What did you think?
I am glad Weston got the money he did. It is the only way to punish the church. I think the statement by the conference is complete crap. If the safety of the children was as sacred as they make it out to be this would have been put to rest long ago and the church would admit to Nelson's wrongdoings. They are not concerned about the victims in this case.
CORRECTION: In this story, I wrote that the statute of limitations prevents criminal prosecution of sex abuse crimes committed in the 1980s. In fact, in California, child molestors can be prosecuted for abuse that occurred in 1988 or after. I apologize for the mistake. Thanks for reading.
The priests and other employees of
the church/church related businesses
need to be register as sex offenders if they abused children.
If we were abused by a teacher at MBA is there really a way to access free counseling? Or is the counseling just provided by Seventh-day Adventist counselors?
I can't even begin to tell you how much I have spent on therapy!
A note from Michael Weston-
I feel I have to let you all know how deeply grateful I am with the response and heartfelt understanding you have shown here. Thanks will never really tell the story. All have given validity and recognition to our silent efforts. Changes must take place..a new generation awaits our vigilance. Suffering in silence is like a form of slow suicide..
Any of you that are suffering as I have, please know that you are no longer going to be disregarded,ignored,disrespected,villified, or brushed off. Please come forward with your pain. Let it end.
2 years ago I HAD TO TELL MY STORY. I now have a restored life, and new hope for the future knowing that support is there. As the last of the 5 litigants to settle, with contingencies...They have shown me changes (on paper) in policy for the schools and for employees within the churches.
?Is there really access to free counseling?- I know how you feel...even the thought of sharing such intimate discussion with a member of the church, for me, was unthinkable, not rational...not safe. We who have been violated this way understand with clarity, how unproductive, absolutely irresponsible and impossible it would be to create an environment of trust and protection within the SDA circle. Unless…???Help me someone please?! Is it possible?
I pray that there are those within the institution that may wield the sword of justice and continue the fight to implement responsible and realistic goals to help the ?hundreds?thousands?of victims hiding deep within the pain of abuse. I appeal to the leadership to make good the promises of ethical treatment of victims---in the spirit of truth and compassion. Is there a difference in price between a non-denominational therapist specializing in sexual trauma/disorders and an SDA "family” counselor? Are you a responsible SDA counselor, qualified to help? Contact the CCC of SDA's.
Dr. Robert Lark in Downey California, (562)706-5516, drbob@sexrecovery.com, is a specialist who has responsible resources available for this very issue. He has responsibly given me the support necessary to stay the course through the incredible pain of this case. He is not affiliated with any religious corporation.
SNAP Western Regional Director Mary Grant – mgrantsnap@earthlink has raised awareness across the country and provided support. Thank you Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, for your fighting spirit to make change and unswerving support for victims. Thank you Mary and Steve!!
SNAP is a 15-year-old, 5000-member, Chicago-based independent and confidential self-help group with 60 chapters across the country.
Thank you Joseph Scully, for investigating and believing an impossible, (yet true) story starting May 7th 2002. You are a man of integrity, principle and strength.
The 4 other brave men that took a stand to make the truth be known are my brothers for life. Thank you for your integrity and toughness to walk this path. You are some of the
(continued)The 4 other brave men that took a stand to make the truth be known are my brothers for life. Thank you for your integrity and toughness to walk this path. You are some of the few out of thousands of victims that have truly taken a stand to make a difference. You guys are the best-good luck.
I must thank my earthly and heavenly family for your love and support. I still love you God.
I appeal to all victims of abuse to trust in someone to help you begin the ending of your pain!!
May these changes in policy and awareness provide healing for many and safety for all.
Sincerely and hopefully,
Michael Weston
.
I must give attention to those tragic cases that will never be told..those who have taken their own lives, or died from overdosing on drugs/alcohol.
There are those that will lie to themselves as a protection against the buried shame of a disgusting reality..or just don't have the strength...It's ok we all understand. May you find peace. We love you.
There are dozens of victims and witnesses among students that attended MBA that DID TELL THEIR STORIES in this case. I hope there will be appropriate attention given to these individuals. Thank you all for making a huge step for humanity.
