This is part eight in a series. For the rest of the series, go here.
Crikey has received the following statement from Esther Foundation founder Patricia Lavater in response to new allegations we are publishing today from women who attended the foundation’s rehab facility, Esther House:
“These allegations predominantly come from the conception years of the Esther House. It is difficult to convey the complexities of the running of a rehabilitation program over a period of 30 years.
“And while these allegations that have been presented in this forum lack context, I respect the opportunity for ex-participants to express their truths.
“I do care about each and every participant that came through the program and I deeply apologise for any hurt or trauma caused to any individuals.
“I am more than happy to address these issues in an appropriate mediated setting with myself if they wish.
“God bless.”
Another psychopathic religious hypocrite using their power to create hell on earth using the fiction of saving their souls. If there was a hell after death, as there is in life, they would be going there.
I was a resident for over 3 years and can confirm that the Esther Foundation has only done more harm than good!
8 years later myself & other friends are still coming to terms with the abuse we were put through & trying to gain control over our lives.
Esther Foundation needs to be shut down!
Patricia lavata is now working for another religious rehabilitation organisation!
After being told to stand down from the Esther Foundation between 2019 to 2020 her role in the Esther Foundation was beginning to unravel during that time after finally being reported by staff members for abuse to the workers.
The board of the Esther Foundation took a stand as well as the Multiple women who came forward to report her to the detectives in February of 2020, which helped inforce the board of the Esther Foundation to remove her and other staff member crossing the line.
Staff members where not paid fare wages and were verbally abused by the head coordinator of the Esther Foundation.
The staff where treated as residents and would be harrased on a daily basis aswell as being hot seated during staff meetings to pull them down to bend them to her will.
Patricia would use pack mentality to pull staff member and residents to do what she saw fit.
Multiple people who knew what was happening behind closed doors tried Multiple times to help shape the Esther Foundation to be run more ethically.
Patricia refuse Multiple times to change the way that the Esther Foundation was run.
She used her abuse of power to get what she wanted when she wanted and didnt care who she abused in the process.
Unfortunately alot of Ex Esther Women cannot trust her apologises anymore as she has refused Multiple times to change or truly be sensere, she has lied to us too many times to be believed she has scared alot of women into silence and kept them in hiding because of the fear and threats she instilled into there lives.
The abuse has to be stopped and we are pleading to the law and government to protect the current men and women and families from suffering anymore abuse.
We beg for the women who are currently still in the Esther Foundation to be protected from suffering anymore harm.
And perhaps legislation to be passed to protect the people in religious organisations.
And the current traumatised men and women and families who are wanting justice and support from the actions done to them.
I’m shocked as a former supporter of EH.. but have been encouraged that at lweast with that government funding , proper accountability has been instituted and am satisfied that there is a whole new oversight – it won’t happen again. I have my personal beef which is with one of the Psychologists who was also propagating their own brand of abuse outside the organisation. It does appear that there was a certain “Symbiotic enabling”. If anyone has experience to share I’d be keen to hear from them .. marex@iinet.net.au Steve Marshall.
Not surprising that an organisation rooted in religious hypocrisy is also dedicated to abuse and destruction of its victims. Not at all surprising that it also the type of outfit our prime minister supports with public money.
Words, words words. If the reports are correct there is a failure that is aruguably due to more than just establishing the facility.
What’s a ‘deep apology’ anyway? Is that the same as a ‘sincere’ apology or something new that pentecostal marketing has concocted?