The DOWNFALL of The Duggars: the NIGHTMARE Family who Won’t Stop LYING

[@PettyUniversity]

My pettiness is overflowing today… what topics do you want me to cover next? Leave a comment! > Go to buyraycon.com/swoop for 15% off your order! Brought to you by Raycon. > OMG! Get your new Petty University Dropout apparel here! : bit.ly/PettyUniversity

[@amandareed4689]

I’m sure you’re already being spammed on this but the Murdaugh case!

[@devinsauls9137]

The controversy surrounding the Protest Dhar Mann movement. Dhar Mann is getting called out for allegedly not paying his ex actors enough, putting them under bad working conditions and not showing up for a meeting. It got so bad to the point of them protesting and creating their own KZbin Channel Good Werks Productions

[@dvs7392]

I’d love to see a doc on comedians coming back from being “cancelled” like Louis CK

[@canned_bananas]

Whatever you cover next im begging for a "you heard that Raven?" I need more names in the callouts 😂

[@isabellajensen9480]

Pamela Anderson

[@isabella2513]

I don’t know why, but hearing you say “Parentification is a form of child abuse” made me cry. Finally. Someone said it. I was raised by my mother VERY similarly to the Duggar’s and raised 4 of my 5 siblings because my mother said it was my responsibility. Hearing you call it out for what it is………thank you.

[@blablablaj]

How are you now

[@allyw94aw]

I tell my husband this. Because it is. Losing your childhood and parenting siblings is abuse. You're feelings are valid. I hope you're doing better.

[@lei3771]

My mom treated my oldest sister that way too. There is 6 of us. My sister at 3 was basically forced to raise all 5 of us

[@Jenna-Roo]

Prayers to anyone who has endured the filth and greed at their expense 🙏🏻😔🥺🤔🤫🤨🧐😲😳🤯

[@tomcruisesmiddlefronttooth9221]

Your trauma and feelings are valid. I hope you’re finding healing ❤

[@kpax2066]

If they blame the women for men sexually abusing them, then how does that work when all the Duggar daughters were modest dressers when Josh abused them? How is that possible? Their framework breaks down in their own family FFS. How do they not see that? Cognitive dissonance, right there.

[@katrinascarlet5637]

Man I would've been "asking for it" in their home. I had an unfortunate incident that required a doctor to slice open my upper inner thigh so for a week I chilled on strong meds in a huge t shirt and undies because I couldn't wear shorts or leggings since they rubbed the wound.

[@jwoolman5]

One of the children he molested was about five or six years old. He did it while she was on his lap during of all things some Bible study, if I recall correctly. Hence the rule they instituted about no sitting on "big boys" laps.... The older ones were in bed at the time so they were pretty well covered. It never has to do with how a girl or woman is dressed. I've been harassed and threatened by men on the street or in cars passing by while wearing clothing just short of a burka. I covered up better than a nun in an old-fashioned habit (I burn in the sun). No tight clothing either, I have to wear it loose because I can't stand any pressure against my skin. The whole idea that guys do things to us because of how we are dressed is simply ridiculous. Any woman who walks for any significant amount of time without a man or child by her side can probably tell you that, unless she has been extraordinarily lucky in life. I've had to duck into stores or once into a neighbor's house just to make sure that the men wouldn't know where I lived. I've sometimes decided to just stay home because I did my feel like dealing with it that day. It's intimidation that does affect and limit our lives. And brothers don't do such things to their sisters out of "curiosity". Anyone who grew up with a brother can testify to that. It was a serious danger sign that his parents ignored. Early intervention might have had a chance at modifying his behavior, but they never got him the therapy he needed. His inclinations are probably baked in by now. Not a great success rate with adults. They really need to keep him from unsupervised contact with children for the rest of his life, but not supervised by his naive wife who lets him control everything.

[@ThatGirlJD]

​@@jwoolman5That "curiosity" was probably ignited by the family friend they filled the police report. The same police officer that spent time in prison for CP, a few years after the family confided in him.

[@ErinH-430]

Well, we know one of his sisters was 5 (and we know he enjoys CSA younger than that) and sitting on his lap while he digitally penetrated her. But something that is in that religious doctrine is severe corporal punishment from a very young age, including inflicting pain on a baby who crawls off a blanket or bites while breastfeeding. My daughter went through a biting stage, but she would do it and laugh. I couldn’t inflict pain on my own baby.

[@jwoolman5]

