When Brian Bresee became a father, he was a sixth-generation Mormon who believed that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a good faith tradition and environment in which to raise children. But when his 14-year-old son took his own life, Brian began to scrutinize the church’s teachings
Lawsuit Filed Against Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch for Failing to Keep Two Boys Safe from Sexual Abuse
Boys Ranch was aware of the dangerous condition on their premises. Stuart and Andy’s outcries are corroborated by similar reports spanning decades. Within the past two years, dozens of former Boys Ranch residents have made outcries of physical and sexual abuse they endured while in Boys Ranch[’s] care.
As more abuse survivors come forward, Cal Farley’s CEO says he’s not a “promoter of their agenda”
The Associated Press has published a feature story on the egregious abuses that continued for decades at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in North Texas. Many abuse survivors say the institution ignores the needs of those it harmed and should be transparent about its mistakes of the past.
One man calls
CFFP included in California Senator’s announcement of “mandated reporter” bill
We fully support Senator Hill’s bill that requires clergy to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect, without exception. For too long, religious authorities have been protected from reporting these cases, leaving children vulnerable and unsafe. Like teachers, physicians, and other mandatory reporters, members of the clergy often
Will Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch help those it traumatized as children?
Boys Ranch has a program that provides assistance to alumni. But it’s not working well for those who were abused while growing up there.
It’s been six months since the news broke that Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch was not the place it purported itself to be.
The nearly 80-year-old institution
My abuse weaponized me against my body. Until my body won.
Bethany Brittain, a former board member of the CFFP, talks about how the physical and emotional abuse of her childhood affected her relationship with her body and, ultimately, her health.
When I was 13, I declared war on my body. It wasn’t hard to do. It was quite natural even.
Will Texas parents lose their right to sue faith-based schools that abuse their child?
A decision by the Texas Supreme Court could give religiously affiliated private schools legal carte blanche to harm children.
As parents, when we enroll our children in a school, we entrust it to care for our kids and keep them safe. That’s certainly true for private K-12 schools which
What is Religious Child Maltreatment?
When I began writing my book, Breaking Their Will: Shedding Light on Religious Child Maltreatment, the term religious child maltreatment or RCM did not exist (and numerous searches proved that Google had never heard of it.)
This dearth of information indicated that there hadn’t been much study on the negative impacts of
Idaho committee chairman receives ‘F’ grade in child advocacy
One year ago, the Child-Friendly Faith Project and local advocates began meeting with Sen. Lee Heider about a critical issue—Idaho’s failure to protect children from egregious ‘faith healing’ medical neglect. In evaluating his ability to be an advocate for children, the board of the CFFP agrees that the Senator deserves an ‘F.’
Lee Heider
Idaho Governor talks about ‘faith healing’ child deaths; town hall meeting is held
Last week, before I headed to Boise, Idaho, I was looking forward to being part of a panel discussion organized by local child advocates. The purpose was to offer a public forum for Idahoans who wanted to ask questions and share their views about the state’s religious “faith healing” exemptions.
But