop behaviours to fill that need. She's a smart sadist, though, so CPS coming in around that time taught her immediately not to be obvious. My mom was legit sick, but instead of seeking appropriate care, from the appropriate people, she blew all that up, too. If someone else was sick, she would break her toe, etc. Attention had to be on her. She was insane with rage when my Dad had a relatively benign cancer situation later in life. Same goes for any deaths in the family. Thanks for saying that about physical. It was. She dysregulated my central nervous system on purpose so I would be a wreck and it has been a lifelong journey to learn to self soothe. I couldn't sleep for most of my life and am on meds now for all of that. She did that all so she could virtue signal caregiving and get sadistic pleasure in me reacting to what she was doing. It was so covert, so she could pretend to care while creating scenarios where I was suffering. None of this stuff is ok, from cults, to munchausen's or any abuse. Taking over someone's sense of self before they aree self aware and then throwing them into the world to be devoured is just not ok. None of us knew safety. Cults, bad homes, all of it is terrible that childhoods were stolen, self concept was smashed, being sheltered so living in the world is hard....
Oh my dearest person, I'm so so sorry. Abuse is abuse. I can somewhat relate. 'Spanked' by my parents with leather flogger (made by my grandfather for punishing children), belt, hand, slipper. You know, sure, it's not the worst of the worst but it's absolutely horrible. They fought each other for hours and then were bringing me in to vouch for either of them. Whichever side I picked (based on arguments), I was left behind to fight the other person on my own. The things I heard and felt caused my possible Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Bordeline Personality Disorder. I was told that I won't learn or won't be anything too. I wasn't supposed to pursue things I enjoyed, I was supposed to conform. You are so eloquent and aware. Don't you stop being you, don't stop going. You are worth so much more than any of that crap that you have been conditioned to believe.
I’m 70 and not from a Mennonite family but so much of her story matches my story. I do get triggered but it’s easier for me to listen than it was for me to do therapy. So I watch your interviews. I am seeing this woman as such a strong woman and I’m proud of her. I was able to chuckle one time as horrible as it is, my father tried to hit me once but he was smallish and not too strong. As a preteen girl, I caught him and told him, no you’re not. I can still only think of bits and pieces of my childhood
I am always amazed at the resilience of people who grow up in this sort of environment, who never really know any different, and are still able to question their world, to come out swinging at the inconsistencies. Just. Wow.
I wonder if the dad was looking for a close knit strict community to take strict control of his abusive behaviours in actuality. It would be interesting to know where the dude got his abusive behaviours and why her mother got along with it. This dude belongs in jail. Jailing more people like this would help.
There is a saying, "There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect." My guess is he went church shopping, consciously looking for a group that did not bind him (e.g. professionally, etc.) but bound his victims (e.g. his wife & children). This father is irredeemable.
This one had me in tears. What Hannah went through was literally torture. Criminals who are in prison have more rights than she did! Her father should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The investigation wasn't thorough. I realize that certain evidence was lacking, but they should have done more. I feel like the right to practice any religious beliefs is good, but it also allows people to get away with a lot. Hannah, I wish you continuing healing. I'm so happy to hear that you have a family and are free.
I was raised in California when children were considered property. My alcoholic celebrity Dad wood get caught driving drunk at 2am with me (at 5 years old) and the CHP would laughingly escort him home without a single citation. This happened at least 35 times. I remember bringing home material from a school presentation on Alateen and my Mother yelling at me and ripping it up and forbidding me to mention it to my Father. It never occurred to me to tell anyone about the sexual abuse. Good for you for questioning the situation and breaking free.
I used to work in a hardware store and this Mennonite guy walked in wearing overalls and a straw hat. And no joke said "I've been in here a few times and I think your pretty, you don't look like you wear too much makeup." And I said thanks and he looked me dead in my face and said "Do you like sex?" And I was just like "Are you even allowed to ask me that?!" And he walked away. But I've never been so shocked in my life.
Oh my goodness 😳 Yikes! Unfortunately when these communities shelter the generations so severely you often get these perverted weirdos completely lacking in social skills.
What a shithead. I was once stopped with a, "Hey!" by a random man at a vending machine only for him to ask, "you down for some skull fucking?" I was a minor and this has stuck with me, probably because days later I was raped by a different stranger. Sorry for commenting about something that doesn't have to do with Mennonites but I'm just so very tired of the kind of speech and behavior that insists that women are subhuman sex objects. It's disgusting and horrific.
Thank you Hannah for telling your story, so evil a life you lived. Your courage in taking that phone and making that call, so glad you had the book to get that number from. All the best for your life in the years to come.
I've had Mennonite friends. One of those was beaten mercilessly. He was somewhat broken still at his now advanced age. His life had improved but he still had to be Mennonite. I hope he finally escaped. Love always to Hannah.
What a strong, inspirational woman. She knew she was her own individual and deserving of personal autonomy from such a young age. Questioning her religion and lack of education was gutsy and a brave act.
Listening to her talk at the end about how she didn't know basic stuff reminded me of myself. I was very neglected, isolated and had the old school type of parents that believed that kids should be seen and not heard. I didn't know anything about anything and it was always so scary to be asked something that I had no idea about. Like music or movies or tv shows. It's terrible for a child not to be able to speak openly to their parents. I'm so glad Hannah made it out, and I hope she is well
I wish that churches and other groups would value bodily autonomy and teach consent. As a grandmother of an autistic grandchild, I have learned so much about getting consent before a ‘lavish my love’ on my beloved grandson. It was so hard at first, but now that I understand him better, I would never touch him without his consent and he is only two. This conversation on Mennonite kissing has broadened my understanding to “Of course I shouldn’t be touching anyone without their unpressurized consent, regardless of my ‘good intentions’.” Thanks for making me a better person. ❤❤
Thank you Shalise for taking in those crazy yet relevant stories and thanks for the guests to be vulnerable and open to educate us. I feel so ignorant when it comes to the ugly side of the world. We can't stop the flood of truth, because it will flush away the harms.
I love that in your thumbnails you always see your guest's faces! It's so amazing that even though you are the host of the podcast & channel, you never take the spotlight away from the people you bring on these episodes ❤
What a brave, lovely young woman. That must have been so difficult to tell her story. When I came out of a cult it took a very long time to get over CPTSD and my story is nothing compared to this so I can't imagine the horrendous difficulties she faced. Bright blessings to you both. :)
She still has her light despite the numerous beatings. She's so brave to make that phone call and to share her story that shines a light on her unfortunate terrible childhood. Her mom seemed to rebel in her own way by taking her kids to the library and allowing them to just READ! Knowledge is power for sure and the people obsessed with controlling others know this.
What a brave woman! The Mennonites originally came from the Netherlands. I am Dutch. Some people here talk about the Mennonites as such a cute little piece of heritage from our country. I had my doubts. Unfortunately I was right. So sorry.
