I was not a victim, but know of someone who turned out to be an abuser.
He is an elder from my mission Guatemala ’93-’95 I was never his companion, but he was frequently in my Zone.
When I replaced him in an area, I thought it strange at the time how everyone kept saying how amazing and “Christlike” he was with the kids. Turns out he was hiding a problem.
I am certain (strong suspicions, but no proof) that bad things happened during his mission. If he was found out, confessed, or disciplined I do not know. But maybe if the church were transparent and less PR concerned, maybe these 4h kids could have been spared abuse?
The church’s purity culture and secrecy harms innocent kids. Thank you for doing this work.