Minnesota minister told girls that ‘God’s word’ made raping them normal

[struggle4progress]

11. Alleged cult leader Victor Barnard charged with molesting 'Maidens'

Posted: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 10:05 AM EDT
Updated: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 3:27 PM EDT
by Tom Lyden

... The women, now adults, were members of the River Road Fellowship along with their parents and about 140 followers. The women told FOX 9 that when they were just 12 and 13 years old, and with their parents permission, they went to live with Barnard at a place called Shepherd's Camp near the town of Finlayson, Minn., where they were part of a group of 10 young women known as the Maidens ...

The girls were tasked with tending to Barnard, who dressed like Jesus and told them his word was the word of God -- but beginning when the girls were 12 and 13, they were told to visit Barnard's cabin. That's where they say they were sexually abused by Barnard, who even asked their parents permission ...

Schweiss tracked the sexual encounters with Barnard in her calendar, and on Tuesday, every one of those X marks became a felony charge. Even so, it's a bittersweet moment because if he is caught and brought to trial, Schweiss knows she may have to testify against her own parents, who are still with the group.

"I don't look at them as my parents anymore," she admitted. "They weren't the parents I wanted or needed. My parents, the people I grew up with as a child, don't exist anymore" ...

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/25250672/alleged-cult-leader-victor-barnard-charged-sexual-assault