May you also continue to heal.
To the idiot at KLSX, how do you know Michael Weston? If he's such a liar, how come so many others have come forward? And such aggression in your tone? Where's that coming from?
Free speach? You should be fired!
Lies? Good Name?? What good name are you talking about the guy that killed himself or the guy who layed out naked with boys for 30 yrs??
I am a fan of the real TOM LEYKIS and that post is definatley not the Tom I know..He wouldn't care one way or the other..Weston isn't the fag it's the men that raped the kid. Whoever really posted claiming to be Tom is probably a child molesting Homosexual.
I attendend MBA from 1985 to 1989. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were ALWAYS wonderful to me. I remember there Christ like kindness indeliably. Lowell Nelson made a special effort to ensure that I was not alienated, coming to campus a young black lost kid in a sea of primariy, white, asian and latino students, which was extremely intimidating. After years of social leprosy, when I was blessed to meet a girl who be my girlfriend, he counseled me on what was appropriate. He never was out of line. My condolences to the Nelsons for this scandal. Mr. Nelson was the only person on campus, who as a biology teacher, frankly discussed sexual matters. I think him for that, because the campus needed such a person. Frank discussion of sex with faculty is a difficult thing to approach on such a campus, and he took the sting out. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, may God bless you and keep you both.
(In the previous comment, Christ like kindness)THIER.
I had heard rumors that Mr. Wittlake was homosexual. I had heard rumors that he had been involved with some students, and beer and pot was mentioned as well. However, just like the Nelsons, Mr. Wittlake was ALWAYS very kind to me as well. Homosexuality is not a crime, nor immoral to me, so I disregarded this accusation. The other accusations I could not confirm. I just regret that he was so troubled that he ended his life. Contrary to popular belief, suicide is not confession. In Adventist circles, accusations like this can be ruinous, and fatal to one's career, family life, and social life in general. I see this as a time for all who knew him to consider how we could have helped him, or perhaps others like him, that is, helped him to live rather than choose to die.
There are so many things that I would like to say in regards to the above message from "Tom"... but I will simply say this. There are many people in this world that are simply unhappy in general. Those people thrive on others and their unfortunate situations... to feed their unhealthy character. Initially... it would be easy to snap back at "Tom" I say things that would bring myself down to his level. Whether it was REALLY "Tom" or not... it honestly doesn't matter. What does matter is that Mr. Weston was able to come forth... after going through years of the incredible weight on his shoulders. Not only has he stood up for himself... but by him standing tall... others, that have gone through the exact same situations... NOW feel like thay are not alone and that it IS ok to come forth as well. It is extremely tough to ignore someone's unkind words when they are directed soley to an indvidual. From what I have gathered and understood... Mr. Westin has a strong character and personality... to have the ablity to tone people like "Tom" completely out. I feel sorry for someone that feels the need to cut down and degrade someone... just for the sake of causing an indivual more hurt and pain than he has already gone through. Bottom line... there are some people that need to be ignored. "Tom" is ONE of those people. Stay strong Mr. Westin... you have done the right thing in coming forth... try to ignore the many unhealthy people out there that will try to bring you down. Stay strong...
By the way... just to put everybody back in focus... here is what Michael had written...
A note from Michael Weston-
I feel I have to let you all know how deeply grateful I am with the response and heartfelt understanding you have shown here. Thanks will never really tell the story. All have given validity and recognition to our silent efforts. Changes must take place..a new generation awaits our vigilance. Suffering in silence is like a form of slow suicide..
Any of you that are suffering as I have, please know that you are no longer going to be disregarded,ignored,disrespected,villified, or brushed off. Please come forward with your pain. Let it end.
2 years ago I HAD TO TELL MY STORY. I now have a restored life, and new hope for the future knowing that support is there. As the last of the 5 litigants to settle, with contingencies...They have shown me changes (on paper) in policy for the schools and for employees within the churches.
