My sister and I were only able to speak of our abuse when we were in our late 60's early 70's. I am now 77 and she is 73. We never told anyone, wish we had. I so admire you Chelsea, thank you for laying it all out for us. Children have been tyrannised for so long by their expected silence over lifetimes. How tragic. One of my favourite singers, Sinead O'Connor was vilified for her stance against this giant crime against children, and I put Chelsea up there with Sinead for her part in speaking up as she is doing in this interview. Thank you Margi and John for making this possible. Love from two old survivors ❤
@@TheShodan92 Thank you. We have and we do now. Both in an old age home now. Best wishes to all of you for a safe and peaceful new year. We're just walking each other home. 🤗
To John and Margie - This was, by far, the most epic and heart wrenching episode of all times by Mormon Stories Podcast. Chelsea heroically ripped the many bandaids off of not only her personal horrendous abuse but fully shed light on to what extent the Mormon church will go to control and cover up the narrative at the sake of its Members’ lives. People that behave, abuse, offend and permanently cause far-reaching psychological and spiritual damage to their own children should not be allowed to walk the face of this earth! Chelsea’s father should have been put behind bars long ago. Thank you for this epic episode! Blessings to you and your family this holiday! ❤🎄
This is actually on the same level as Adam Steed’s story, which unfortunately Mormon Stories had to remove due to ongoing legal action. He was abused by a man multiple times while a young boy in the church. You can see on his face physically what experiencing evil like that does to you as a young boy. He looks like he’s had borne the burden of several lifetimes. 💔
My mom used to work for John Goodrich. I remember how uncomfortable he made me as a little girl. Looking back now, I can see how the ways he treated my mom were inappropriate. Luckily, my dad caught on to it and was an advocate for her. I am so proud of Chelsea. It takes enormous strength to share her truth and bring awareness to CSA and CSA within the church. Thank you Chelsea.
It is interesting how God makes us aware of men who do these terrible things! I live in a small town and friend and I. One days in talking we discovered both of us felt the same way about someone in another town! I am so glad she has come out and revealed her truth! God bless you and may He continue to bring healing to you, because it totally changes your life! Because of this podcast I am praying that Mormons truly come to know Christ! Mormons don’t seem to see how it is okay to be think it is okay to be involved in the devils work shop, with Harry Potter, Halloween, Dungeons and dragons etc! My nephew had a friend who was, and my sister-in-law who is strong in the Lord, saw such a change in her son when he visited his friend and wouldn’t allow their son to go to his house!
@@lindapearson8137you can’t be serious 🤦♀️ stop blaming things that are fear based and just blame the shitty people. As someone who was raised Mormon, the non corrupt members really do believe in Christ. Witchcraft isn’t evil, evil witchcraft is evil. Dungeons and dragons 😂😂😂😂 I can’t stop laughing at that. Also if you’re going so say Halloween in general (because of what it’s based off and not the society Halloween) then you might want to stop Christmas and Easter and all that as well and get educated. They all stem from pagan beliefs.
It's important for CSA victims to tell exactly what happened to them because society, churches and especially abusers minimize every act. Molestation is a crime.
Sexual abuse is worse than murder for the child. It lasts for the life time. Beside the PTSD, the anxiety we experienced, the judgement from others every time we told the experience. I got molested by my uncle in the 90's, and told 4 different LDS leaders, no one did anything. Until this day, I wondered why no one did anything. Is it because they didn't believe me? Thanks for sharing Chelsea, my heart aches for you.
The constant physical, mental, emotional roller coasters you were constantly when you’re still trying to understand life. It’s unbearable. I’m so sorry it happened to you. You did not deserve that. It makes me want to weep for you that no one believed you or didn’t support you enough to do anything. I hope you have gotten support for what happened to you.
Damn......as a father of daughters, i just don't get it. I can remember first holding our first born and feeling the immense feeling of being her protector and that has never left me. I couldn't live with myself if i consciously and intentionally caused any of my children harm. What is so broken inside the mind of someone that would do such awful things?!?!? You are so brave Chelsea. Thank you for telling your story.