It truly is so impressive to hear people talk about this sort of abuse publicly. It really is helpful to hear, even though what I have experienced is very minor by comparison. It's so complicated when it is family who harm us. This is such a great show! I love the way it centers and respects the survivors, while giving the necessary details about the harm happening to people in these high-demand groups.
The no-courtship juxtaposed with lip kisses for all is really a mind bender for me. Just when I'm thinking oh, yeah, it's so all the men can get kisses, then she says it was only same-gender kisses-- how many corners can my mind bend around? Si now I'm overwhelmed with how tailor made that is for pedophiles, where even in that brief moment of close priximity they can read who would make a likely victim and begin grooming them for longer more private "greetings". Yuck!
My dad grew up very conservative Mennonite, and he talks about how some of the older men in his church and in other congregations practiced the holy kiss. And how he got roped into it sometimes even though it repulsed him. And he said everyone knew there were certain men to try to avoid because their kiss was less holy and more lingering than others. 🤮
@@savvygood Out here, a person can say "sorry, I don't shake hands" and be thought merely a little odd, but life goes on... I wonder, if a little Mennonite girl spoke up saying she didn't do "quick, light, no purse kisses" would she be considered just a little odd, or would she mark herself as someone requiring "discipline"? Perhaps various-sized sticks would be used on her instead of dry lips?
As someone who is still stuck in the holdeman mennonite cult(and is planning to leave as soon as possible), it's changed a lot in the past idk, 10 years I guess. The woman are allowed to wear store bought dresses, but they have to meet the modesty standards like having to cover your knees whether standing or sitting, not having too big of a neckline, etc They can wear short sleeved dresses, the sleeves are like regular t-shirt sleeve length, but for church or any kind of deal they have at church, they would have to be long sleeves. They still have to wear black shoes to church. The men i don't think have changed much, except for they are allowed to wear shirts with like designs on them for everyday. There's still no music, no jewelry, no tv, none of those things It's honestly really gross how they can just get away with stuff
I left 8 years ago. You can totally do it! It's hell at first, but after a few years, you will find your way and place in the world I promise, it's 💯 worth it! I will never never go back.
Watching the trauma cross her face is very painful especially when she talks about her escape. I cried for her but admire greatly her daring escape and her survival.
Her dad was an actual doctor and did this?!? He was mandated by his profession to report suspected abuse yet treated his daughter and family this way. WTF???
Yes. And he is still a doctor. He used to work in E.R.s but has been working out of the back of the same house where I was locked in for a long time now. He also does house calls.
@hannahprosser1004 so sorry to hear you went through all you did and everyone around you thought it was normal. I live right near Lancaster County PA and know lots of horrible things that happen in the Amish community here.
I had a psychologist explain to me that SA is an addiction. These evil people are addicted. And if you have ever known an addict, they don’t stop, not ever.
Though I didn’t grow up in a cult, the army was my fathers cult. He took great pleasure in abusing us so he could and would have control of our family. I was treated worse because I also asked questions such as “why does the man always have to come first?” His response was never kind and he was always going after me for even dropping my head when he spoke to me. I fell into active addiction and almost killed myself over his denial of love for me. I continue to recover everyday from my abuses and addiction.
My family is originally from the same part of Kentucky. I had no idea this was going on there. I’m so proud of you for standing up for yourself Hannah!
I’m appalled this monster isn’t in jail! This makes me sick to my stomach…literally….I feel like I’m going to vomit. You Hannah are a very strong person and I wish you the best. However, I was so hoping this would have ended with you saying your father was in prison for the rest of his life!
I just found your channel. It’s amazing! I’ve only watched a couple videos but they are so fascinating. I didn’t grow up in any religious settlement or community but I am a survivor of child SA and these women are incredible! They are so strong and brave, I could not imagine growing up in these situations
Hannah, your positivity, bravery, and strength are all so inspirational and give us hope that we can not only survive our pasts, but also thrive in creating our new life for ourselves. Good for you for never giving up in continually asking questions. Thank you for speaking up. 💜
Hannah, I’m very proud of you! I’m also an ex Holdeman and have not suffered abuse, but could relate with many other aspects of your story, such as being inquisitive about why we had to do certain things, and then getting push back for even trying to understand why. I’ve been out for many years and have found such a freedom in living for Christ without all the extra rules to wade through. Yes those first years are hard learning to integrate into society but isn’t it so worth it to be true to yourself and to what you believe in?! Stay strong my friend. You are not alone! ❤
Have yet to listen to this episode but soooo excited to see it… thank you for shedding light on these circles… I grew up Mennonite and the more I walk away from that kind of lifestyle the more I see just how culty it was and not very many ppl are talking about it and just see them as “good” people. I know soooooo many stories of abuse being shoved under the rug and it seems so prevalent in these circles…. Thank you for giving these victims a voice!
Thank you for standing up and being such a strong and unbreakable woman Hannah. I'm so proud of you for getting out. Sending love to you and I hope you live the rest of your life in peace. 💜
Sitting here in Germany on a sunny Sunday morning, it's hard to hear such sad Storys. My heard goes out to those brave women. I wish them all the very best for their future live. ❤
I found this channel a few days ago now I'm hooked! Hearing these stories is heartbreaking 😢 It makes me realize how lucky I was to grow up the way I did. I can't imagine the hell these poor children endure each day. I pray they are healing & happy today.
Hannah, I'm glad you found the strength and courage to escape the horror of what you had to endure, I hope and pray that there are people to help those left behind and are going through the horror's and nightmares no one should have to endure. Thank you for sharing your story.
Oh wow, I grew up Dunkard Brethren (similar to Mennonite) and we did the holy kiss thing. Ugh, I hated it! I never understood why it had to be directly on the lips. I could relate to her story so much.
Hannah, you should be so proud of yourself, all you have achieved, and over come. You are an astonishing human being. Thank you for sharing your story.
I am reading Hannah's book now and woah, it is heavy (I'm only half way through.). I cannot imagine everything you had to go to. And for you to continue to fight and fight and fight for the right to be your own person. Thank you for sharing your story. I will never understand how anyone can treat another human being the way you were treated. Not only by Ahaz but also the way you were treated by your mother and siblings.
These last several interviews have been very enlightening, I never knew that there were so many variation's of Amish/Mennonite denominations. Hannah's story is difficult, I'm so glad she's out and doing well.
Im sorry you were hurt by those you trusted . How strong you are to still find joy and be able to share your life. Thank you for being so brave. Its so wonderful u escaped.