?Is there really access to free counseling?- I know how you feel...even the thought of sharing such intimate discussion with a member of the church, for me, was unthinkable, not rational...not safe. We who have been violated this way understand with clarity, how unproductive, absolutely irresponsible and impossible it would be to create an environment of trust and protection within the SDA circle. Unless…???Help me someone please?! Is it possible?
I pray that there are those within the institution that may wield the sword of justice and continue the fight to implement responsible and realistic goals to help the ?hundreds?thousands?of victims hiding deep within the pain of abuse. I appeal to the leadership to make good the promises of ethical treatment of victims---in the spirit of truth and compassion. Is there a difference in price between a non-denominational therapist specializing in sexual trauma/disorders and an SDA "family” counselor? Are you a responsible SDA counselor, qualified to help? Contact the CCC of SDA's.
Dr. Robert Lark in Downey California, (562)706-5516, drbob@sexrecovery.com, is a specialist who has responsible resources available for this very issue. He has responsibly given me the support necessary to stay the course through the incredible pain of this case. He is not affiliated with any religious corporation.
SNAP Western Regional Director Mary Grant – mgrantsnap@earthlink has raised awareness across the country and provided support. Thank you Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, for your fighting spirit to make change and unswerving support for victims. Thank you Mary and Steve!!
SNAP is a 15-year-old, 5000-member, Chicago-based independent and confidential self-help group with 60 chapters across the country.
Thank you Joseph Scully, for investigating and believing an impossible, (yet true) story starting May 7th 2002. You are a man of integrity, principle and strength.
The 4 other brave men that took a stand to make the truth be known are my brothers for life. Thank you for your integrity and toughness to walk this path. You are some of the
It is good to hear such a spirit of grace. I wish more people were as slow to judge as you are. We are so quick to destroy people's lives without much thought or compassion. My heart breaks for the families of both these men - and for the men themselves. It is a terrible situation without many positive solutions. I wish I didn't have first-hand knowledge of Mr Wittlakes's offences but I do. And I also remember that is was common knowledge that Mr. Nelson sunbathed in the nude, etc. At the very least both men were highly innappropriate with multiple kids and should have been removed from their positions for the best of all involved. I'm not sure what the gracious answer is for dealing with men who have committed such crimes. So far, there doesn't seem to be much out there to cure pediphiles. I do believe they should be seperated from other potential victims but I don't believe they are unforgivable. I believe grace is when forgivenes is extended to the unforgivable. But, forgivenes does not equal permission. So how do we extend grace to pediphiles without allowing them to continue to harm? And how do we give years lost (or lives lost) back to their victims? I imagine that people who commit such crimes even sicken themselves. Who knows what has lead them to such actions or how many times they've tried silently to change. It is such a sad disaster. Certainly, ignoring the problem doesn't help either the victims or the criminals. I can hear the healing taking place when I read the postings from the victims. Knowing they aren't alone and that they are still valuable. They needed defenders back then - I remember. But they were betrayed by the silence of their protectors.
The previous message was in regard to earlier comments by Robert Williams.
To Michael,
I know that money won't make you feel better about what happened to you, but if that is the only way to make the school and church change the way they handle these situations- then they should just hand you their whole damn checkbook. You should be commended for having the courage to bring this situation out in the open, instead of hiding and therefore perpetuating the cycle of sexual violence for countless other young men.
I left a two response message in the other discussion link concerning the aforementioned faculty. Nothing significant.
"Thank you for coming to us with your concerns about Lowell Nelson. Your concerns about sexual abuse and its effects on children and youth are absolutely valid. We share your concerns and could not ethically hire someone suspected of such activities.
Lowell Nelson is NOT employed at Weimar College, nor has he ever been employed by Weimar Institute of Health and Education. There are no plans to hire him now or in the future.
I do not know where Spectrum magazine received its erroneous information about Mr. Nelson being employed here. Perhaps the confusion comes from the fact that several years ago someone by the last name of Nelson was employed
at Weimar. This person was not Lowell Nelson, and as far as I know there is no connection between them. Spectrum evidently did not research this sufficiently. But rest assured that that Lowell Nelson has NO connection
with Weimar Institute.