Honestly mindeloman, this is an excellent yet terrifying point at the same time, I am also a father of daughters and it is terrifying how this father could live with himself and not immediately commit suicide after even 1 time of abuse at this level. The fact a person like that is living right now and not ending his own life by any means necessary is legitimately nightmarish. It requires a lack of soul impossible to fathom. On a related note, there isn’t a way to kill a human that could satisfy justice for this. It just doesn’t exist. Humans aren’t capable of enough physical pain/torture to pay for something like this. For believers in the Atonement of Jesus Christ, this is sobering. I choose to believe Jesus Christ has joy unspeakable that is equally incomprehensible in store for Chelsea as part of His “wiping away every tear” for her. I don’t see how I could sleep at night without believing that.
@@jrtodd-br4zc You dad’s commenting on “how could” another dad do such a thing to his child “I just don’t understand.” You don’t understand because you are not a pedophile. Other pedophiles will understand. Here’s a better question to ask and to act upon “how can I be the change in this world that privileges pedophiles/predators over victims?” to @jrtodd-br4zc Believing in a supernatural being that will make all things right someday - good for you if that helps. You could also do something tangible here and now, perhaps, to make things right for victims. I think that Christian theology allows for this as well. Of course, John Goodrich should be in jail and absolutely prevented from contact with any child ever. Pedophiles who recognize their problem should be helped and also kept away from children. Pedophiles who offend/break the law should be held accountable and experience justice by the law and then prevented from ever having access to children if their sentence is not a life sentence and they are released. Those of us witnessing Chelsea’s story may consider doing more than hoping in the atonement or wondering how anyone could harm a child like that. Consider believing victims, standing with victims by using our influence as constituents to get laws that protect abusers changed as Chelsea eloquently advocates.
@@BG-ig6fd Very true “some . . . Don’t have parental instinct[s].” I’d also add that some have different brains than average which makes them lack parental instincts. Wonder if we’ll ever have a test that can be administered which will tell people “oh hey, you should probably not reproduce b/c you don’t have the right make up to parent a human.” Probably not. Likely there’s some argument regarding the ethics of this, but for sure there are some people who should never have children IMO.
I think that's part of why abuse is such a mind F because your parent can be your protector and your abuser at the same time and who's going to protect you from your parent or guardian
The prosecutor who dropped the case, after SO many people knew there was enough evidence to convict her father, should lose EVERYTHING. She should never work again.
What the hell kind of “justice” systems and “religions” do we have in this country that protect abusers and wealth over the vulnerable and victims? It’s so repulsive. I agree that sexual abuse is a murder of a soul. Chelsea, you are a light. I pray for your healing and I use the word prayer completely devoid of any religious definition. It’s just a pure wish from my heart, from one survivor to another. ❤
Not only mormons, JWs have the same 💩. Only in Australia over 1000 and not even single went to police, cos they have rule these things should fix inside org. They have own 3 elder justice and they do not say to victim go to police. This was one the biggest reason I left from my religion, I cant be member of org that dont protect victims. They have secret pedo lists and they rather pay than give them to polices. I feel sick that I was part of that religion.
I agree with both of you. From my heart, I hope for healing and enlightenment for Chelsea and her mom. On the “justice” system though, this won’t go anywhere. I have no hope left for Justice in the US. I don’t even think public shaming will be enough to change anything. The church members bankroll these vile lawyers and businessmen, they’ll never turn them to the police. If it was a poor member or a housewife, then Justice would be swift because they have nothing to lose. And they know that church members are brainwashed and the cognitive dissonance is astounding so publicly recording this will not change anything for them either. The only change is for those that have fallen victim to their evil. For them to know that they are not alone and that there is those of us that care for their healing.
I am 56 years old. Remembered when I was 35 my sexual assault when I was a child. To this day I am still triggered by my brother who was the perpetrator.
Im a sex abuse surviver and an exmorman who was a born in the church and my family is one of the ansister to the Atkin house and I understand that this Religion does protect the abuser because I lived through it with my ward and Bishop.
I believe that all religions do cover the perpetrators and the lives of the kids and wives many times disregarded. We must to forgive and move on. The last case I heard in my country was a 10 year old. The mother wake up in the middle of the night and witnessed her monster husband ready to do it. She said she wasn’t going to report him, because men in my country killed families like crazy. No regards for life, but she fled the house the same night, when to the police, and he was arrested. In my country he won’t be in prison for long, unfortunately.