Hannah, thank you for sharing. I deal with trauma everyday too. I also have autism, which can be confused with PTSD. In fact they have a high comorbidity rate. The fact that you (Hannah) ask a lot of questions in childhood along with being an outsider makes me think you may be too. I hate putting labels on myself but me knowing this has helped me a lot. Others pick up on my oddities and I have been bullied and othered a lot but knowing why helped me cope. I also am nicer to myself because this is a full blown disability and sometimes it takes me longer to do the things I need too and I have to take breaks. It’s like missing an arm but everyone thinks you have an arm, ya know. I wish you the best and I sincerely hope my comment is taken the right way. Sending love and good vibes. You are not alone ❤
Hi! I've never been tested but I also suspect that I'm on the spectrum. I always feel like I don't quite belong and other people don't seem to think in the same ways I do- except for those with a touch of 'tism! My closest friends are all diagnosed and I just assume I'm one of them too! 😂 I'm so sorry for what you've been through ❤
30:11 “the girl couldn’t hardly sit down” Gave me flashbacks to my upbringing in a Beachy Amish household. I used to get beat until I could barely walk, with whatever my dad could get his hands on, trying to “break my spirit”… freakin monsters!
As usual, Shelise, your interviewing skills are on point! Hannah, i am so proud of you for continuing to question through unspeakable abuse and for speaking out and writing about this. Your story will help so many people. I just bought your book.
I normally don't comment on videos. But your interview really touched me. You were so brave to share your story. I will definitely be buying your book.
As a survivor of many different types of abuse as you, I also have CPTSD and I want you to know it gets better, we know there is no cure but it definitely gets better. Keep putting the effort and going to therapy, one day you'll wake up and it will be better.
I am so sorry, Hannah, that you went through all of the horror. I am also incredibly happy to hear that you are doing better now! I hope future brings many great things and healing towards you ❤
Hannah could do very well on the craft show and Renaissance fair circuit with her leather goods. I’m so glad she kept fighting even when she thought she was weak. True courage and bravery is when you push forward not knowing what will happen. Hannah is so strong. She refused to let her father break her. That’s just one piece in her success story. Sending positive thoughts to Hannah for more healing.
What an amazingly brave woman she is! Thank you for sharing your story! And I DEFINITELY want to be kept in the loop if she decides to sell her purses!
I really admire her. What a strong and intelligent woman. I know what PTSD can do to you. I know that it takes a lot of strength and energy to cope and function and be the nice woman that she is.
It's so true that these adverse events we experience in childhood stay with us for the rest of our lives. Even in moments of joy there is still this sadness and darkness lurking just below the surface just waiting to be triggered. I really connected with her story in that way and am so glad she finally escaped and has been able to find joy in her own children and pets and hobbies. I hope she continues to find the best life has to offer and she is so incredibly brave and giving of herself to share her story so others don't have to feel alone.
There are just so many warped people out there who will find any excuse to be cruel to others. It makes me sick to my stomach to hear what you've been through. Thank you for having the strength to share and help others. My dad wasn't around much when i was growing up, but , omfg. No. What you both endured? And so many others? I just can't My dad did eventually say that he hadn't been a good father to me, to which I responded "You didn't hit me, you didn't abuse me, that'll do". He was dying and I think it was still a part of the manipulation, but I made peace with him. He wasn't a bad man Woohoo! To both of you for finding your own paths. I'm glad it's taken the form of helping others through your trauma 💜💜💜
Thank you for sharing your life experience with us Hannah!! You’re so much more than a victim… you’re an inspiration, you’re a survivor and you’re an amazing, strong, beautiful woman who is going to make this world a better place just by being in it!!
I’m always amazed at people who want to be controlled as ADULTS. I can’t imagine as an adult asking for permission for a cell phone. F that nonsense. Then to inflict that onto children to try and make them weak minded and also controllable. I just don’t get it. I’m so amazed at her strength and courage to fight for her right to her life!!!! Way to go!!!! 🎉❤
I’m sorry for what you went through. I believe you. May God bless you. I was raised in the Holdeman Mennonite church. I know hundreds of people. I have never known a story like yours. I was so loved by my parents, and I was a stinker !! I went to high school. I even got kicked out of high school 2 times. My parents were nothing but kind. Told me to try not to get in trouble, but they loved me unconditionally, always. I’m a very happy person, and I would never put up with abuse. I’m am happy you got away from your father. ❤
I would like to send Hannah some polite words of personal encouragement. It takes courage to survive the amount of abuse you have. Go forward and be outstanding! Best wishes.
My mom nearly joined the Mennonites, and was enamored of the Amish as well. Instead she joined a Catholic Cult, a spinoff of the ordinary Catholic church, in which she was able to inflict many Mennonite/Amish ideals, mind control, and discipline on herself and her family. Stories like yours smash the horrible, gaudy bubble of mythical sweetness people like my mom hold the Mennonites to be. Not surprisingly the SSPX Catholic cult I was raised in turned out to be full of physical, spiritual, sexual, and emotional abuse. They always promise so much protection and purity, and it always goes, so so badly. The way these communities enable men like your father is all too common and horrifying. May you find all love and healing, and triumph in the fact that he did NOT break you and does not possess you. Your strength is amazing, I pray that now your life is flooded with joy and triumph.
Hannah, you are a true survivor and warrior❤💪 I am so grateful that Hotline phone number was in your book and you saw that cellphone! That was no mistake! Shine brightly girl, you made it!!!!❤
I live in Phoenix very close to a Mennonite community (near Sunnyslope). Our local Mennonites typically the men were black, and some of them have side curls. You see some women without head covering, and some women fully covering your hair. They do not drive they take public transportation or walk. And they also don’t speak English as their first language I’ve noticed when I tried to speak to some of the ladies at the bus stop they don’t speak English to me if they even acknowledge me.❤ after moving to this area of Phoenix I asked a coworker about the Amish in my community and they told me they’re not Amish they’re Mennonites, and they actually settled Sunnyslope and you live right down the street from there. That’s why you still see so many over in area. He was actually from a midnight family, and his last name was Zins, but he was disowned.
Try being properly English in manner and culture when you speak to Mennonites. As a culture from socialist Central Committee to ultra fundamentalists like these sects, Mennonites revere the British and will open up when being spoken with respect and dignity. It has even been noted that it will get some fence sitting abusers to stop. Having said that, psychopathic abusers are simply seeking a victim/scape goat and will single out a random kid. This occurs in all human clusters and cultures with abusive psychopathic parents of course.
I shall always tell my story because one person in a class I gave a speech about child SA told me in the anonymous critique, “I thought I was the only one. Thank you.”
Always speak up. Always talk about it. You never know who needs to hear it.
One hundred percent agree. You are NEVER the only one.
You never know what's going on behind closed doors at someone's home. Appearances are that - only appearances!
Wow 😢
...,..,,,,..,,,........,....,..,,.,.,..
That's the first step knowing that you're not the only one
"Well behaved women rarely make history." The search for knowledge is the most powerful form of " misbehavior." Kudos!