Thank you again for coming directly to us with your concerns and getting the facts straight.
Journey in Christ's Joy!
Shenalyn Page
Director, Education Marketing
Weimar College & Academy
Below is copied from Walla Walla College's Alumni Website "Westwind" from Fall of 2000. Lowell Nelson is the class of 60. Hmmm, who do we believe? And what is Weimar Institute trying to hide? May God have mercy on him if there are more abused souls at this school too.
"Lowell Nelson ’60 is living with his wife Arladell (Bond) fac. in Cool, Calif., where they are both retired. They met at WWC where Lowell took voice lessons from Arladell. During their tenure at Monterey Bay Academy, Arladell’s choir, The Ocean-aires, was the only high school choir in the United States invited to sing in the Easter Chorale Spectacular in Sydney, Australia. Lowell currently teaches college anatomy and physiology at the Weimar Institute, while Arladell directs the church choir at the Auburn SDA church."
This is a recent email from Uncle Lowell thanking his supporters.
"Praise God! The nightmare seems to be over. The charges against Arladell for supplying drugs and alcohol to minors and the sexual abuse charges against me have been dropped. We do not have to pay one cent! The charges that were put forth against us were unreal. We all know that Arladell would never ever have given anyone drugs or alcohol and the charges against me were made by individuals that I hardly knew or had not even met at the time they say they had been molested. We believe that each of the boys who made these charges along with their attorney knew their accusations were made up for the purpose of getting money. I know, with God, as my witness, that I never touched any one of these boys in a sexual or disrespectful way. Like Paul in the NT, I can say that I am the chief of sinners, but molesting any of these boys was not my sin.
Now the real reason for writing this note is that we want to thank each of you who sent us e-mails, notes and cards, or called us and assured us of your belief in us and your support. Without this support we don't think we could have made it. So thank you each and everyone. We love you so much!
Our love,
Lowell and Arladell Nelson"
He hardly knew or hadn't even met any of his acusers? Oh really...
Didn't know John Juarez?
"Mr. Nelson has been teaching biology here at MBA for 16 years and does some landscaping around campus. John Juarez and Mr. Nelson enjoy landscaping on nice afternoons usually. You would find them landscaping �Wherever there�s dirt� comments J.J. or �Someplace east of the Pacific Ocean and West of San Andreas Road,� quotes Mr. Nelson."
Monterey Bay Academy 1984-85 Yearbook, Page 71, below headline "Frog's Yuck!" 2nd Paragraph lower right hand corner.
Liarsayswhat?
There is no cure, only treatment, and the SDA institution from the GC to Weimar to MBA on down is not only protecting a pedophile, but sponsoring his denial of his problem by buying off those who would stop them BEFORE NELSON WAS EVEN DEPOSED. All this does to a Pedophile is to give them a sense of power and invincibility, so how would it be possible that he magically stopped abusing? To those who ask whether Nelson is continuing to abuse... of course he is.
I didn't know Ron Wittlake, so I would like to ask those who might know... Was Ron Wittlake's family involved with the case at any level? As a former student of Nelson... he paid a higher price for Nelson's abuse than any amount of money the Church may have paid. No doubt that Wittlake had private writings that could reveal much.
And please don't place me in the "quick to judge" category. You know not the path I have walked
Dave,
I have had long conversations with a former student who had detailed knowledge of Whitlake (Whitlake openly discussed boys he had molested with this person and propositioned him constantly - also threatened to kill him if he ever told anyone). According to my friend Whitlake's wife knew of his behavior and referred to his molestee's as "his little boys" in an disgruntled manor. Dave we should talk. I'll email you (or you can me) and we can set up a time to speak.
- Nick
Nick from reading all your postings I'd have to say you get off on all this in some way or another. You don't know shit, and you keep digging for more dirt. I sure hope Demetri has steered clear of all this judgement that so cleary oozes from your very soul.
Hey Anon:
Please don't rip on Nick unless you have the balls to use you name.
Talk about judgemental . . .
And . . .
He's posted his email address - talk to him privately if you've got a beef with him.