I’m a baptist pastors daughter and I was severely sexually abused and I was recruited into a sex trafficking at 14 years old. This doesn’t just go on in the lds church and I was in the church for a few years. It’s devastating how we are handled in churches.
hi, Karlyn I came acroos your comment and you share of what you went through. We live in the imperfect world and we are not a hundred percent safe. It is sad the churches are not really helping the victim and the worst is being blame and ignored. I stop going to church and I pray inside my house and I still believe God has a plan for us not to hurt us but give us hope.I want you to know Karlyn you are not alone and we got this...
This has to be one of the most disgusting and disturbing cases I have ever heard. I feel so sick for these women. The people responsible for these travesties need to be held accountable. Both in the church and in the legal communities.
I would have never expected something so sinister in Idaho. I think of the MidWest in a complete different manner. But now I realize Lady Justice only speaks for the lined pockets of the few. Which explains so much about the Vallow case to me!!SMDH
@@lisajeter9511 ????? Evil has NOOOOOOOO bounds or state limits, wake the hell up!!! Criminal justice system is trash and there is NOOOO such thing as Lady Justice , try the pockets of millions as USA is the most incarcerated country in the world especially for people of color!
Chelsea, it’s been said before on this thread, but there are. No. Words. I am so sorry that the MULTIPLE systems failed you and your family so UTTERLY. You are such a testament for the silent victims out there, and I am positive that your sharing is going to help others come forward. You must be such a gift for your patients, with your unfortunate ability to relate and help make them feel that they can work through this and be able to help others themselves. 💚
For everyone who has never been sexually abused by a Mormon parent:guardian…you can’t even begin to understand the devastating long term consequences to your mental health. I’m heart broken for her 😢💔
@mitchllpryor313 It is shocking. Per capita, I suspect the number of abusers in the LDS church is much higher than the Catholic church. The weak leadership's refusal to tackle the issue will destroy the church. It is haemorrhaging members around the world, but they turn a blind eye. If they refuse to protect children, they are finished.
For former and current Catholics this story rings very true. Any patriarchal religion will echo these abuses while claiming their particular way/dogma is the only path to eternal salvation.
I would make her situation into a documentary on Netflix. Her message will be heard far and wide. Shine the light on all the darkness. A beacon of light, a lighthouse out of the storms of darkness. As a survivor of CSA, I support Chelsea ❤
Chelsea, I'm just letting you know I'm thinking of you and sending love. Your bravery is powerful. I'm so sorry for your suffering. To have been abused by someone you loved and trusted... and then abused again by the church you loved and trusted... It's so much pain to endure. Thank you for sharing your story, and shining sunlight on the shadows.
One reason I watch Mormon Stories so much is that these stories help heal me. Even though I was brought up Catholic and definitely got some bad ideas put in my head, it's nothing to do with religion. .It's everything to do with experiencing isolation, gaslighting, public shaming, and then towards the end, the smear campaign. Narcissistic abuse happens from both supposedly loving organizations, and individuals. It just all feels so familiar to me, even though in my case, it was my mother and then a husband. Chelsea is amazing for sharing so openly about what must be the worst betrayal of a child possible. Thank you. ❤❤❤
I was raised Catholic as well, but these atrocities manage to transcend across the board. Chelsea’s story breaks my heart in so many ways, but it’s so important to be heard. ❤❤❤
@@Herewearenowentertainus i completely agree. I only said it that way so that it wasn't assumed the church messed me up badly. My family practiced a pretty mild version. And even though i can honestly say, I had no belief in it ever, (i just went along to get along for years though) it still did install automatic guilt, being too nice, forgiving ongoing behavior time as time again, that stuff did still contribute to putting up with a toxic man for far too long. So even religion on its nicest levels still causes harm.
Im very impressed with her mother. She didn't hesitate when it came to standing up for her daughter. She gave up a comfortable life style. To protect and stand by her daughter. A lot of these kind of stories, the mother looks the other way.❤
Chelsea, your courage is an inspiration to all of us listening. Thank you for sharing your story. It makes such a difference for survivors who have undergone similar tragedies.
