TMZ is reporting that all the molestation documents at the police station are to be destroyed after one of the victims asked for identity protection.
I'm doubtful this is legal. The police report was just filed, and the department likely falls under the state's records retention policy, which are usually FOIA-regulated. So they'd have to wait at minimum 3 years to destroy anything.
You know, I've been typing and deleting because I don't know how to react.
I feel so many feelings for those girls and what they've gone through and what they'll continue to go through because of all of this.
This same situation happened to me, minus the 16 kids, and the fundie beliefs. I'm cringing at the fact that some of you think it would be impossible to forgive an abuser. I know I'm completely projecting my situation but I'm curious to hear your opinions on this:
- Take away the Duggar stigma
- Take away their fundie beliefs
What are you opinions of forgiving an abuser?
Having a some-what health relationship with an abuser?
I'm sorry for what you went through, but it's definitely not cringe worthy to be unable to forgive an abuser. I think it would be extremely difficult (if not impossible) for most people to have a healthy relationship with someone who sexually abused them.
mofongo, she is saying that she forgave her abuser and it's making her cringe that several people have voiced that it would be impossible to do so.
TMZ is reporting that all the molestation documents at the police station are to be destroyed after one of the victims asked for identity protection.
I'm doubtful this is legal. The police report was just filed, and the department likely falls under the state's records retention policy, which are usually FOIA-regulated. So they'd have to wait at minimum 3 years to destroy anything.
I'm doubtful this is legal. The police report was just filed, and the department likely falls under the state's records retention policy, which are usually FOIA-regulated. So they'd have to wait at minimum 3 years to destroy anything.
The police report is 10+ years old.
Hm. Okay, I'm confused - the doc linked in the article is dated from this month and has the police department letterhead. What is that doc?
Hm. Okay, I'm confused - the doc linked in the article is dated from this month and has the police department letterhead. What is that doc?
I was confused by this too - but I think the doc is the report the police provided In Touch based upon their FOIA request, and that's why it's dated recently. The 2006 stuff is the report tied to the investigation.
Hm. Okay, I'm confused - the doc linked in the article is dated from this month and has the police department letterhead. What is that doc?
I think the date at the top from two days ago is just the day it was printed. The report date is December of 2006.
I am dumb. Thanks for clarifying and pay no attention to the shostakovich behind the curtain!
also - this means that, at least as I understand FOIA and records-retention policies, it's perfectly legal for the police department to destroy those records
I think the date at the top from two days ago is just the day it was printed. The report date is December of 2006.
I am dumb. Thanks for clarifying and pay no attention to the shostakovich behind the curtain!
also - this means that, at least as I understand FOIA and records-retention policies, it's perfectly legal for the police department to destroy those records
Didn't take long for one of those girls to request destruction. Sad.
Post by shostakovich on May 21, 2015 16:40:15 GMT -5
So one of our interns knows a lot about this show (obsessed roommate apparently) and says there is a book written by the three oldest girls where they talk about having eating disorders? I just... my heart breaks thinking of everything they've had to put up with in this bullshit family.
This whole thing is disgusting. I think parts of the Duggar's beliefs are that women are temptresses and it is a woman's job to make sure she does not stir up desires in men. Women are responsible for dressing modestly because men cannot control their own hormones/desires/actions. Following this idea, the girls were probably deemed responsible for the abuse and blamed for it. Thus, they probably 'forgave' Josh because they were deemed culpable for his actions. It's gross.
You're 100% right here. I was taught this in my evangelical church that is no where near as fundie as what the Duggars believe.
Men can't be helped and it was up to us to prevent a man from "stumbling." I had someone give me that speech when I was 18. It was one of the most embarrassing and upsetting moments I had in that church, and let me tell you, there were a lot.
