Protesters of Hephzibah House once again descended upon Warsaw Monday.
Approximately 60 former students, citizens and family members were on hand to voice their concerns about the private boarding school for teenage girls in Winona Lake that is associated with Believer's Baptist Church.
In a handout given to passersby, the group calling themselves "survivors" of the school describe the program there as "abusive."
"My experience was pretty much like everyone else's," said protester Gabriella Fleury who detailed instances of abuse and forced physical exams.
Women from throughout the country were in Warsaw Monday.
"When asked about (the allegations of abuse) they claim they don't remember," said Jennifer Singleton about the staff of Hephzibah House. Singleton came from Virginia to join the protest.
While this isn't the first time the group has protested Hephzibah House, a law awaiting a vote on the U.S. Senate floor may help their cause.
The Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2009 will require both public and private programs to meet minimum standards in terms of student care.
A recent reunion of former Hephzibah House students saw 70 women attend. The students included those who attended the school in the 1980s, 1990s and one woman who attended as late as 2004."We call ourselves survivors," said Fleury. "We all shared the same experience. We were isolated, endoctrinated and cut off from the world and our families."
For more information on the group effort, visit www.formerhephzibahgirls.webs.com
