MINNESOTA
WDIO
[with video]
The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests said neighbors in Pine County could have done more to help victims of sexual assault.
Victor Barnard, the former leader of a Finlayson religious group, is charged with almost 60 crimes. He allegedly abused girls who were in what he called a “maidens group.”
Verne Wagner, with the survivor’s group, said he thinks the community knew something was going on.
“Communities are really good at keeping secrets,” Wagner said. “They are afraid to get involved. They don’t want to make accusations. They don’t want to cause trouble for the neighbors, but something like this was going on under everyone’s nose and nothing was done about it.”
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