@@ThatGirlJD - Josh was into porn before the law enforcement guy who was a kiddie porn addict "talked" to him, I think. Someone whose family was begifted with the Duggars old computers said that when he was about ten (Josh would have been probably 14-15, he was the Duggars' computer guy by then) he was fooling around with the new arrival and saw something weird on the hard disk, maybe undeleted trash, can't remember. He was disturbed enough by just thumbnails or titles that he told his parents right away. It was definitely some kind of porn, don't know if it involved children or not. It's much better now, so the browsers have managed to kick off the porn sites interfering in routine searches. But back in the earlier days of the web and easy access to home computers, it was so easy for kids to latch on to porn sites. I do a lot of web searching for my work and it was so annoying having to get through all the porn hits to get to the info I needed. They really just overwhelmed the informational hits, and I was researching areas like chemistry and physics and microbiology and clinical trials! Nothing remotely related to porn. Since I did medically related work, I couldn't just tell the browser to block explicit language, although eventually I blocked explicit images after some unfortunate accidental clicks... I just get angry when I see that cr*p even just in a search list so it wasn't good for my morale. Or my blood pressure. I was also interested in reviewing video games aimed at kids in particular (not into war and fighting and world domination games) and saw that the porn sites embedded kid-friendly words like Disney/Nickelodeon shows and actors and singers and video games appealing to kids into the source pages for the site, so even though the words didn't obviously appear on the sites themselves, they would be revealed to search engines and pop up in searches. They were clearly trying to get kids to click on them for free samples and then buy access to more by stealing mom's credit card from her purse. Anyway, it would be quite easy for Josh to encounter internet porn as a young teen. I think he was that old around the time I was being annoyed by the constant onslaught of porn hits myself. That would have been about 20 years or so ago and he is in at least his mid-30s now. Around the same time, a friend had to actually pull the plug on his computer to turn it off quickly when a child/teen porn image suddenly popped up on his computer while his young kids were milling around in the same room. He did not want to have that discussion with his kids at the time.... He was a reference librarian, and he said it was a constant problem at work also. He would be doing a search for a library patron and suddenly these porn images would pop up. They were really aggressive about getting their wares out to as many people as possible, looking for the few who would want more. And Josh was certainly one of the few. That doesn't mean that porn is why he molested his sisters. He might have been molested himself, it's not as though his parents could pay that much attention to one kid amongst the crowd, and even parents with one child can be caught unawares by such molestation. If someone in the family or close to the family did something to him, I can see why he wouldn't want to tell his wackadoodle parents. The pamphlets they were using for homeschooling emphasized that someone who was sexually abused was the one mainly responsible for it, that they did something to tempt the other person.

[@PhilHubbs02]

As a drummer myself, it warms my heart they view me as an instrument of the devil, when clearly… they can’t see actual evil in front of their own faces.

[@WhatTheWHAT524]

​@@alwaysflushinpublicSo glad you were able to get out. To recognize what was really happening. I wish you the absolute best. I hope you are living your best life and are able to continue moving forward and healing well. Best wishes to you and yours! Thanks for sharing! I can't imagine that being easy.

[@monus782]

That’s fundamentalism in a nutshell, I was into that sort of stuff during my high school and college years and I was so concerned over the same things fundies get mad about that I didn’t have a “are we the baddies?” moment until I was already on my way out and during those years I was hanging out with literal fascists on sites like Facebook since my politics already overlapped quite a bit with theirs. I don’t know if I was straight up evil myself during that time but for sure I was not a good person not least since I was the usual sanctimonious and hypocritical a-hole you see so often in these spaces because that’s what happens when you’re convinced you’re following God’s will and everyone else is wrong. That’s how you get groups like ISIS and the Taliban and we were the Christian version of that.

[@marniekilbourne608]

Yes, one of God's biggest problems with us...drums.

[@BubblesandSudz]

✅️

[@BubblesandSudz]

On the bright side...1 out of 19...isnt bad just thankful no more ..its terrifying..makes me wonder what happened to him. What did he see what did they do? Simply not horrified or literally ill when the worst law enforcement had EVER seem Was revealed

[@mels-bells14]

Michelle's crazy eyes when she says they don't let "littles sit in big boys laps" activates my flight reflex. Ick! When I was babysitting as a teenager, occasionally my brother would babysit instead of me if I had plans or something. And you know what? No one involved was ever remotely concerned to leave their children with him! Because he didn't assault children! This is basic stuff!

[@jeannabeckman7424]

Exactly my mom is very comfortable letting my brother baby sit my siblings and I when we were kids because guess what he didn't abuse kids as well idk why it's hard for ppl to understand that abusing kids isn't okay 😩

[@livtempleton]

"We don't let boys babysit" because... the assumption is that boys are just going to sexually abuse their siblings? And yeah thanks for calling out her crazy eyes, that clip made my skin crawl

[@amandag8194]

It's almost like she absolutely knew.

[@Struudeli]

Yeah exactly, there's nothing wrong with a big brother cuddling with his little sisters... AS LONG AS HE IS NOT A PEDOPHILE. The problem is not that he's a boy. The problem is that he's a pedophile.

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

What about that weird little girl voice, she sounds like she was starved of oxygen at birth.

[@tessmiller7943]

I literally cannot get over the irony of her being upset for young girls safety about women in womens bathrooms, while her own SON on MULTIPLE OCCASIONS sa’ed her daughters

[@KnockedupNout]

Well maybe if the girls hadn't slept in such provocative positions... (😭 I joke but it's actually a really sad and scary experience 0/10 would not recommend ☹️)

[@aureliatorkington9380]

You’re so right. The people making the accusations are usually the ones guilty of it :// the US government trained them well

[@curiouscollective8572]

The rate of SA in religious communities would shock you

[@bold_n_brash]

I think it’s directly related. if their godly son is capable of it, then those depraved weirdos MUST be ten times worse!! plus it’s unfortunately common in high control religions, meaning they probably saw it to some extent as “the norm.” it’s projection.