Yes! This is so true 💯!!
definitely #this 💚
Yes and many of those women have been religious, for the argument that Christian women were always good quiet little servants. When someone can go from being a widowed mother at 13, to putting their son on the throne and be deeply devout while doing it
Depends on what you define as "well behaved." If you mean blindly submissive, I agree. But I think you can be dignified and still make history. :-)
@@nerysghemor5781 Sure and in some movements they had to be or their behaviour would be used against them, like the civil rights movement in the US. But we know, as soon as women start making a fuss, they're demonised and they're just shrill harridans or whatever. Sometimes you have to break the doors down
I'm Italian and we absolutely do not kiss friends or strangers on the lips. 😳 It's more like a general kiss gesture in the area of your cheeks, basically it's only cheeks touching if anything at all. I wouldn't even mind a kiss on the cheek from my close friends honestly, but absolutely not from strangers or people I barely know. Plus you're not even forced to do that in general. You can just hug if you want to, or just say hi. Shake hands with strangers. I'm appalled that people would use this an excuse to justify these kind of gross, forced and unjustifiable practices.
I first noticed that some old American and British movies had family characters kissing on the lips. It was grossed me. I have seen people do that. At first, it was only white people, but within 15 years minorities have also been doing it. 🙈
The Mennonites call it “the holy kiss”. I used to go to a Holdeman Mennonite Church. And it was very brief and light kiss, meant to be between sisters in the church. It’s our tradition.
@savvygood why on the lips and not the hand. I hate the man made religion. I remember when I was a kid, we went to a catholic church. You can say it was a Puerto Rican one. We aren't Puerto Rican, so during service, they would kiss each other of the cheeks. We didn't participate, and the Baptist church I have been to shake hands, which I prefer.
@@sky-pv7ff it is a practice taken from the Bible. There are 4 passages, one of which is Romans 16:16, that mention greeting each other with a kiss. It’s meant to be a symbol of love, acceptance, and unity. And is only practiced between members of the same sex. If you visited, and weren’t a member, no one would offer a kiss to you, you’d be met with a handshake.
@@savvygood men and boys, women and girls. I see for some reason you are defending it, are you sure you're an ex? I also noted you said its 'our' tradition. If you are no longer a member of the cult, how could it still be your tradition?
The kids are manipulated into believing they must do it. And if they do not, they'll be harmed and labeled bad & unruly, humiliated, shamed, ect. That goes along with ALL the rules. Its sickening.
Your book says not one single word of it being lip to lip. And allowing all the pedos that live among them to kiss kids is truly horrifying.
Fact: there are pedos there. They've always been there. Fact: those predos are lip kissing little boys and enjoying it. Fact: not all pedos are men. Fact: complete strangers from other states and even counties are kissing kids on the lips during their travels. Fact: germs spread easily through saliva and combined with a lack of education for the kids plus the brainwashing threat they'll go to hell if they do not comply, they are not given the knowledge to be able to make mass cult kissing ritual decisions in an educated manner. They are kids and should be protected before all else, but that isn't what is happening, now is it?
Go ahead, tell me which things are incorrect because 100% of those cult kissing facts is correct and you know it, even if you don't like it.
I cannot shake the nauseous feeling that in the background, her father was standing around with other men from his cult bemoaning his troubles with his rebellious daughter and the lengths he has to go to to try and fix her and how hard it is on him, getting patted on the back and empathy, only to then go home and gleefully abuse her.
Bloody hell.
That is exactly what happened. It was even done in front of me. My mom participated in things like that too.
It’s horrendous. I’m not a violent person but I’d like to make those abusers pay.
There's a place in hell for these monsters.
Your sin will contaminate their food,
but kissing a stranger on the lips isn’t contaminating. There is absolutely zero logic within these cults. 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
I'm from Spain. We do the two kisses. And we're used to kiss basicly everyone. For example, you meet someone for the first time, and you give two kisses on the cheeks (more to the air, specially if you're not well acqueintenced) Well, I can't imagine a single person in my country that wouldn't be gross out by this kissing on the lips thing. It's just disgusting in so many levels .
@@Haghenveienthat’s totally different. Kissing on the lips is way too personal.
Right?? What kind of sense does that make?
I kiss on both cheeks, both ass cheeks.
@@HaghenveienI kiss on both cheeks, both ass cheeks.
Her father is a monster who used religion to control and abuse. Please be safe. Thank you for sharing this story.
Spiritual/religious abuse houses so many other categories of abuse under it's "umbrella"!
In any other context, I was thinking, that criminal would be serving decades - if not life - in prison. So much violence is concealed within the "wall of separation" that protects religion from the oversight of the civilized state
Yes, the abusive guys are just looking for the excuse and he ended up raping her of course. That's so often the extra control because he loves the abuse.
@@Iflie He should be locked up
@@nohorasims656 They all should be, but they create these communities where they blame the women. Amish, LDS, all fundamentalist religions, they all blame the victim.
I am afraid to imagine how his narcissist rage was transferred to the other children. This stuff has to stop. We have to stop letting men put themselves above women, children, and other people whom they seem lesser.
Abolish unjust hierarchy in general! But yeah, statistically speaking it's men putting themselves on top.
AMEN!
I’m an X holdermen and new Hannah growing up we knew something had to be going on in that home but had no idea until a few years ago what the truth was ! God Bless you Hannah for bringing this all to light !! I’m sorry for all you went through !! 😢
Hi Ruth! ❤
Hi Hannah I’m so glad your doing ok after all you have been through I’m proud of you for being so brave and getting your story out there ! 😊🤗
So people knew something was wrong but said and did nothing? That's why the culture of abusers getting away with it continues. 🙈🙉🙊
Hannah....your SOOO brave....I'm behind you honey.
@@hannahprosser1004
Hannah,
Thank you for being so generous with yourself and your story. You have touched so many lives in unimaginable ways. You have a bright and beautiful future and I hope you continue to live your best life. You deserve whatever your heart desires and you are clearly brave enough to go out and seek it.
May your life be filled with love and music.
Sincerely,
Bunny
I just cant express how thankful I am that my grandfather left the mennonites, saved me soooo much trouble. I commend you for your choices and admire your strength.
My mother left the Mennonites but brought her oppressive morality with her. When we moved to the big city, I met students who were interested in leftists politics and taught me about human rights. It was such huge breath of fresh air!
@@pirbird14 There was a really interesting Mormon stories interview where the woman was already pretty woke for a Mormon, went on her mission and was partnered with someone who actively called themselves a feminist etc. She left the mission early and the church not much later because of that and them casually explaining to a black man that ol'Joey boy said black people were cursed
i have the exact same sentiment about my grandma
She is so brave! What a smart idea to call for help. I am glad she broke the cycle with her girls and that she has sweet dogs to help her with her PTSD.
Wow, Hannah is such an unusual person. To have the determination at such a young age that "she would NOT be property," and thus would refuse to walk behind her father. It boggles my mind that she would take the beatings that followed without changing her behavior in order to avoid the abuse.
I'm glad she survived. She could have actually been killed for that rebellion. Amazing strength of will.
Exactlly!
The bravery it takes to tell your story cannot be overstated. And to do it to help other people feel not so alone is such a gift.
Thank you ❤
Break the silence. Break the cycle.
They did this to me and I tried to tell
I'm trying this isn't ok
@@ninamontrosse5588 Keep speaking up. The offender may not go to prison but you never know when someone else is in earshot who thinks they’re all alone.
