By Vashti Initiative Staff
While we are saddened to learn of another case of abuse in a religious setting, we applaud Duluth Vineyard for their swift and appropriate response.
It is always difficult to hear allegations from within your own community, but the protection of victims and prevention of further harm should be of utmost priority.
This church organization took the initial report seriously, alerted the proper authorities, and hired an independent third party to investigate in addition to the legal investigation.
We further commend this organization for having a response plan already in place, so that they were prepared should an incident of this nature arise. We recognize that not all incidents can be prevented, and it is important to have a prepared means to address it.
By cooperating fully with the authorities and keeping the public informed, Duluth Vineyard serves as an example of responsible management in a faith-based setting. We believe that organizations should be held accountable in creating an environment that fosters respect, understanding, and zero tolerance for abuse, and we hope that their commitment to justice and safety will inspire others to follow suit.
The victims are in our hearts, and we wish them healing and closure.
Related Sources:
Duluth Vineyard’s official statement: Our Response To Misconduct – The Vineyard Church
The GRACE Report: Duluth Vineyard Church Final Report & Recommendations
About Us:
The Vashti Initiative is a volunteer-driven organization primarily led by fellow survivors of religious or spiritual abuse. We provide support to those experiencing the effects of spiritual or religious-based trauma, including those harmed by religious cults, abusive religious institutes, or other adverse spiritual settings. Our mission is to empower and assist those fleeing and transitioning out of religious and spiritual abuse.
The Vashti Initiative 