[@irelandfromattilio4505]

I can't believe they left Josie- who apparently had a history of an unspecified seizure disorder that could flare up at any time- in the care of another child, a child who would obviously be terrified and traumatized if her little sister had a seizure. A fifteen-minute seizure is really worrying and they put this in the hands of her older sister.

[@KiraBKADestroyerOfWorlds]

Wait, but wasn't the grandmother also there? That seems to be getting completely skipped over.

[@irelandfromattilio4505]

@@KiraBKADestroyerOfWorlds It gets completely skipped over because the sister was the only one acting. The grandmother was off to the side, barely in shot, and was helplessly telling the girl what to do. Grandmother also clearly had no idea what to do

[@AprilW-ls6bd]

I never forget that !!!

[@StelaraWhitmore]

@@irelandfromattilio4505I am not defending them but she was on the phone with 911, and Janna was 23/24 years old at the time of this episode.

[@StonedHunter]

This family alone just proves how these 'beliefs' are often only being held as a means for horrible men to hold power over women and make themselves feel powerful. The fact that Jim Bob didn't hesitate to parade his children around on the very television he refused to let them watch says it all. If you want some serious full coverage of the Duggars I'd recommend Fundie Fridays as she's been covering the family for a while.

[@TheMoneyBeetss]

Fundie Fridays 💞

[@CraftyWitch420]

I would love to see Swoop and Jen get together and talk about the Duggers

[@JuriAmari]

@@CraftyWitch420 I’d watch that!

[@bwendy2]

Thank you swoop. You’re awesome

[@sarahshroom]

@@CraftyWitch420 dream team omg

[@bam4511]

Currently pressing charges for assault and a family member literally publicly blamed me, called me a liar (despite needing surgery for my injuries and the repeated threats from my assailants AND the two witnesses), and has cut me and various family members out of his family's lives because "if anything happened I asked for it through actions." Thank you, Auntie Swoop. Needed to hear your words as a fellow survivor today.

[@5050TM]

Jesus Christ I hope you fucking win and f that family member !

[@woofawoof7616]

Supporting you 🙏

[@Littlemsambitious]

You have my support

[@roberta_redactedF]

You have got this. I believe you, and so will the courts. From one survivor to another, Go kick ass. Hugs. Xo

[@jennycoyle8204]

Healing and strength sent to you with so much love 💗🦋

[@pmmarie93]

"Legal definition is 16 and up for being an adult preying on a child." Sir, have several seats. He knew good and well wtf he was doing. That's why he waited until they were sleeping. Less chance of getting caught. They were all premeditated. He's DISGUSTING.

[@victowave7066]

The fact that Michelle called trans women using public bathrooms predators, while covering her own son's heinous behavior on national television gives me a lot of whiplash.

[@kathleenuclear]

Her son is a DANGEROUS man, how dare she go after a group of people who are just trying to exist in skin that they're comfortable in. Meanwhile, her son has just continued to get worse since his very first offense. SMH.

[@harmc2301]

Not only is it disturbing and gross, but she also doesn’t seem to think that same sex abuse can happen. Men AND women can be sexual abusers.

[@carriew2706]

Michelle’s baby voice is creepy as hell as well.

[@kathleenuclear]

@@carriew2706 YES, it's so bad. Also the way she looks at Jim Bob is *intense*.

[@FabiolaRVela]

That’s the good ol’ religious nut projection for you.

[@spiceupyourafterlife]

I feel for Jill when she mentions seeing her father in a different light since moving out and living her own life because that’s how I felt about my parents since flying the nest. When you’ve been brought up in an unstable and toxic environment, you don’t realize just how toxic and unstable it is until you see it from another perspective. I really hope she and her sisters can heal from this.

[@ErinH-430]

You can bet the younger girls won’t be allowed to marry men who have any kind of education from normal colleges like Derrick and Jeremy. I think Jill is the only one getting real therapy.

[@rowanquynn9964]

My first year on my own was like blow after blow of realizing how awful my childhood was. Even now I'm shocked by the way people react to my childhood. Like yeah it was bad, but it was that bad? Oh

[@tomcruisesmiddlefronttooth9221]

@@rowanquynn9964 dude ffr. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I moved STATES.

[@GargeBarge]

Oh my gooooood yes

[@gatordragon8824]

I didn't realize my domestically violent home life wasn't normal until I went to my state's boarding school for super nerds. I described my family to my new group of friends, which I had never had, and the looks of shock and horror confused me. They then very gently asked me if I realized that my situation was not normal, abusive, and that most teenage girls do not live in fear of their father while protecting a mom and brother. I was 16.

[@evamagness5732]

I love the fact that Jim Bob says “We teach them that the world doesn’t revolve around them.” But it revolves around you Jimmy boy? All of those kids need a lifetime of therapy to undo all of the trauma that their parents caused

[@user-um8zt2ke8o]

That and the plethora of cameras and film crew following them around for years recording their every move, but no no we definitely teach them the world doesn't revolve around them!

[@dawnbreaker2912]

Dude has Beavis & Butt-head nostrils.