Post by lyssbobiss, Command, B613 on May 21, 2015 16:57:58 GMT -5
It depends on your definition of "forgiveness," I suppose. After I was assaulted I saw a Christian therapist who also preached and preached forgiveness and try as I might, I couldn't get to that place, so I had to experience of being traumatized and then the experience of feeling terrible for not being good enough to forgive the motherfucker. And it wasn't until I was several years older and took a trauma seminar in grad school that I realized I didn't have to really forgive him and think he was a good person, I didn't have to believe that he had morals or was even deserving of good things in life. I had to learn that we would coexist on this planet for life, and I could continue to give him power by being traumatized over and over again or I could accept that what happened was woven into the fabric of who I was, that I was never going to be the same again, and that I would still be okay. But I wasn't obligated to love him or like him or even speak to him. The deal with the Duggars is, I would bet that forgiveness would be just writing off his behavior as a boy being overcome with desire and not being able to help himself, and they had to still see him every day and love him and support him. How sick. Michelle has talked about how she feels that she caused her male neighbors to sin by wearing skimpy clothes in front of them. Because they apparently wanted her. That's sick. She blames herself for a man lusting after her and that's the kind of fucked up mentality that she's teaching her girls. And her boys. And that kind of forgiveness, that kind of "I caused this somehow by being inherently female and Josh is still super great but led astray for a minute by my boobs and the devil" - no one should have to practice that kind of forgiveness.
"This prick is asking for someone here to bring him to task Somebody give me some dirt on this vacuous mass so we can at last unmask him I'll pull the trigger on it, someone load the gun and cock it While we were all watching, he got Washington in his pocket."
I was just coming to post this. He pretty much says he did it all:
The Duggars Respond to Reports That Josh Duggar Was Accused of Child Molestation
by Charlotte Triggs AND Alicia C. Dennis In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Josh Duggar, his wife Anna, and his parents Jim Bob and Michelle are speaking out in response to reports that Josh was once accused of molesting five underage girls as a teen.
"Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends," Josh, 27, tells PEOPLE in a statement. "I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life."
Josh has resigned from his position at the Family Research Council as a result of the accusations becoming public, but his family has stood behind him.
"Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives," Jim Bob, 49, and Michelle, 48, said in a joint statement. "When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes, and we were shocked. We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before."
Their statement continues, "Even though we would never choose to go through something so terrible, each one of our family members drew closer to God. We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family. We have challenges and struggles everyday. It is one of the reasons we treasure our faith so much because God's kindness and goodness and forgiveness are extended to us – even though we are so undeserving. We hope somehow the story of our journey – the good times and the difficult times – cause you to see the kindness of God and learn that He can bring you through anything."
And Josh's wife Anna, 26, says she has remained supportive of her husband – even after he confessed his "past teenage mistakes" two years before he proposed marriage.
"I can imagine the shock many of you are going through reading this. I remember feeling that same shock," she says. "When my family and I first visited the Duggar home, Josh shared his past teenage mistakes. I was surprised at his openness and humility and at the same time didn't know why he was sharing it. For Josh, he wanted not just me but my parents to know who he really was – even every difficult past mistakes."
But Anna said she had confidence that the counseling her husband received "changed his life."
"He continued to do what he was taught. who Josh really is – someone who had gone down a wrong path and had humbled himself before God and those whom he had offended," she says. "Someone who had received the help needed to change the direction of his life and do what is right."
And for his part, Josh says he continues living with regret.
"I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions," says Josh. "I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God's grace, mercy and redemption."
Post by sofamonkey on May 21, 2015 17:10:37 GMT -5
I mean, I guess I'm glad that he didn't deny things. I don't really see how TLC can keep them on at this point. I truly don't. I also don't see how people can continue to stand behind them. Ugh. People will still find a way though. :/
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I've always found it extremely creepy that Josh's wife Anna looks like she could be one of his sisters. This makes it even creepier that he married a woman who looked so similar to his mother and sisters. Before I figured it was just a part of the limited gene pool within a close knit fundie community but now...