Investigator Details Widespread Abuse Within the 'Two by Twos' Religious Sect

Uncovering Abuse in the Two by Twos Sect

• 💡 Private investigator Cynthia Liles has spent years investigating the "Two by Twos" religious organization, uncovering allegations of widespread child abuse.
• 🎯 Liles has helped notify the FBI of over 1,151 alleged victims of sexual abuse tied to the church, noting a devastating pattern of secrecy and cover-ups.
• 📌 Liles herself is a former member of the sect, which she describes as a closed system with unique practices like ministers being homeless and members adhering to strict dress codes and prohibitions on modern entertainment.

The Investigation and Its Scope

• 🔍 Liles's investigation began in 2010 after finding an online letter from a survivor and gained significant momentum in 2022 when she connected with attorneys working on child sex abuse cases within the sect.
• 📈 A spreadsheet was created to track the increasing number of abuse allegations, initially with the naive belief that leadership would address the problem upon notification.
• ⚠️ The revelation that church leadership was aware of and often moved perpetrators, rather than addressing the abuse, was a shocking discovery for Liles.

Patterns of Abuse and Cover-Up

• 💔 The ages of alleged abuse victims range from five to 95 years old, with many perpetrators being deceased, and the abuse dating back to the church's origins in Ireland.
• 🌍 A recurring pattern involves known abusers being moved to other countries, such as South America, Central America, Mexico, and Africa, instead of facing repercussions.
• 🏢 The church's structure, lacking an official office, headquarters, or public records, makes institutional accountability and civil suits extremely difficult, though records like field lists are maintained by members.

Current Efforts and Survivor Support

• 📞 Liles established a hotline in March 2023 after an overseer, revealed to be a predator, passed away, leading to a surge of survivor testimonies.
• 🤝 Liles's organization has evolved into "2x2 Church Accountability" for investigations and "Pathways to Healing Network" for survivor care, connecting victims with clinicians and funding for therapy.
• 🗣️ Many survivors remain fearful of speaking out due to the belief that the sect is the "one true way" to heaven and the potential loss of community, though resources are now available to support them.

Justice and Future Outlook

• ⚖️ Justice for survivors is sought through criminal proceedings (difficult due to statutes of limitations in the US but progressing in countries like New Zealand) and restorative justice, including potential lump-sum settlements from the church's significant financial resources.
• 🚫 Liles believes the fellowship is unlikely to reform, citing the ministry's rejection of recommended safety policies in favor of relying solely on the Bible and the Holy Spirit.
• 🌐 A searchable database of perpetrators is being developed to provide credible information, with over 250 names vetted and more to be added, searchable by location and role within the church.
• 📢 Liles urges survivors to seek assistance, emphasizing the availability of resources for storytelling, legal recourse, and therapy through various organizations, including her own.