[@AshChiCupcak]

​@dawnbreaker2912 Bahahaha now that you've said it, I can't unsee it.

[@242NubianQueen]

Exactly

[@95theoutcast]

I didn't even think about the irony of them not letting their kids watch any reality TV to protect them....but then letting their children be blasted all over the same TV space!

[@seameology]

Money bends a lot of morals.

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@95theoutcast Love ur screen name. Also, I grew up IBLP. I never once saw the show but was in the "behind the scenes" cult shit going on at the time. 1) JB was already viewed as sus 2) when he did the mag. photo he was deemed as "in need of divine clarity" 3) after the 1st special whispers of demonic influence circled. JB began tithing $$$ & Mr Gothard declared him a missionary. There was jealousy & most youth were told not speak to with any Duggars. No TV means limited such as approved Christian shows like Veggie Tales. Despite Mr G's approval families took sides. JB stormed out of his local IFB church, the denomination Mr G said to attend, when they would not allow him to run the place and after Josh was banned from entering the church nursery. IBLP is not an actual church but is tax exempt. JB began his own "home church". Odd? "Burn your cabbage patch dolls" in the 1990's. Mr G said there were computer chips implanted in the ass of the dolls which carried demons. If your child had 1 then your child needed something like an exorcism. I loved my cabbage patch doll! Never forget this group believes that God's laws take precedence over man's laws. I never read about how Mr Bates (currently head of IBLP) kicked the whole Duggar fam out of his home for something Josh did while visiting. I am aware of recent shit going on only because I still have family and a few friends still involved. My fellow escapee has advised me to not watch that new Prime doc as it triggered her but if I do - time for popcorn!

[@SalviAlmighty]

The whole Josh situation just proves how broken their whole mentality is. Because why the hell wouldn't you let your kids play hide and seek together because there's a boy and a girl? Not letting younger kids sit on their male family members laps?? It's like they KNEW there was real and imminent danger there. The fact that their children were so sheltered they literally had no one outside the family to speak or interact with... OF COURSE there was bound to be some weird stuff happening.

[@stephaniekampf8205]

They made the rules after what Josh did

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@salvialmighty3166 I was raised in this, did not personally know the Duggs. The IBLP teaches young children that no male is ever responsible for sexual offenses. They do believe Josh is innocent(bc he is male, bc an immodestly dressed woman lit the fire and he had to act out, bc he confessed and prayed) and the girls were the problem. The BS says any male who sees an adult immodestly dressed F in public has no option but to act out with a wife, a sister... Do not forget!!! When this family or anyone in the cult says ALL victims receive counseling they area actually referring to pastoral counseling. Sure! His sisters received counseling in the form of a preacher or church elder prayed over them. That is what they label as therapy/counseling. A quick prayer and be on your way as a restored healthy individual.

[@KiraBKADestroyerOfWorlds]

Ok, the whole not allowing kids to play hide and seek I don't really understand, but not sitting in the laps of strange men, or men other than their dad, doesn't strike me as particularly odd; my mom didn't let us do that either.

[@RozyPoyo]

​@@KiraBKADestroyerOfWorldsas someone who has about half as many siblings as the Duggars had: it is almost unimaginably strange that NONE of the boys could carry/hold ANY of the girls. They absolutely knew what their son did and collectively punished the children. Hoisting more responsibility onto the girls and alienating the boys towards their sisters, whether they did something wrong or not

[@misterwinkybluff]

​@@alwaysflushinpublicI guess his sisters must’ve been immodestly dressed in their sleep.

[@theladylunaravens]

As someone with epilepsy I cannot even fathom the thought of my first seizure being aired on a popular TV show. Like holy hell it's traumatic to even think about. That poor girl my heart absolutely breaks for her I didn't know that happened and honestly shame on TLC and the cameramen for filming that and for leaving it in.

[@laurenbrooks3091]

This entire thing makes me feel sick. Josh only got 12 years in prison? Anyone who sexually abuses children should be locked up for life. I have zero doubts that he was abusing his kids.

[@kaelin_cherise]

Just pull him out of solitary and let his fellow inmates take care of it. Call it "prison yard justice."

[@alim.9801]

​@@kaelin_cherise I'm usually mostly a pacifist but if that happened...I'm not gonna say a thing

[@Mostlyharmless1985]

Criminals who hurt children don’t have a good time in prison. Prisons COs aren’t dumb, they wait for the attention to die down, 12 years is a long time, it’s usually a life sentence…

[@k.d.5603]

​@@Mostlyharmless1985He's in a specific part of the prison where people like him are put together "for their safety." They segregate them from all of the other inmates except those with the same crimes. So they get to chat freely about their shared interests without threats to their lives or judgment. He was found with a phone not too long ago and was placed in lockdown on his own. I believe violations like that may add days onto his sentence. Could be wrong on that but it certainly doesn't look good to a judge or parole board. He said he would be a model prisoner and follow all the rules and he broke a major rule in less than a year.

[@glitchberry327]

Locked up for life, and death as well. Death penalty. No take-backs.