@@ninamontrosse5588 Where are you? How old are you? If you are in the US, so long as you are over 18, you are allowed to leave the situation. It may not be easy but there are resources.
@@ninamontrosse5588 No, it’s not. If you are under 18 and in the US check in with your local CPS.
First victims get abused then not believed and then victim shamed. What a sick world! I admire every woman who speaks up.
That's why people often can't just "move on" from trauma...rational part of the brain might say trust again but the survival brain is ready to treat everyone as a potential perpetrator
@leahflower9924 I think not just purpotrator but rnabler too, the amount of people who know a child is being abused, or see the signs but deliberately choose to not do anything letting the abuse continue is awful.
If a child is brave enough to speak ip amd ask for help, then get let down to suck a painful extent, then of course trusting people would be more diffocult. I also think it has an even worse impact if the adult is supposed to protect the child, or is seen as a reliable leader by the community.
@@NotAnotherKuromiA lot of the time even if you report they will do nothing, I tried to report my mother, they said I didn't have enough to go on to even look into it. When I was a child CPS was called more than once and they always left and did nothing. Sometimes it's just nearly impossible.
How is this amazing young woman not an ax murderer??? My soul hurts so much. I ordered her book. She is one of my newest heroes. Stay brave, sister. You are saving hundreds. ❤️
Less than 30% of those who were abused in childhood go on to abuse others. Most victims grow up to be compassionate people.
@vaska1999 thank you 4 acknowledging this❤
I have seen this over and over. Whenever children or wives are considered property, abuse seems to crop up. I believe it is because that puts those people into the category of Thing as opposed to Human. My father’s mother wrote me out of her will because he didn’t have one and all of his estate (mainly hospital bills) went to me. She stole things from his estate because in her mind, given he was her child, everything he had belonged to her. He was in his fifties when he passed.
This is exactly right. When people are considered property they are dehumanized. People treat animals however they want, and only in extreme cases will people step in and stop it. It’s the same mindset in communities where women are considered property.
That's awful! A similar thing happened to a friend of mine, and it left her in a terrible state from which she never fully recovered, financially and otherwise. It was a horrible situation all around.
I was exposed only to a small amount of physical violence and did not try to get help for that, not even knowing it was wrong because it was called spanking (it was with a wooden spoon).
What I did try to get help with was my sadistic mother tormenting me. I begged to be heard so many times, once I realized it wasn't normal. CPS had come in around the time my sister was hospitalized for an unexplained illness, but they left us there and my mom made my dad stop hitting us, not to keep us safe, but because she didn't want CPS back.
I then became her target. She managed to convince me, my family and the school psychologists that I had a severe intellectual, emotional and mental disabilities. She would do things to me so that I looked like I was unable to cope with the basics and make false reports. Anyway, I was suffering so much and when I asked literally every adult I could for help, they thought I was being negative and confused and they told me to respect her and get ahold of myself. Not one person helped.
I'm writing this because I see that pain of not being believed. I live with PTSD and one of the things that puts me into flashbacks is being around other people who are ignoring each other's needs, like the bus or grocery stores. It gives me major panic attacks and takes me back to not being seen and believed ass a child.
I've been posting in these a lot because my family was isolated. We were not allowed to do normal things. The abuse was covert and hard to see and the damage of just that alienation and difference has been a life long struggle for me. I relate to years of no TV, of being an object, of sibling abuse. I relate to having to deprogram the conditioning of my family unit. I believed that I could not work or do anything on my own for so long, that at 46, I am first learning to drive a car. I was told I couldn't do stuff like that.
Oh my that's just horrible. I'm so sorry that you had to endure such awful emotional and mental abuse. I hope you can continue to heal from that and have a better life.
Emotional abuse...and I would say physical because it affected your overall ability to function. I'm so sorry you experienced that. What happened to your sister? Did your mom try to make people think she was sick, too?
@@maryeckel9682 I think she munchausen'd the first time with my sister, but can't verify. She stopped breathing when I was 6 and she was 4 and there was a lot of attention from it over a 6 month hospital stay.
My mother was sick as a child and wasn't helped, so I think she was starting to develop behaviours to fill that need. She's a smart sadist, though, so CPS coming in around that time taught her immediately not to be obvious.
My mom was legit sick, but instead of seeking appropriate care, from the appropriate people, she blew all that up, too. If someone else was sick, she would break her toe, etc. Attention had to be on her.
She was insane with rage when my Dad had a relatively benign cancer situation later in life. Same goes for any deaths in the family.
Thanks for saying that about physical. It was. She dysregulated my central nervous system on purpose so I would be a wreck and it has been a lifelong journey to learn to self soothe. I couldn't sleep for most of my life and am on meds now for all of that.
She did that all so she could virtue signal caregiving and get sadistic pleasure in me reacting to what she was doing. It was so covert, so she could pretend to care while creating scenarios where I was suffering.
None of this stuff is ok, from cults, to munchausen's or any abuse. Taking over someone's sense of self before they aree self aware and then throwing them into the world to be devoured is just not ok. None of us knew safety. Cults, bad homes, all of it is terrible that childhoods were stolen, self concept was smashed, being sheltered so living in the world is hard....
Oh my dearest person, I'm so so sorry. Abuse is abuse.
I can somewhat relate. 'Spanked' by my parents with leather flogger (made by my grandfather for punishing children), belt, hand, slipper. You know, sure, it's not the worst of the worst but it's absolutely horrible.
They fought each other for hours and then were bringing me in to vouch for either of them. Whichever side I picked (based on arguments), I was left behind to fight the other person on my own.
The things I heard and felt caused my possible Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Bordeline Personality Disorder.
I was told that I won't learn or won't be anything too. I wasn't supposed to pursue things I enjoyed, I was supposed to conform.
You are so eloquent and aware. Don't you stop being you, don't stop going. You are worth so much more than any of that crap that you have been conditioned to believe.
Look up family scapegoat identified patient and Bowens family systems theory you'd be shocked how much of this is projection!
I’m 70 and not from a Mennonite family but so much of her story matches my story. I do get triggered but it’s easier for me to listen than it was for me to do therapy. So I watch your interviews. I am seeing this woman as such a strong woman and I’m proud of her. I was able to chuckle one time as horrible as it is, my father tried to hit me once but he was smallish and not too strong. As a preteen girl, I caught him and told him, no you’re not. I can still only think of bits and pieces of my childhood
I am always amazed at the resilience of people who grow up in this sort of environment, who never really know any different, and are still able to question their world, to come out swinging at the inconsistencies. Just. Wow.
I am always so impressed, amazed, etc., at anyone who is able to speak out against their mistreatment. Stay well, Hannah. Stay well, Shalise.
I wonder if the dad was looking for a close knit strict community to take strict control of his abusive behaviours in actuality. It would be interesting to know where the dude got his abusive behaviours and why her mother got along with it.
This dude belongs in jail. Jailing more people like this would help.
