A comprehensive analysis of institutional failures and demands for accountability
How Eastminster's response perpetuates institutional harm
Only victims and current members can view 6-page summary. Full report hidden.
Impact: Prevents community awareness and protection
Requires out-of-state survivors to travel to Wichita to read findings.
Impact: Discriminates against distant survivors
Refuses to release redacted version to protect broader community.
Impact: Leaves potential victims uninformed
Used current member Randy Coffman to conduct 'independent' investigation.
Impact: Compromises investigation integrity
No access permitted until after their June 22nd 'Service of Lament'.
Impact: Controls survivor narrative
Dozens of potential victims were never contacted or interviewed.
Impact: Minimizes scope of abuse
Full report (100-200 pages) with evidence remains completely hidden.
Impact: Protects institution over survivors
Forcing survivors to return to Eastminster - the site of their abuse - to learn about other victims' experiences. This requirement shows a fundamental lack of trauma-informed care.
Survivors in Dallas, Kansas City, Michigan, Boston, Washington and other locations cannot easily access findings about their own abuse and that of their peers.
Neighbors, teachers, colleagues who may have been abused elsewhere by Bodie Weiss have no access to information that could validate their experiences.
Lack of transparency protects church leadership who may have enabled or covered up abuse, preventing accountability for those who failed to act.
What survivors need from Eastminster Presbyterian Church
Publish a redacted version of the investigation summary that protects victim identities while informing the community about the scope and nature of abuse.
Publicly acknowledge what church leadership knew in 2000 and 2005, who was involved in decision-making, and why abuse was dismissed rather than reported.
Commission a truly independent investigation by GRACE or similar organization not affiliated with Eastminster Presbyterian Church.
Actively reach out to all former youth group members from 1989-2003, not just those who responded to initial contact attempts.
Implement comprehensive child protection policies and submit to ongoing external oversight from an independent organization.
Alert other churches, schools, and organizations where Bodie Weiss worked about confirmed abuse patterns to protect potential victims.
Other religious institutions have successfully implemented transparent accountability processes:
Every day of continued secrecy causes additional harm to survivors and potentially puts others at risk.