[@zebraskin]

My mom comes from a similar cult, so I'm once removed from the situation, but this was a big thing in my family, too. My family is huge, and my great uncle CSA'd every girl of my moms generation, including his own 5 daughters. Nothing ever happened to him. I was told to never go around him at reunions and things. He lived well into his 80s if not 90s. The girls were taught to blame themselves, and my mom still deals with a lot of her trauma. I hope all of the Duggars girls (well all of the kids really) get therapy.

[@pattytracey3131]

With real, certified therapists not associated with any cult.

[@tiffprendergast]

@@pattytracey3131 yup

[@matthewlujan844]

I’m so glad you where able to rise above, and your mom got out.

[@SummersPsycheDelicates]

That's so terrifying. All those lives affected. He didn't deserve a legacy so influential. Evil. I'm glad you're out of it and I hope you are both doing well

[@shannap.lawnerd125]

And TLC should be paying for every damn second of any counseling those siblings/family members need. Never, NEVER, are ratings or money more important than CHILDREN BEING SAFE!! 🤬🤦🏻‍♀️ This show ALWAYS gave me the creeps, but the dismissive way Dugger parents “addressed Joshua’s issues” was DISGUSTING. Those innocent children didn’t deserve any of that, and definitely deserve people in their lives that actually CARE about their trauma & help them to understand what happened was NOT THEIR FAULT & get whatever care they need to help them after such a horrific thing. As a mother, the way these gold digging Bible thumping HYPOCRITES speak about the CRIMES perpetrated BY & ON THEIR OWN KIDS makes my temper flare up to Chernobyl levels. 🤬🤬👿 I hope that they have a neighbor who will constantly practice their skills on a drum set 🥁 every 5mins until eternity. (Since eternity is an important thing to these folks who only live maybe a few decades, I guess.) Thank you, @Swoop. Keep being awesome.🤓🤘🏽💋🔮⚖️

[@hydroplayne]

imagine getting over the fact that your husband molested his sisters (idk how ana did that but whatev), then he CHEATS ON YOU and you’re like ok we have 5 kids yknow we’re married we can get over this… and then he goes to PRISON for owning images of CSA. and you STILL DEFEND THAT HE IS A GOOD MAN. wild. wild.

[@242NubianQueen]

Sick

[@gemlikepotahto6442]

I have been WAITING for this! I grew up in the same world as the Duggars, and they were practically worshipped in my ex-church. Thankfully, I left that world, and even better, my family left with me.

[@originalewalk]

SAME!!!! he literally was sent to my exchurch/cult for 'reform' in 2015...then last year it was revealed that there was tons of SA happening to children at the church/cult, and had been for years. its WILD that people are really finally talking about this on a larger scale!!

[@TheWholeEntireCake]

As lame as it sounds, I’m incredibly proud of you and your family, and anyone for that matter, who escapes extremist religions. Many don’t or can’t escape and it takes an immense amount of strength to do so. Kudos to you and your family!

[@originalewalk]

@@TheWholeEntireCake i certainly don’t want to speak for them, but having also been raised in this kind of environment…i can’t imagine this comment’s OP would find anything that you said lame 💞💞💞 supportive comments from people really are so healing and grounding!!

[@akiko7298]

I know its not right to rejoice at someone's downfall but man, I was very satisfied when he got convicted. I grew up at a church who loved them and their lifestyle. Fortunately my parents didn't believe that and they taught me to think so I only believed a few years in hs then I was like this is bs.

[@Rain_Reign]

You are so strong and courageous to have escaped that ♥️

[@needguccithanks2258]

my family followed this religion and i have HORROR stories behind it. it was so traumatizing. everything Jinger said in her interview about it is true, the fear mongering was insane. i’m so glad i was about to think for myself and come out of such oppression

[@kelliewellshorsens6564]

I’m so sorry! We are rooting for you… I admire your strength! If you ever share a video or experience on KZbin please let me know! I see that you’ve overcome some ugly things and I truly want you to know YOU are worthy of BETTER and true love. ❤😢

[@rachelwebb2330]

oh good on you,!! this truly is, i think the hardest thing a person can do - to leave a belief system esp when there is fear and control in the picture, I really admire you and I hope you realise you are an especially special and unique person, not everyone can do that, really you deserve the world, I hope all goes as you want it to be, you are a champion.

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@needguccithanks2258 I empathize with you. so glad you broke away. It took me 12 yrs to escape good ole' Big Sandyland. Do you know of a page for survivors of IBLP? I'm aware of FB IBLP recovery. Plz let me know if there are more out there. I never saw the show for reasons of avoiding triggers. I do look up YT docs occasionally when I now I am in a good space. Do you ever feel like "you guys don't know the 1/2 of it"?

[@BarbieTano]

Found swoop through the toxic gossip train and obsessed with her documentaries now. My fifth one and I love how supportive she is of lgbt people, sex workers and spiritual people. As a trans of Jesus, I love you blue queen.

[@alim.9801]

She seems like not only a great video journalist (along with her team) but like genuinely caring/compassionate too!! I found Swoop thru her video on the illuminaugtii drama and I'm so glad I did, she's amazing

[@akeyah921]

Trans of Jesus is sending me and i love that ✨

[@accioyoongi]

found her when she let us know what mykie did, was a fan of her then became a huge supporter of swoop. she’s really one of the few youtubers i enjoy.