There is a saying, "There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect." My guess is he went church shopping, consciously looking for a group that did not bind him (e.g. professionally, etc.) but bound his victims (e.g. his wife & children). This father is irredeemable.
This one had me in tears. What Hannah went through was literally torture. Criminals who are in prison have more rights than she did! Her father should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The investigation wasn't thorough. I realize that certain evidence was lacking, but they should have done more. I feel like the right to practice any religious beliefs is good, but it also allows people to get away with a lot. Hannah, I wish you continuing healing. I'm so happy to hear that you have a family and are free.
I was raised in California when children were considered property. My alcoholic celebrity Dad wood get caught driving drunk at 2am with me (at 5 years old) and the CHP would laughingly escort him home without a single citation. This happened at least 35 times. I remember bringing home material from a school presentation on Alateen and my Mother yelling at me and ripping it up and forbidding me to mention it to my Father. It never occurred to me to tell anyone about the sexual abuse. Good for you for questioning the situation and breaking free.
Abusive parents find abusive communities that won't stop them from abusing their kids or report them.
I used to work in a hardware store and this Mennonite guy walked in wearing overalls and a straw hat. And no joke said "I've been in here a few times and I think your pretty, you don't look like you wear too much makeup." And I said thanks and he looked me dead in my face and said "Do you like sex?" And I was just like "Are you even allowed to ask me that?!" And he walked away.
But I've never been so shocked in my life.
Oh my goodness 😳 Yikes! Unfortunately when these communities shelter the generations so severely you often get these perverted weirdos completely lacking in social skills.
Thats a real WTF experience
What the fresh hell??
What a shithead. I was once stopped with a, "Hey!" by a random man at a vending machine only for him to ask, "you down for some skull fucking?" I was a minor and this has stuck with me, probably because days later I was raped by a different stranger. Sorry for commenting about something that doesn't have to do with Mennonites but I'm just so very tired of the kind of speech and behavior that insists that women are subhuman sex objects. It's disgusting and horrific.
Should have said bondage, do u want tied up and peed on?
*I wasn't property* you got that right.
Thank you Hannah for telling your story, so evil a life you lived. Your courage in taking that phone and making that call, so glad you had the book to get that number from. All the best for your life in the years to come.
Curious if her her Dad missed his phone...go looking for it? She didn't call until around 1:00 a.m.
@@jeanwerschem3076people aren't always that concerned about their phones. Especially years ago before we did everything on our phones.
I've had Mennonite friends. One of those was beaten mercilessly. He was somewhat broken still at his now advanced age. His life had improved but he still had to be Mennonite. I hope he finally escaped. Love always to Hannah.
It's so cool to see someone talking about the holdeman mennonites. I rarely ever see anyone talking about them
What a strong, inspirational woman. She knew she was her own individual and deserving of personal autonomy from such a young age. Questioning her religion and lack of education was gutsy and a brave act.
She's such a strong person. Even though all the abuse and terror she was NEVER "BROKEN". She just fought and waited her opportunity to get away.
Listening to her talk at the end about how she didn't know basic stuff reminded me of myself. I was very neglected, isolated and had the old school type of parents that believed that kids should be seen and not heard. I didn't know anything about anything and it was always so scary to be asked something that I had no idea about. Like music or movies or tv shows. It's terrible for a child not to be able to speak openly to their parents. I'm so glad Hannah made it out, and I hope she is well
I know...my parents were like that.
@@CajunAdrienne I still haven't had therapy lol. I hope you have
@@robbob1866 Lol
I wish that churches and other groups would value bodily autonomy and teach consent. As a grandmother of an autistic grandchild, I have learned so much about getting consent before a ‘lavish my love’ on my beloved grandson. It was so hard at first, but now that I understand him better, I would never touch him without his consent and he is only two. This conversation on Mennonite kissing has broadened my understanding to “Of course I shouldn’t be touching anyone without their unpressurized consent, regardless of my ‘good intentions’.” Thanks for making me a better person. ❤❤
You're voice is heard, your heart is felt, your soul is seen. Thank you 🙏 ... the true meaning of being a light worker.
Thank you Shalise for taking in those crazy yet relevant stories and thanks for the guests to be vulnerable and open to educate us. I feel so ignorant when it comes to the ugly side of the world. We can't stop the flood of truth, because it will flush away the harms.
I love that in your thumbnails you always see your guest's faces! It's so amazing that even though you are the host of the podcast & channel, you never take the spotlight away from the people you bring on these episodes ❤
What a brave, lovely young woman. That must have been so difficult to tell her story. When I came out of a cult it took a very long time to get over CPTSD and my story is nothing compared to this so I can't imagine the horrendous difficulties she faced. Bright blessings to you both. :)
She still has her light despite the numerous beatings. She's so brave to make that phone call and to share her story that shines a light on her unfortunate terrible childhood.
Her mom seemed to rebel in her own way by taking her kids to the library and allowing them to just READ! Knowledge is power for sure and the people obsessed with controlling others know this.
What a brave woman! The Mennonites originally came from the Netherlands. I am Dutch. Some people here talk about the Mennonites as such a cute little piece of heritage from our country. I had my doubts. Unfortunately I was right. So sorry.
It truly is so impressive to hear people talk about this sort of abuse publicly. It really is helpful to hear, even though what I have experienced is very minor by comparison. It's so complicated when it is family who harm us. This is such a great show! I love the way it centers and respects the survivors, while giving the necessary details about the harm happening to people in these high-demand groups.
I love that she was rebelling from the beginning. Fighting spirit.
The no-courtship juxtaposed with lip kisses for all is really a mind bender for me. Just when I'm thinking oh, yeah, it's so all the men can get kisses, then she says it was only same-gender kisses-- how many corners can my mind bend around? Si now I'm overwhelmed with how tailor made that is for pedophiles, where even in that brief moment of close priximity they can read who would make a likely victim and begin grooming them for longer more private "greetings". Yuck!
My dad grew up very conservative Mennonite, and he talks about how some of the older men in his church and in other congregations practiced the holy kiss. And how he got roped into it sometimes even though it repulsed him.
And he said everyone knew there were certain men to try to avoid because their kiss was less holy and more lingering than others. 🤮
@@pollsfriend *shudder*
🤮 that's sickening
For women, it’s just a quick light kiss on the lips. I’ve never experienced a “lingering” kiss. No purse in the lips at all.
@@savvygood Out here, a person can say "sorry, I don't shake hands" and be thought merely a little odd, but life goes on... I wonder, if a little Mennonite girl spoke up saying she didn't do "quick, light, no purse kisses" would she be considered just a little odd, or would she mark herself as someone requiring "discipline"? Perhaps various-sized sticks would be used on her instead of dry lips?
I grew up pentecostal... The worst that you could do is to question!! You would be considered a troublemaker!!
As someone who is still stuck in the holdeman mennonite cult(and is planning to leave as soon as possible), it's changed a lot in the past idk, 10 years I guess.