My heart hurts for her. Although my abuse wasn't from my father - the stake clerk was my abuser. I was eight. I was was made to feel like the abuse was my fault. It was known there were at least three additional victims. Nothing ever happened to him. He remained the stake clerk. It still haunts me decades later.
Hi, Lori and I came across your comments, anyway, I want you to know it was not your fault and it is sad that you had went through the abuse and the abuser was not being punish or atleast to be descipline .This abuse is not only happening in the church but also happening in clinics and hospital.Lori , nobody can get away in God's judgement. Thank you, for sharing your experience.
I would hope a federal prosecutor might want to look into this. That, and a class action lawsuit forming against the church if enough victims join their voices. Chelsea had nobody looking out for her in any aspect of this case. She was victimized not only by her dad but by every other authority in this scenario. Thank you to Mormon stories for giving Chelsea a platform to share and be so vulnerable.
and this man is a dentist with access to potential victims and dangerous drugs that he has a felony charge!! wth is wrong with this damn country!!!!! Chelsea you are so brave and courageous!!! Ty for sharing your story!!!
You are so brave Chelsea, I am so sorry that the church you grew up in that should have protected you, chose to protect its assets and reputation over its members. It’s so disgusting that he got away with no punishment for abusing you. Even more disgusting that the church knows what he did and still didn’t think they needed to protect children from him. The prosecutor decided that her church was worth more protection than children which is reprehensible.
Good for you. God Bless. I'm so sorry the injustice you experienced. I know how it feels. I have experienced Medical Injustice and have never gotten help or compensation. It's not the same but I know how it feels. I'm so sorry for your SA. I have a few questions about my childhood myself but it's unclear. Thank you for risking everything to help the children. @@chelseagoodrich6383
My wife ( bless her soul) ..... Was abused by her dad and grandpa. It destroyed her soul.... and eventually her mortal life. She was a beautiful soul, but crippled by child abuse.
Two things that struck me today as I absorbed Melissa’s story, while paying attention to her speech, as well as body language. She is articulate and well versed, carefully choosing her words to ensure the accuracy of her statements. Confidently poised, calmly she makes a most credible witness. As she recounted the horrible facts of each stage of her life, she consistently stated how grateful she was for different individuals. She recalled the kindness of some, the good fortune of having this person offer to assist, I could go on, but my point is she was gracious towards others, while refraining from name calling or saying vile things about her story and the way in which so many individuals and organizations let her down. This is a woman of great fortitude, so classy, and I have a deep love and respect for her. She deserves so much better than what life has dealt her thus far. I only wish peace for her, some form of closure, and another beautiful soul such as herself to share a life devoid of ugly things and people. She is so deserving of this, and so much more. 🥰
Well said. I wish so much love and healing for her. She is a powerful and intelligent woman. I hope all of the goodness she still manages to put out in the world comes back to her tenfold. One of those better be a gentle, good looking stallion of a man to share this life with. All that and more! ❤️❤️❤️
Nobody should ever go through a moment of the horrors you went through. The fact that you’re still standing is a testament for your strength, which should’ve never had to exist in the first place. You are so brave to share your story.
Heartbreaking and Horrifying.💔You are so courageous. I pray you find peace in time. Shame on The All Elders in the LDS Church who were silent and conspiring in the silence and covering up such wickedness.
Chelsea, your story has left a permanent impression on my heart. I’m so sorry for the ugliness and darkness you were forced to live through, the darkness I’m sure still lingers today (as a CSA survivor myself, I sadly can imagine). Thank you for sharing, from the bottom of my heart. ❤ the mormon church and the judicial system failed you, but your courage and bravery will not be in vain.
Yes, I’m not sure why those particular names got edited. I believe that was a mistake. If you would like to know who they are, I have named them in other interviews and there will be other things coming out publicly where you will be able to see that. I have documentation backing up all of the statements I have made concerning them.
It is irritating, the prosecutor is a failure as prosecutor and we don’t hear the name, unbelievable. But whoever know the are, knows who she is talking about. I don’t, I live in CT, I hope people put two and two together.
@@chelseagoodrich6383yes, Mormon stories had a video down because of future prosecution. Adam seed video? Is not here anymore, we must to be careful, but it is frustrating.
@@laurenmay2098- The Adam Seed video is no longer there, why exactly? His story was absolutely horrific on so many levels, but it parallels Chelsea’s on what the church did. Adam Seed was revictimized & retraumatized by the Mormon church in a significant way.