[@ARoseRisen]

God bless you ❤️🙏

[@dinadina2000]

And I too support you as a trans of Jesus and know that that your phrasing of transgender Christian assumed me greatly

[@Kadev011]

As someone who has epilepsy (seizures frequently), I would be SO MAD if anyone recorded it and even showed it to my family, let alone THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. Seizures are serious, and cause death. It's not an opportunity to have drama on your f*ck*ng tv show.

[@lokischild5170]

Same thoughts here! I would sue if that happened to me!

[@alim.9801]

I have epilepsy too and just hearing about that was kind of triggering for me honestly. I had to look away from the video in case a clip was played. Having a seizure or even just seeing that happen is so fcking scary, I can't imagine being recorded during such a horrifying moment and then not only the whole world being able to see it but then like potentially coming across that footage of myself later...it's just so disgusting and horrifying. And the fact the crew just stood by and did nothing, like I've been in situations like that were people just stand by and it makes me SO angry. I hope that girl is OK. Hearing about that was just anger inducing

[@KillJoy_Since2017]

Literally

[@sinandtonic2029]

I was just coming to say this same thing. Waking up from a seizure (for me) is so confusing, terrifying, painful and kind of embarrassing. Video taping someone going through that for the first time is beyond shameful.

[@SaigesArstgo1031]

I was so confused by a film crew not having a paramedic on site. You guys have an entire film crew but you dont have any medical staff? Because im praying they had no medical staff and it wasnt the medical staff stood by as a CHILD had a SEIZURE.

[@back2good474]

Let me get this straight we as women are to obey everything men tell us to do but they can’t even control their own actions and thoughts?!?! How does that work ?

[@dleehou1982]

How dare you question these things n try to make sense out of it, your simple female brain can't comprehend lol. They're ridiculous.

[@ryanlewandowsky2077]

I guess you are too smart to be a religious cult member! Good for you and excellent point!

[@tiffprendergast]

This stuff isn’t in the Bible. Their rules are twisted into lies

[@froggyringu]

@@rjmunster9600 so....we should read a book that a bunch of horny men wrote around 2165 years ago to learn how they are the ones who are the best and should be obeyed? Sure, makes sense and is very logical. *laughs*

[@susanjohnston8973]

The men are the supreme leaders and they can’t even be held accountable for their own thoughts and behaviors.

[@clorbdorb1245]

I think one of the most insidious things about the Duggars was how they tried to dress up the parentification and make it sound cute. Like, with absolutely zero context, the description of the kids having little "buddy teams" for their chores sounds /cute/! I remember when I was in fifth grade, about once a month we'd go to a 1st grade classroom to hang out with a "little buddy" and it was fun for everyone! The little kids looked up to us, and it was fun to feel grown. But when Michelle describes this system, I don't think it registers for most people that this is happening every. Single. Day. It's not a little once in a while activity, it's not kids cleaning up their toys to learn responsibility together, it's something so much more. People don't understand what it would be like to live like that for your entire life.

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@clorbdorb1245 While I never saw the show as I was raised in IBLP. I've known IBLP parents to do things to children that no one would believe me if I gave it voice. Josh is the tip of the cult iceberg.

[@Lindyskatesagain]

I really appreciate this doc swoop. I grew up fundie Christian, and I was blamed for my sexual assault due to “having a heart of Eve,” meaning a heart of deceit, and living with the world instead of “of the Word” for choosing to go to college (especially in a male study of computer science). I was raped by a fellow student in his dorm room who took advantage of me for working on a shared project with him late at night. For years I thought I was broken and that no honorable Christian man would want to be my husband (which is my only value to the church) to the point that I actually attempted to take my own life. Now, I realize this was abuse, and I try to tell people that severe religious groups and communities are abusive, and I continue to speak out against the harm of extremist fundamentalism. I am in an amazing place now, but I work hard to reach out to those steal healing from this trauma. Thank you for giving this important topic a platform. It’s so important and it means so much to those who’ve escaped toxic Religious groups.

[@detectivebroppy1523]

I'm glad that you're in a better place and you were able to escape. I'm Catholic BTW

[@alim.9801]

I'm really really glad you're doing ok. Growing up Christian esp fundie can really fck up your sense of sex and instill this deep guilt that doesn't want to go away, even if something isn't your fault, I'm still working on my catholic guilt to this day and I left the church years ago. Take care dude 💜💜

[@justkiddin84]

A ‘heart of Eve?’ Eve, everyone’s mother. And Adam, who also sinned and was held responsible for it. He was kicked out of Eden also, they seem to conveniently miss that part, huh. GRRRR. I hope you are well now.

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@melindasherrill This should have never happened to you. It was not your fault that a person SA'd you. It was not your fault you were taught victim blaming and victim shaming. It brings sorrow knowing you lived from a state of emotional and perhaps other forms of abuse to SA. I hope and pray you now have access to a healthy skilled trained therapist, to happy healthy relationships with a support system. I say this as someone who was raised IBLP and used secular Uni as my means to escape. It grieves me to know that only 2 of us from my youth escaped. It grieves me now to know how many children are still being raised in the exact same situation that took me 12 yrs to escape. I wish you the best life full of healing and true love.