The woman are allowed to wear store bought dresses, but they have to meet the modesty standards like having to cover your knees whether standing or sitting, not having too big of a neckline, etc
They can wear short sleeved dresses, the sleeves are like regular t-shirt sleeve length, but for church or any kind of deal they have at church, they would have to be long sleeves. They still have to wear black shoes to church.
The men i don't think have changed much, except for they are allowed to wear shirts with like designs on them for everyday.
There's still no music, no jewelry, no tv, none of those things
It's honestly really gross how they can just get away with stuff
I left 8 years ago. You can totally do it! It's hell at first, but after a few years, you will find your way and place in the world
I promise, it's 💯 worth it! I will never never go back.
Watching the trauma cross her face is very painful especially when she talks about her escape. I cried for her but admire greatly her daring escape and her survival.
So PROUD of her!!! That is SO DIFFICULT to leave and not to try to protect your abusers.
Her dad was an actual doctor and did this?!? He was mandated by his profession to report suspected abuse yet treated his daughter and family this way. WTF???
Yes. And he is still a doctor. He used to work in E.R.s but has been working out of the back of the same house where I was locked in for a long time now. He also does house calls.
@@hannahprosser1004WOW!
@hannahprosser1004 so sorry to hear you went through all you did and everyone around you thought it was normal. I live right near Lancaster County PA and know lots of horrible things that happen in the Amish community here.
I had a psychologist explain to me that SA is an addiction. These evil people are addicted. And if you have ever known an addict, they don’t stop, not ever.
Jesus said ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40
Though I didn’t grow up in a cult, the army was my fathers cult.
He took great pleasure in abusing us so he could and would have control of our family.
I was treated worse because I also asked questions such as “why does the man always have to come first?”
His response was never kind and he was always going after me for even dropping my head when he spoke to me. I fell into active addiction and almost killed myself over his denial of love for me. I continue to recover everyday from my abuses and addiction.
Men are the head of the household. That's one reason in your words "they come first."
Muy conveniente para usted su pensamiento, caballero. Muy conveniente
My family is originally from the same part of Kentucky. I had no idea this was going on there. I’m so proud of you for standing up for yourself Hannah!
Compelling story and brave woman to go through all that and survive and thrive, in spite of the PTSD
I’m appalled this monster isn’t in jail! This makes me sick to my stomach…literally….I feel like I’m going to vomit. You Hannah are a very strong person and I wish you the best. However, I was so hoping this would have ended with you saying your father was in prison for the rest of his life!
Hannah, sale those bags!!! I would 100% buy one❤. You are amazing and strong. Thank you for sharing your story.
I just found your channel. It’s amazing! I’ve only watched a couple videos but they are so fascinating. I didn’t grow up in any religious settlement or community but I am a survivor of child SA and these women are incredible! They are so strong and brave, I could not imagine growing up in these situations
Hannah, your positivity, bravery, and strength are all so inspirational and give us hope that we can not only survive our pasts, but also thrive in creating our new life for ourselves.
Good for you for never giving up in continually asking questions.
Thank you for speaking up.
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Hannah, I’m very proud of you! I’m also an ex Holdeman and have not suffered abuse, but could relate with many other aspects of your story, such as being inquisitive about why we had to do certain things, and then getting push back for even trying to understand why. I’ve been out for many years and have found such a freedom in living for Christ without all the extra rules to wade through. Yes those first years are hard learning to integrate into society but isn’t it so worth it to be true to yourself and to what you believe in?! Stay strong my friend. You are not alone! ❤
I’m 6 foot 5, 290 lbs and I used to be a boxer. I so wish I could have had maybe an hour with her father!!!!!! He would have begged to expire!
Have yet to listen to this episode but soooo excited to see it… thank you for shedding light on these circles… I grew up Mennonite and the more I walk away from that kind of lifestyle the more I see just how culty it was and not very many ppl are talking about it and just see them as “good” people. I know soooooo many stories of abuse being shoved under the rug and it seems so prevalent in these circles…. Thank you for giving these victims a voice!
Thank you for standing up and being such a strong and unbreakable woman Hannah. I'm so proud of you for getting out. Sending love to you and I hope you live the rest of your life in peace. 💜
Sitting here in Germany on a sunny Sunday morning, it's hard to hear such sad Storys. My heard goes out to those brave women. I wish them all the very best for their future live. ❤
I found this channel a few days ago now I'm hooked!
Hearing these stories is heartbreaking 😢 It makes me realize how lucky I was to grow up the way I did. I can't imagine the hell these poor children endure each day. I pray they are healing & happy today.
Hi! Welcome to C2C! ❤️
Hannah, I'm glad you found the strength and courage to escape the horror of what you had to endure, I hope and pray that there are people to help those left behind and are going through the horror's and nightmares no one should have to endure. Thank you for sharing your story.
Oh wow, I grew up Dunkard Brethren (similar to Mennonite) and we did the holy kiss thing. Ugh, I hated it! I never understood why it had to be directly on the lips.
I could relate to her story so much.
Hannah, you should be so proud of yourself, all you have achieved, and over come. You are an astonishing human being. Thank you for sharing your story.
I am reading Hannah's book now and woah, it is heavy (I'm only half way through.). I cannot imagine everything you had to go to. And for you to continue to fight and fight and fight for the right to be your own person. Thank you for sharing your story. I will never understand how anyone can treat another human being the way you were treated. Not only by Ahaz but also the way you were treated by your mother and siblings.
WE HEAR YOU NOW AND WE BELIEVE YOU! Peace to you on your journey, keep going ❤
These last several interviews have been very enlightening, I never knew that there were so many variation's of Amish/Mennonite denominations. Hannah's story is difficult, I'm so glad she's out and doing well.
Im sorry you were hurt by those you trusted . How strong you are to still find joy and be able to share your life. Thank you for being so brave. Its so wonderful u escaped.
Hannah, thank you for sharing. I deal with trauma everyday too. I also have autism, which can be confused with PTSD. In fact they have a high comorbidity rate. The fact that you (Hannah) ask a lot of questions in childhood along with being an outsider makes me think you may be too. I hate putting labels on myself but me knowing this has helped me a lot. Others pick up on my oddities and I have been bullied and othered a lot but knowing why helped me cope. I also am nicer to myself because this is a full blown disability and sometimes it takes me longer to do the things I need too and I have to take breaks. It’s like missing an arm but everyone thinks you have an arm, ya know.
I wish you the best and I sincerely hope my comment is taken the right way. Sending love and good vibes. You are not alone ❤
Hi! I've never been tested but I also suspect that I'm on the spectrum. I always feel like I don't quite belong and other people don't seem to think in the same ways I do- except for those with a touch of 'tism! My closest friends are all diagnosed and I just assume I'm one of them too! 😂
I'm so sorry for what you've been through ❤
30:11 “the girl couldn’t hardly sit down” Gave me flashbacks to my upbringing in a Beachy Amish household. I used to get beat until I could barely walk, with whatever my dad could get his hands on, trying to “break my spirit”… freakin monsters!