Thank you for sharing your story. It is harrowing and awful and I am so sorry you have been denied justice in such a cruel way. You are truly doing the most important work. I think there are thousands of us that have experienced abuse within the Mormon church myself included. In one Bishop meeting with me and my siblings, all in middle and high school, we confided to him of my father’s physical abuse of us and my mom. He interviewed my parent’s next and shamed my Japanese mother so hard she couldn’t attend church until we moved to a new ward. My next meeting with my bishop I disclosed my father’s sexual abuse... which made the bishop so uncomfortable and chose that time to ask me if I masturbated. Needless to say the church did nothing and my abuse went on for years. You sharing your trauma and showing your strength has validated me and I know it is helping others to heal too. Thank you for your bravery, I know it comes at a price. I hope you can take some time nurture yourself.
As a Idaho native, many of us non mormons are not surprised about the mormon influence in the legal system, school system government, and the bias and coverup in all of those systems. I am so sorry for what Chelsea and her family have endured.
This broke my heart and made me so angry. That her father would repeat “I spoke to the church or the bishop and it’s ok now, I sought redemption” . What!? Umm maybe for you, John…but John/“dad”, didn’t once mention what his child was going through or that this, was something she had to deal with daily! 😢 him acting like confessing just magically took it all away!? Selfish horrible human 😢 thank you to Chelsea..for sharing.
As a mother of a victim and being a victim too please darling don’t let that man ruin your future. He is not worth it. There’s so much I could tell you but please find your healing and your strength. Heavenly Father loves you and those people that failed you will eventually feel the sting. We don’t need to protect the church. It’s clear some don’t know the nature of the Savior at all.
Can't believe that people speaking out in the church to protect children from being abused are often excommunicated way before actual child abusers are. Really shows the church's priorities.
Hi fellow CSA survivors whose Dad was like this Dad and got away with it all. There’s more of us than I think people realize. Love you all. No one knows but us how strong we have been forced to be.
I hope this doesn’t come off as cold because that’s not my intention. I remember very clearly in the late 80’s maybe early 90’s during the time period when abortion rights and right to life protests were very common and a topic of debate and discussion in schools almost daily. There was an announcement that the bishops read from the GA about abortion and Mormons were pro-life BUT in instances of rape, incest and if the mothers life were in danger the mother was ‘allowed’ to have a conversation with her bishop. That was one of the very few pivotal moments for me. My head and heart were already out. I couldn’t figure out why on this one topic the church seemed to be more empathetic than they seemed capable of being in other areas. This story just shined a bright light. They weren’t being empathetic at all, they were covering their asses.
This is so triggering to listen to. My kid (adopted) was sexually abused by her birth father (a Mormon) and in a similar way to this case the prosecutors dropped the charges too despite ample evidence. Our justice system is rotten.
This abuser has got to rot in prison for life. Religious institutions have become far too powerful and intertwined with government. The feds have got to use the RICO Act to go after the whole damn system of Utah. Laws have got to change. This current system is absolutely broken.
Chelsea, thank you so much for sharing your story and I'm so sorry for everything you have been through and i am so inspired by your courage and strength! I know this has to be incredibly hard to share and as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a family member, also in Idaho and also with the Bishop and other people in our Ward fully aware of allegations of sexual abuse by other kids in our family, I understand how us survivors can be vilified in and by the very place we should have been protected in! I'm sending you so much love and peace and continued strength and I truly am so sorry for all of the pain you've been through. 🤗
As terrible, awful, grotesque, disgusting, and heinous her story is, I have no doubt it is as helpful for other victims to hear. Glad she is strong enough to tell this, and about how it goes on, and how various people deal with it, or deny it, or ignore it. And how ruinous it is for the victims. Also disgusting how the church dealt with it. None of this is surprising. To me. Unfortunately. What she says at 3:10:56. I've also said that. Sexually abusing a child: "It's a kind murder of the soul that you have to live with and try to sort through for the rest of your life."
It’s so hard for me not to breakdown crying watching this. I have heard that expression before and believe it’s absolutely accurate. I just can’t understand how anyone would dare to protect someone who does this to children. How can they live with themselves knowing that they were told that a child is being abused and did nothing. It makes me so angry and heartbroken. I just have so many thoughts and feelings about all of this and It makes me so angry towards any religious group that knowingly ignores this happening to any child.