[@Djdjndxjsnd]

I’m so proud of you for leaving the religion, my family were extreme Jehovah’s witnesses and had similar beliefs. It can be difficult to break free, I’m now 21 and have a daughter. I’m still Christian but I’m no longer in the Jehovah’s Witness community. I will always protect my daughter and teach her that if anyone ever tries to harm her she should tell someone she trusts, wether that’s me or a teacher or anyone else who’s a safe adult, and I’ll always support her and always love her no matter what

[@Laurennnnnn13]

My sister was sucked into the manipulation of a member of the FLDS church. The part where you talked about coercive control is spot on. I don't know how to help her. She is under his psychologically abusive spell. I worry for her and her children. Thank you for raising awareness on these topics.

[@Sleipnirseight]

I am so, so sorry. I hope your sister and her children are okay. It might be good to Google for resources about helping someone who is in a cult or abusive relationship. There should be lots of resources for how to help a loved one trapped in an abusive relationship 💜

[@christophersmith210]

That is a shitty situation, I would def begin by telling someone in authority but tbh, that is easier said than the done. You can call the non emergency number and do a report, and for her kids, I would contact DSS about the situation. I would say the church, but their the enemy here as well. You def in check on your sister and tell other family members if you can.

[@BrandysParadise]

Just don't let her think you are so upset that you have abandoned her. Always stay in her life even if you don't talk to her very much. You can try other things as well but this is the biggest thing to do about that and refrain from acting like your advice is the only advice.

[@tobyschuring1534]

I think I’m banned from commenting unless I comment on a comment. Frustrating!

[@yourneighborhoodmoonfaery]

​@@christophersmith210the only issue I have with the suggestion to call DSS is that they could take her kids and she would still be left there unless it gives her the push to leave so imo that's a lil tricky bc you don't want her to feel you are the enemy by "getting the kids removed" but rather u want her to know your the backup trying to support and guide her out 😊

[@chloegoulden5094]

I have epilepsy and I’m not embarrassed of my seizures but you’re telling me it was 15 minutes?! That’s seriously harmful and deadly. I can’t believe that they stood by for so long.

[@Stephanie-we5ep]

He did *NOT* confess! The girls (specifically the youngest) told on him and he admitted, after being asked, what he did. J'Boob and Moooch lied all up and down the line about all of it. It was and is stomach turning. edit: Fundie Friday's did a whole thing on them

[@tiffprendergast]

Mooch? Lol. Yup

[@ErinH-430]

The Sojo Files has a lot as well. She attended trial and made friends with an old acquaintance of Josh’s (he no longer speak to him) and Jim and Bobye Holt.

[@sourgreendolly7685]

@@ErinH-430 Thanks for the recc, hadn't heard of her before!

[@ErinH-430]

@@sourgreendolly7685 People have mixed feelings about Jim and Bobye Holt. Clint is not really in that Uber religious part now. Bobye joined when I watched SoJo’s livestream for the Depp v Heard case. When SoJo had a late night session, I made a comment about how I don’t agree with their political or religious views, but some of what Jim did (speaking out publicly against Jim Bob at the same time Derek did) impressed me. It takes guts when everything is so partisan.

[@Stephanie-we5ep]

@Erin Hudson I agree! The Holt's are the people I'm most conflicted about... they did the morally correct thing, but I can't shake the feeling that they did it for the wrong reasons. I really don't know how feel about them!

[@mostlyanimalssometimesheather]

My family was part of a religion when I was young and my mom taught Sunday school, she actually got in trouble during one lesson because she taught that girls and women could be anything they wanted instead of teaching that we had to be wives and mothers. We left the church not long after that.

[@dinadina2000]

Oddd that such a conservative sect would let women teach at all

[@WhachaHARRY]

It's so... Weird for me that most people can't rap their heads around a parent choosing the abuser over the abused. This was my life, my brother abused me and my family actively chose to protect him over me

[@ladymalkavian8710]

What scares me and worries me to no end is.. There is no way josh didn't do more to his siblings

[@MissyRenfro1]

Or HIS OWN CHILDREN

[@alim.9801]

​@@MissyRenfro1 I don't have much hope but dude...I'm praying to all the gods that have ever been that at least they were safe

[@sherryhoward7298]

Maybe Jana. Why hasnt she gotten married?

[@abbieelliott9850]

@@sherryhoward7298r at least left. Shes an adult she can walk away at any point but chooses not to. What kind of hold do they have on her? What is keeping her there knowing what she knows?

[@mestillme3026]

I doubt the abuse stopped when the parents found out about it. I know my older brother didn't stop sexually abusing me until he moved out. That's despite my mom catching him doing it years before and "having a talk with him."

[@AnnaVictrix]

Thank you for pointing out financial abuse is a big one. Once they limit your access to money (or take money from you), they limit your ability to escape. Abusive parents will often turn to this once you become a legal adult and no longer under their legal control.

[@xuanzhencat]

Or convince you that you can’t get a job because it’s too dangerous or you don’t have the skills and you need your mommy to hold your hand. And then you go out and get a job and it’s literally not a big deal.