As usual, Shelise, your interviewing skills are on point! Hannah, i am so proud of you for continuing to question through unspeakable abuse and for speaking out and writing about this. Your story will help so many people. I just bought your book.
Thank you so much! And thanks for supporting Hannah!❤️
I normally don't comment on videos. But your interview really touched me. You were so brave to share your story. I will definitely be buying your book.
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❤ Thank you for watching it
Hannah, thank you for sharing parts of your story with us. I am so sorry.
This poor girl! My heart breaks for how she suffered. 😢 Such cruelty! Please live the absolute best life you can.
As a survivor of many different types of abuse as you, I also have CPTSD and I want you to know it gets better, we know there is no cure but it definitely gets better. Keep putting the effort and going to therapy, one day you'll wake up and it will be better.
Could you write about your abuse and do public interviews?
I am so sorry, Hannah, that you went through all of the horror. I am also incredibly happy to hear that you are doing better now! I hope future brings many great things and healing towards you ❤
Hannah could do very well on the craft show and Renaissance fair circuit with her leather goods. I’m so glad she kept fighting even when she thought she was weak. True courage and bravery is when you push forward not knowing what will happen. Hannah is so strong. She refused to let her father break her. That’s just one piece in her success story. Sending positive thoughts to Hannah for more healing.
What an amazingly brave woman she is! Thank you for sharing your story! And I DEFINITELY want to be kept in the loop if she decides to sell her purses!
This one was rough, but the fact she can speak on all this today, call it out, help others, and surmount all the difficulties... Hats off.
I really admire her. What a strong and intelligent woman. I know what PTSD can do to you. I know that it takes a lot of strength and energy to cope and function and be the nice woman that she is.
I appreciate Hannah sharing her story to educate and help others. #knowledgeispower 💗
This women is so strong! This horrible experience and she still has a beautiful smile!❤❤❤
It's so true that these adverse events we experience in childhood stay with us for the rest of our lives. Even in moments of joy there is still this sadness and darkness lurking just below the surface just waiting to be triggered. I really connected with her story in that way and am so glad she finally escaped and has been able to find joy in her own children and pets and hobbies. I hope she continues to find the best life has to offer and she is so incredibly brave and giving of herself to share her story so others don't have to feel alone.
Much love to Hannah. She is a smart, strong woman and I'm so sorry she went through this.
Thanks for your support ❤️
Hannah, you have an indomitable spirit. I am so moved and inspired! I wish you happiness and ongoing healing.
There are just so many warped people out there who will find any excuse to be cruel to others. It makes me sick to my stomach to hear what you've been through. Thank you for having the strength to share and help others. My dad wasn't around much when i was growing up, but , omfg. No. What you both endured? And so many others? I just can't
My dad did eventually say that he hadn't been a good father to me, to which I responded "You didn't hit me, you didn't abuse me, that'll do". He was dying and I think it was still a part of the manipulation, but I made peace with him. He wasn't a bad man
Woohoo! To both of you for finding your own paths. I'm glad it's taken the form of helping others through your trauma 💜💜💜
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I honor your courage to tell your story, and I'm so very sorry for all the abuse you suffered.
You should do a part two, focusing on her life since her rescue.
Thank you for sharing your life experience with us Hannah!! You’re so much more than a victim… you’re an inspiration, you’re a survivor and you’re an amazing, strong, beautiful woman who is going to make this world a better place just by being in it!!
I’m always amazed at people who want to be controlled as ADULTS. I can’t imagine as an adult asking for permission for a cell phone. F that nonsense. Then to inflict that onto children to try and make them weak minded and also controllable. I just don’t get it. I’m so amazed at her strength and courage to fight for her right to her life!!!! Way to go!!!! 🎉❤
So glad that you are able to nurture yourself. Be proud that you are breaking the chain of generational abuse.
This story really resonated with me especially that she copes with trauma with leatherwork, I do to! It’s so soothing.
Hey that's awesome! Leatherwork is definitely soothing 🥰
I’m sorry for what you went through. I believe you. May God bless you. I was raised in the Holdeman Mennonite church. I know hundreds of people. I have never known a story like yours. I was so loved by my parents, and I was a stinker !! I went to high school. I even got kicked out of high school 2 times. My parents were nothing but kind. Told me to try not to get in trouble, but they loved me unconditionally, always. I’m a very happy person, and I would never put up with abuse. I’m am happy you got away from your father. ❤
Thank you for not invalidating her experience because you had a positive one ❤️
Hannah, you held true to your authentic self amazingly. You were so brave. I admire you.
What a beautiful, strong, smart, brave, light spirit. God bless, Hannah. Keep your head up, girl-You Are Amazing.
I would like to send Hannah some polite words of personal encouragement. It takes courage to survive the amount of abuse you have. Go forward and be outstanding! Best wishes.
Thank you so much for sharing your story! It’s comforting knowing others are working through those daily challenges of living life “after”. ❤
My mom nearly joined the Mennonites, and was enamored of the Amish as well. Instead she joined a Catholic Cult, a spinoff of the ordinary Catholic church, in which she was able to inflict many Mennonite/Amish ideals, mind control, and discipline on herself and her family. Stories like yours smash the horrible, gaudy bubble of mythical sweetness people like my mom hold the Mennonites to be. Not surprisingly the SSPX Catholic cult I was raised in turned out to be full of physical, spiritual, sexual, and emotional abuse. They always promise so much protection and purity, and it always goes, so so badly. The way these communities enable men like your father is all too common and horrifying. May you find all love and healing, and triumph in the fact that he did NOT break you and does not possess you. Your strength is amazing, I pray that now your life is flooded with joy and triumph.
I'm Catholic , but never really was a religious person.
Hannah, you are a true survivor and warrior❤💪 I am so grateful that Hotline phone number was in your book and you saw that cellphone! That was no mistake! Shine brightly girl, you made it!!!!❤
I live in Phoenix very close to a Mennonite community (near Sunnyslope). Our local Mennonites typically the men were black, and some of them have side curls. You see some women without head covering, and some women fully covering your hair. They do not drive they take public transportation or walk. And they also don’t speak English as their first language I’ve noticed when I tried to speak to some of the ladies at the bus stop they don’t speak English to me if they even acknowledge me.❤ after moving to this area of Phoenix I asked a coworker about the Amish in my community and they told me they’re not Amish they’re Mennonites, and they actually settled Sunnyslope and you live right down the street from there. That’s why you still see so many over in area. He was actually from a midnight family, and his last name was Zins, but he was disowned.
Try being properly English in manner and culture when you speak to Mennonites. As a culture from socialist Central Committee to ultra fundamentalists like these sects, Mennonites revere the British and will open up when being spoken with respect and dignity. It has even been noted that it will get some fence sitting abusers to stop.
Having said that, psychopathic abusers are simply seeking a victim/scape goat and will single out a random kid. This occurs in all human clusters and cultures with abusive psychopathic parents of course.
Hannah -writing about ur story, being brave/ resilient and strong to overcome your obstacles. 👍🤗👊