@@coll4455 And... it is so common among churches, and other organizations dealing with children. Abuse, and deny, and protect the abuser. As the children suffer.
I am incredibly moved by your bravery, Chelsea. I am at a loss for words for all that has happened to you. It’s maddening that your dad has gotten away with this…I have spent all day running my errands but my mind cant seem to get my mind off of your story. Thank you for showing us strength and grace. May God Bless you and your mom!
SO VERY SAD. I hope she can heal. I hope someone stops her dad. I hope the church and the people in it wake up to the lasting effects CSA has. My great grandfather was a predator. My parents kept me safe but there are still things that have effected me a generation away from it. I hope the whole family can heal.
Every single Mormon needs to talk to their kids and tell them under no circumstance should you ever go to the church to report abuse. The church cares about their image. They don’t care about kids.
Thank you Chelsea for your bravery and courage in telling your story. I am so sorry that this happened to you. My heart hurts so such for all of the damage that the Church has inflicted on so many due to their horrific teachings.
This makes me so angry. SO angry. The mormon church needs to pay for these atrocities. They have allowed abuse to flourish and they have protected predators. Their behavior is absolutely atrocious and it make me sick that they have let this continue. And we all know this isn't a one off case, there are hundreds if not thousands of stories just like this playing out now and in the past... It must stop. Thank you MSP for platforming this story and continuing to put pressure on the church. Thank you Chelsea for telling your story. Your words are going to do great things and help so many people. We stand behind you and support you and WE BELIEVE YOU. I know the names have been bleeped out for legal reasons but I want so badly for the names to be published. These people need to be PUBLICLY SHAMED for what they have done. They are disgusting, pathetic excuses for religious authority figures. I want to know their names. They need to face the consequences.
Thank you for being so brave Chelsea. There are many out there that find strength through listening & relating to your life experience. I believe there will always be those in power ( inclusive of churches here!) who will defend the institution(s) and therefore the perpetrators over the victims.
I have a very very similar story. I won last Nov and my father was sentenced to 6 years in prison and 4 years probation. He was in the young men's the whole time while I happened. I feel foe anyone who chooses to open up! Especially to help others!
I was abused as a child by a priesthood holder. It was kept mostly under wraps, so almost nobody knew, and he offended again. And again. I assumed that it was a unique scenario and of course the church was led by God, so I didn't really do anything about it. Then my daughter was abused by a trusted priesthood holder who was 13 (she was 9). We reported to the police and went through all the channels (and our bishop called the hotline and was told that because it didn't happen at church and because it had been reported to the police they didn't really care. For which I'm grateful, having learned what I have since then.) Then this young man's bishop and father came up to me and told me that they had received inspiration that he needed to be advanced in the priesthood "to help him maintain structure as he goes through this challenging time." Guess what happened next. You'll never guess. He offended again. And now he is going to BYU Idaho. This situation was a major lead weight on my shelf. I'm a little ashamed and embarrassed that it wasn't what crashed my shelf (that wouldn't come for another 3-4 years). This episode has been extremely hard to listen to... but extremely important. I want to thank Chelsea for her bravery in coming out and sharing this information. Organizations that foster and support abusers over victims are not of God, and people somehow need to wake up to this.
Aside from the mountain of horrors and abuse, which is insurmountable...notice how the dad is loaded yet is yelling at the family for spending money on a bargain double wedding at a free venue with bridal gowns ordered from online Chinese fast fashion retailer. This is such a dysfunctional dynamic in toxic families with one member having all the power/money. The abuser will pit family member against family member and reward allegiance with strategic attention and money. I am not surprised that Chelsea’s siblings chose to align with the father at critical times. This is the game of narcissistic abusers. The kids become pawns in the long con.
This is a very important interview but very painful to watch. I commend Chelsea’s courage in sharing her story. I hope it brings needed light to these problems in the community. John, your sensitive interviewing skills are on display here. Your clinical training comes through in your approach. Thank you,Margie, for your support and empathy of this lovely, brave guest.
