Yunker wrote:
I haven't heard a lot on all the abuse in PNG or that NTM is doing much about it. How many of you are still wanting to see action taken in these cases?
Also, what about all the emotional abuse, do you think NTM will ever deal with that and not just sexual?
Yunker, this PNG section of Fanda Eagles was very active several years ago, and as I read the posts from PNG MKs (including yourself) I was horrified to learn of decades of abuse of all kinds that went on there: not only sexual, but physical, emotional and spiritual as well.
NTM has said that IHART will eventually get around to investigating the reports of abuse in several additional countries, including PNG.
If the IHART investigations yield the same type of thorough report that GRACE produced on the NTM school in Fanda, then I would expect they would include all types of abuse in their report, and in their recommendations for the consequences of the abuse that occurred.
I personally am not enthused about IHART initiating any further investigations until they can show us exactly how one of their investigations will play out, from start to finish, and we can see the evidence of what will actually be produced in the end.
If a final report is publicly released that includes specific and detailed information about all types of abuse that happened to MKs, if perpetrators of abuse are named, if harsh penalties for the abuse are spelled out, and if NTM follows through on doling out those consequences to its present, former, and even deceased members, then those who have been abused might feel some justice has been achieved, and this might lead to some recovery and healing.
You are right in pointing out that emotional abuse is also abuse, and it can have lifelong effects on both children and adults.
Do I expect the IHART investigations to yield the type of truthful and specific report and recommendations that GRACE's investigation produced?
Sadly, I do not.
That is why I have not been pushing for further investigations by IHART. Of PNG, where you lived. Or of the Philippines, where I lived.
But I am not ready to walk away from the struggle yet, because maybe the end result is going to be better than I anticipate.
If MKs, their parents, families, supporters and friends end up being disappointed in the final result of the IHART investigations of East Brazil, Bolivia and Panama, then we can come back to your questions:
"How many of you are still wanting to see action taken in these cases?
Also, what about all the emotional abuse, do you think NTM will ever deal with that and not just sexual?"
I don't believe we've run completely out of options just yet.