A group of women who allegedly experienced abuse while working for Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) — a nonprofit that claims to fight sex trafficking, and was behind the summer blockbuster Sound of Freedom — are speaking out via a lawyer, Suzette Rasmussen. On Thursday, the attorney released a statement from the women, who are all remaining anonymous.
“Our involvement with Operation Underground Railroad was rooted in our commitment to fighting against human trafficking,” the women said in a statement. “But while engaging in that noble cause, we were subjected to sexual harassment, spiritual manipulation, grooming, and sexual misconduct.
“Though we value our privacy as we work to rebuild our lives, we also feel a responsibility to speak out and state unequivocally that these allegations are true,” they continued. “We acknowledge the risks involved in challenging someone as prominent as [OUR founder and former CEO] Tim Ballard. We will reveal our stories in our own time and on our own terms, but for now, we choose to remain anonymous.”
A rep for Ballard did not respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment in time for publication.
Ballard recently stepped down from his role at the organization amid accusations of sexual misconduct. Vice reported that seven women claimed he had made unwelcome advances toward them, asking them variously to pretend to be his wife while on trips abroad. He allegedly would ask them to sleep in the same bed with him and shower with him. He...
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