My stomach hurt so bad watching this episode. She is a warrior absolutely a warrior. I can’t even imagine how difficult this is to experience and survive. I want to thank her for sharing her story because I believe not enough people understand the dynamics of this kinda of abuse and how horrible it is. I also can not understand how someone who does this to his children is protected by a church let alone still walking free
I love Margi's comments in this. The really sad thing about this story is that the victims were victimized again and again. These systems (churches, justice system) tell us that they are there yo protect the innocent. That doesn't seem to be how it works.
I want to thank Chelsea for sharing your story. It has touched me in such a deep way. I can't stop thinking of Chelsea and her mom since I first watched this video. I wish them all the peace and happiness this world can offer, after all they endured. You are both so brave and courageous, up against the Church and the justice system that has been unfair and unkind. You deserved to be protected and cared for. To be safe. I hope Chelsea and her mom know that people she doesn't know (like me) are cheering her on!!!!
The sheer # of people who had the opportunity & responsibility to help Chelsea, but chose not to, is unforgivable & shocking. While I’m not surprised that the Mormon church put their own “good name” above standing up for & doing what was right, the number of professionals in the legal field & law enforcement who refused to stand up for Chelsea & future potential victims just disgusts & horrifies me. It’s no wonder so many victims of abuse never come forward or are re-victimized by the very system that is supposed to advocate, protect, & seek justice for them. Chelsea is one of the most courageous people I’ve ever heard. To go thru years of psychological & SA by her father, & then years more fighting to be truly heard & justly represented would leave most people giving up the fight. The enormous psychological, physical, & financial toll is often too much. Chelsea not only didn’t stop, she went on to become a certified trauma therapist, helping others to heal as she continues to do so herself. That is a resilient example of someone taking their power back & becoming the author of their own life narrative. Lies, secrecy, & manipulation can fuel feelings of shame in way too many SA survivors, & Chelsea shining a light by publicly sharing her story leaves no place for shame, as it can’t survive in the light. I feel such anger & disbelief that a man who admitted his crimes of SA & where there was clear evidence of his crimes, is walking free today, not on the registry, & still practicing as a medical professional. How is that possible & why can’t the legal system right this wrong by holding John Goodrich fully accountable for the years of abuse & psychological manipulation inflicted on his daughter, but also, the drugging & r**e of Sheri? There is no question that the Mormon Church is complicit in Chelsea’s abuse & inability to receive justice. What’s worse, is that their actions in her case follow a similar pattern seen in way too many other cases of SA involving Mormon “clergy,” those in other high callings w/ in the church, Mormon-sanctioned Boy Scout leaders & therapists, & congregants perpetrating abuse on their own wives & children. Members & former members are increasingly coming forward & telling the world how complicit the church is. Will it lead to profound change in the church soon? Sadly, I don’t think enough will change soon enough given the long standing actions of the highest LDS leadership. Nothing against older aged white men, but in this case, they are woefully detached, ignorant about how large the problem is w/ in their church, & unwilling to take the aggressive steps necessary to foster true change & accountability. How about starting w/ comprehensive training on abuse & how to handle it in a way that children are protected & abusers are immediately removed from contact w/ any kids? How about background checks for all bishops? Those changes could make a major difference. Leadership at all levels of the church, especially the upper echelon, is composed of a good ol’ boy’s network, entrenched in their own egos, power & greed.
I have a story but no church that interfered. No family that helped. I’m 79 yo and your story is helping me currently. I was a screamer. Mom did not believe me. I was grounded for two years. I sent myself to college. I got Baptized and Dad threatened to cut me off. But cut me off from what. So I moved away for over 40 years. Lots more to the story. I got myself two MAs. Both Clinical and Industrial Psychology. I’m 79 yo now and still trying to figure out my life. Love and thank you. ❤
My heart is breaking for this brave woman. I pray that she is able to heal from the horrible abuse perpetuated on her by her abuser and the virtual repeat of the abuse by the LDS church.