Don't show your immaturity by doing it this way.
This posting page is for the Nelsson/Wittlake issue, not your personal grind against Nick.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department Sexual Assault Unit has been appraised of the situation and is prepared to take statements of victims, in or out of statute. In their words -
"Even if it appears their case is out of statute, we can still conduct interviews and formally document the incidents. This will benefit any other victims/survivors if their case is within statute. In addition, the victim/witness program is available to everyone even their cases are out of statute."
Please help spread the word, any victims should contact them at 831-454-2311. Also feel free to email sdajustice@yahoo.com with any questions, etc.
I knew both Mr. Whittlake and Mr. Nelson. I was in the New Horizons for 2 years and took Biology. When I had found out what had happened, I have to say that I wasn't shocked in the least about Mr. Whittlake. Mr. Nelson I was a little more upset about. But as I sat and thought about the way he acted in class and talked and "rubbed" shoulders. It didn't surprise me. As a girl going to MBA, no one bothered me. But I had many male friends and I would have hoped that if anything happened to them and they came to me I would have listened. I find it more upsetting that when these boys told their parents they thought that they were lying. Like Elder Voth and I use the term "Elder" loosely. It didn't matter what you had told him he buried his head so far up his butt he couldn't see the sun. According to him there were no drugs, no alcohol, no sex, everyone who went to school, taught at the school or even associated with the SDA school was "perfect".
I'm sad to say...not so.
I have to thank Michael and others for opening the door to bringing sexual abuse out in the open...specifically abuse that happened at MBA.
I too was abused by a teacher at MBA. If there are others who are willing to come forward, male or female, with anything that Ivan Mallernee did to them during his 30+ years at MBA I would like to encourage you to do so. It is time people don't look the other way anymore and let these guys get away with their devastating behaviors.
Again, there is already a case # started with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Dept. See next paragraph for reporting info.
This is from the Santa Cruz County Investigator's Office regarding MBA/Ivan Mallernee case for potential abuse victims.
"The case number is 05-6607 . This will be used for everyone who contacts
me.
Sgt. Robin Mitchell
Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office
Sexual Assault Unit
831-454-3215"
Anonymous | 07.08.05 - 10:24 pm | #
Folks, please note on the other thread, that the statute of limitations for criminal proceedings has not yet expired for potential cases. Anything that happened after 1988, is still open for criminal prosecution. That is 19 8 8, not 1998.
If you know of something that happened, please contact the Sheriff's office.
jcclimber
Absolutely correct on the statute, JC... and I hope and pray every day for courage to those who have been silent till now.
So, here's a question...what happens if we are still able to file criminal charges due to the timing of the abuse? Does that mean that they might put him behind bars? I'm kinda scared, because it was something so long ago should he still suffer today? Or should I be responsible for ruining what family life he may have? Maybe for the last 15 years he hasn't done anything else....I am so confused. Is there a right or wrong in this situation? I don't know what to do and I am scared!
Abused by a teacher other than Nelson and Whitlake at MBA
What good does it do to hold it within yourself? The teacher was COUNTING ON you being too scared to talk about it. These other teachers ruined the lives of their victims for DECADES. It is a good possibility that the teacher that abused you, also abused others. You may or may not know how this has affected you and/or others. You NEED to find out.
15 years - So what! You still have rights. I'm sure, that if the victims in the Nelson/Wittlake cases could have, they would have gone for criminal charges. Let a jury decide if he should suffer today.
PLEASE, contact:
Sgt. Robin Mitchell
Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office
Sexual Assault Unit
831-454-3215
Case Number 05-6607
Dear Anonymous:
Your fears are understandable. I was silent for 5 years, and the guys molested others. It is not so much about as much as it is about preventing future abuses.
Would you want someone else to endure what you did? When no one addresses it with these people, then the next one pays too.
Please come forward. Sgt. Mitchell can open a case against them too, and even if nothing comes from your input, the paper trail that helps take these folks out of the "kiddie pool" has been started.
I'm praying for you.
