VIRGINIA
Loudoun Times-Mirror
Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2015 by Crystal Owens
Chassadi Thompson was 14 when she found herself standing outside a Loudoun County gas station one night with nothing but the clothes on her back.
Thompson was dumped there in 2003, she said, by members of Calvary Temple, a Sterling-based Pentecostal church off Tripleseven Road, after spending at least six hours being questioned by some of the church’s leadership – including the man whom she had just accused of sexual assault.
Now 26, the Maryland woman, along with one other victim, have come forward, alleging rampant sexual assault within the church among members of its leadership, teachers and teacher’s aides.
The women paint a disturbing picture of an atmosphere where physical and sexual abuse were not only tolerated and encouraged, but “taken care of” within the church should a victim come forward.
But Thompson and the other woman, whose name is being withheld by the Times-Mirror because she fears for her safety, say they can’t stay silent anymore.
By breaking their silence, they’re hoping to find closure.
Liz Mills, spokeswoman for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, said March 19 that detectives are investigating allegations against the church.
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