This makes me sick! As an outsider, it’s appalling that an organization has the power to run and ruin so many lives. I just can’t imagine being controlled in every aspect of my life like this. I’m not sorry to say that I’d love to see her “Dad” get some prison justice! Much love, many happy thoughts and healing wishes to this beautiful, strong and brave lady. May she find peace, happiness and a loving relationship. 💕💕
I survived years of atrocious horrific crimes from my stepdad I tried to inform the authorities but the statute of limitations was passed. Only 5 years(?) I tried. And that started my journey to seek counseling. God will deal with them. It's hard when it's someone you trust and love and believe would never hurt you. Then they go and do the worst things that could ever happen, to destroy a life. They're sick. My perpetrator hid behind church worship and youth group as a cover up. He made me out to be the one who was the initiator. IMHO It's a war crime, against humanity. Always from small mountain towns too. Bigfork Montana is where I grew up. I heard that he passed away last year May 21st. God bless Chelsea and her healing. God help the souls of them sick men. God didn't make them that way. The devil did something to then too. They embraced their trauma and identified with it. I really empathize with You Chelsea. I appreciate your vulnerability and its giving me strength to be bold and show up, stand up, speak up for Gods justice for what's wrong and be an example of how to actually do right. God allows us to endure to help others out. From trafficking and all the abuses that occur. There is hope. I'm so proud of you. Congratulations on your settlement enjoy gaining more strength through your testimony. God bless you. 😊⛑✝️🙏🏽🤲🏽💝💖Do better for the victims and their perpetrators Amen
what a brave woman. I want to hug her. She was fighting so hard through her dissociation. I saw the moment she first recalled she looked terrified and then from there she is fighting her dissociation. What a monster he was to do this to her.
I have THREE cases of abuse in my life the Church is covering up and has threatened me to remain silent on. One case was while I was an employee of the Church in their Temple Department and tried to blow the whistle but was shut down by the HR department and Church legal. I am fighting back and want the truth to come out. It's definitely not easy to get the word out on what the Church is doing to victims.
The church that allowed this and covered it up is owed neither loyalty nor respect. Jesus talked about millstones around necks in this regard... As to NDAs, they're a contract and some contracts are illegal and unenforceable as matters of public policy. I think that NDAs to cover up child abusers would reasonably qualify as unenforceable, although local counsel should be consulted - and such counsel should be screened for conflict of interest, whether they disclose it or not.
This is up there with Adam’s interview in how raw and heartbreaking this is for the victims and their families. I hope all this will shed light on the darkness that has pervaded the church that is supposed to BE the light. Thank you Chelsea, for being so brave. Thank you John, Margi, and all the crew at MSP for giving the survivors a platform to speak out with their own voice and life experiences.
I relate so much to her feeling of "I wish I had done that". If I had proof like she did, I always wanted to believe that the justice system would work, but even with direct evidence it's still broken.
This is horrible and heartwrenching. The Church must CHANGE. Stop these policies and helplines that dont help victims. She is a brave woman. I wish her well.
Oh Chelsea, my dear. I am sooo terribly sorry that you have gone through all of this. I dont know if you remember, but John was also my bishop back then. With out going into details on here. Please just know, I personally support you and everything you are doing now to be heard.. Your story needs to be heard.
During my college time, I sat in on the weekly group meetings of a group whose primary participants were court ordered to be there. In addition to the perpetrators, there were the two psychologists who ran the group, another student type, and some survivors who came to try and better understand what had happened to them, and mostly to try and grasp the answer to their most pressing question: typically that was "Why me?". Of course, I am not at liberty to discuss what went on in the group. It's enough to say my heart wept every week. But as hard as that was, what is sad is when perpetrators like John Goodrich evade and avoid, and deprive themselves of any opportunities for help by using every mechanism available to them to persist in public denial. And Chelsea summed it up beautifully: you really want to help people who are struggling with such things, you let them have consequences. And if you fail to do that, no matter how good your intentions are, you now get to own at least a share of the guilt and responsibility for all of their future victims that could have been avoided had they faced consequences. I hope every person in a leadership position in the church who has the balls to listen to this episode and read these comments will just say "no" to the church's lawyers and report and testify regardless the consequences. If enough men of valor stand up in this manner and refuse to be quelled, the church will be forced to change their approach in this area. I mean, seriously: what have you got to lose? Your ecclesiastical calling isn't your career. And who will ultimately hold it against you for doing the right thing in support of victims and stopping future victims when the perp's repentance inevitably gives way to their untreated needs? My heart wept today. Thank you for your grace and bravery, Chelsea.