Regards,
Dear Anonymous | 07.11.05 - 2:48 am;
Sorry, there are many "Anonymous" here, and I wanted you to be sure I was speaking to you.
I am so sorry for your pain... I can say nothing to lessen that, only prayer and your actions to bring out the truth can start the healing that you need.
1. There is NO cure for pedophilia. It's been psychologically proven time and time again. Please read this article in WebMD http://my.webmd.com/content/Arti...tm?
pagenumber=2 it says...
'Sadly, there is no "cure" for the disease. Therapy combined with drugs like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which includes Prozac and Paxil, works well for many people with other mental illnesses, but it doesn't work for most pedophiles. The best doctors can really hope for is to help keep pedophiles from acting on their urges.' This tells me that if your attacker is unprosecuted as of today, there is little doubt that he/she was/is waging this crime against other little ones for 15 years and counting.
2. Ask yourself if your God would intend you to suffer the impact this has had on your life.
3. Next remember how it felt/feels to be a victim, at the time and since, and ask yourself if, truly given a chance, would you prevent this from happening to others.
4. At least call and consult a caring attorney on the matter. YOU ARE WORTH IT... in the eyes of God, in the eyes of us, and you should be in your own view also.
The attorney who handled the recent Nelson/Wittlake case for the victims is a Seventh-Day-Adventist himself...
Name: Joseph P. Scully
Address: Union Bank Plaza, 445 South Figueroa Street, Suite 3200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone Number: 213-430-4777
Email Address: jscully@rrbllp.com
Yours in prayer,
David Howard
Recent Anonymous,
if you know something, you can at least talk to the people referenced above. Don't worry too much about wrecking their lives, as their own actions have already damaged their own relationships, even if held "secret" in their own hearts. The effects of their actions will continue to reverbrate quietly in other people, doing damage in unpredictable ways for a long time.
When you come forward, it will be a big step for you to get it out of your system and move on with your life. It is not a casual thing to accuse someone of this kind of crime, and the police will do their best with the information given. Even if nothing else comes of it immediately, you will feel better that you finally took some action, within your power and within legal and ethical rules, to see that justice is done.
If all statutes are past, is there anything else to do? Anything that brings about some sort of justice? Or do they just get away with it all, one more time......
FROZEN
My life is frozen in time
I was frozen then
and frozen now.
Ice beginning to melt
realizing how i felt
scared confused angry
do those of you at the top
have any idea
your dismisal hurt
just as much
as his awful, disgusting touch
Dear Previous Anon:
"If all statutes are past, is there anything else to do? Anything that brings about some sort of justice? Or do they just get away with it all, one more time......"
To answer your question - it depends on if they've done anything within the statute time - since 1988.
However, we have no knowledge if that will ever happen.
I reported what Nelson did to me anyway (last week) in the idea that someone else MIGHT come forward.
This way, we can establish a paper trail.
THIS is the value of reporting it.
And Kudos to you Jon, for having the courage to report as well. It is a scary process and takes A LOT of guts.
It may be just one of the best things that you have done for yourself your entire life. I am beginning to see that myself.
Take Care!
Thanks anonymous:
It's my 2nd time reporting. I have to do this to protect my kids (and yours).
I did it way back in the 80's, and that paper trail ended up giving the maximum sentance to the guy who screwed his stepson (literally).
I KNOW it will eventually pay of - and that's our only recourse for now.
Generally, I don't subscribe to the 'It takes a village' concept, but perhaps we can get the village on board and hang the 'village idiots' publically if not legally.
Hey Weston, and all the others... CONGRATS on the settlement!!! Know it's not gonna solve your problems, but at least it's a step. Hopefully you'll go out and enjoy some of the money! Fuck what anyone else out there might think about how you spend it. Hope you're not worried about what they think now, when they obviously didn't have your back the last 20 years you were going thru all your own personal shit. Buying a new car or something's definately not gonna solve your problems, but if that's what you wanna do, go for it!!! You guys earned it for just having the balls to step up and go public with all this. Hopefully now some real changes will be made and other kids will be spared. Congrats again! (class of ' 88 )
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