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@@xuanzhencat As an IBLP escapee it isn't that easy. After I left and moved to another state my dad found my therapist and threatened to do horrific things to his young daughters. Along with a couple of IBLP elders also attempted to kidnap me to bring my back under his authority since I was living independently. My therapist placed me in hiding then "released" me citing the immense danger to his family. Many must choose between remaining in submission or escape by risking it all. The IBLP can be dangerous and deadly if the victim believes that death is the ONLY way out.

[@rayuu_yt]

as someone who grew up and lived in arkansas for 25 years, i’m shocked the people were smart enough to not allow jim bob to become a senator

[@monus782]

I guess that goes to show that Jim Boob was too awful even for the people of that state

[@nicholastricarico2957]

​@@monus782More realistically, it was probably due to a lack of funding, particularly compared to the incumbent. This is the same state that voted in Mike Huckabee, a man who likened gay marriage to incest. Yeahhhhhhhh....yeah.

[@thecatsays]

Same. I've been openly against this family since day one. It made my grandma so mad I called the family shit because of their beliefs. She was accusing me of being anti Christian. When this came out, she apologized to me.

[@isabelsoares4942]

You often apologize for the "long sidebar" when you take the time to provide your viewers with resources to help them educate themselves or find help to leave their abusive situations. There's no need to apologize, I think it's actually the whole point of this channel, right? You break down these terrible stories that are viewed by the general public as "drama", and allow for us to see them for how dangerous they actually are. Thank you for providing resources, for bringing us clarity and helping us think critically. Your hard work is so valuable

[@KittyCat22976]

Perfectly Said! ❤💯🍻

[@laurastrele]

Love the explanation of terms, feels like learning ❤

[@CreativaArtly]

As someone who has a seizure disorder (epilepsy), that episode scared me so hard. It was something that should’ve been handled in private and not on air. It makes my blood boil. Seizures aren’t fun! They really really aren’t. They shouldn’t be shared like that unless it’s done to teach and inform on how to deal with them. That’s it.

[@Riandora99]

I also have epilepsy and the whole experience is traumatizing especially when I have seizures in public so the thought of that being recorded and played on TV for all to see is disgusting and horrifying.

[@BrigitteDiessl]

I also have Epilepsy and I agree with you.

[@I_am_UpsideDown]

I hear you... and I'm an artist as well. Thanks for speaking out.

[@greeneyes2296]

I agree i also have epilepsy too.

[@Rasafrag]

And it looked like they were waterboarding the kid as well. I'm lucky enough to not have any type of seizure disorder so I admit ignorance but is it normal to splash water on a seizing person? That seems like a good way to accidently drown the person.

[@itszoffee7233]

My parents used to love this show and take their values seriously while raising me and my 4 brothers to be workers. Thank you for making this.

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@itszoffee7233 I am so sorry for whatever you and your siblings went through. I never saw the show as I was raised in the IBLP. 1) no need to watch what you are living and 2) no tv. for what its worth the members viewed JB as sus, then he agreed to some mag photo shoot. This put him in the category of unrighteous. When the 1st special was filmed he was def. in league with satan. HOWEVER! he began giving $$$ so Mr Gothard approved while almost everyone else despised him. Maybe jealous? Maybe self-righteousness. I am truly sorry for what you went through. It took 12 yrs to escape this lot making me 1 of only 2 from my youth to get away. We struggle daily. What I go through is nothing compared to no longer having my wonderful kind loving gay brother with us. I am aware there is some Prime doc about the family but I was warned by my fellow BF escapee to not view it due being triggered. I HOPE that your parents did not utilize blanket training on you or ur siblings.

[@_ezrah]

The irony of the children being dorbidden to watch secular TV when they themselves ARE the content! Disgusting. I'm really triggered because I was SA'd when I was 14 by my cousin who has (and still has) a reputation of being a good person while I'm the bad person. 🤬

[@AmethystEyes]

Please try to secretly record him (his voice) getting him to admit to it. And then take it to the police.

[@bonnylouwho76]

Ezrah,oh hon, I, too was SA'd by multiple older males in my family, all who are the most respected in society, while I am not, being divorced and being victimized in other relationships and situations, because I am caring,unselfish, and giving. The dichotomy of the family BEING on television and not allowed to watch it.

[@jennys209]

I am so so sorry, sending you all the best wishes I have.

[@DocAnaStasia]

I’m so sorry. I was SA’d by my babysitters husband for many years. I want to tell you that you are NOT a bad person. No matter who believes you, you are not damaged or deranged. You are not the reason it happened, and you did nothing wrong. Worry about your health and your future. Do not let your family make you feel less than who you are. Its traumatic enough to process, much less feeling worthless about ourselves. There is no shame in what happened to you. ❤

[@TwinkleTwinkleTruly]

Imagine Swoop telling her parents: “So, drums are evil and the instrument of The Devil.” And her dad, who has translated the original scriptures is flipping through his notes and looking confused: “Uh, where?” Also, I thought the Devil preferred the fiddle?

[@yourneighborhoodmoonfaery]

😂😂😂

[@yourneighborhoodmoonfaery]

A fiddle of golf at that 😝

[@Wastelander23]

I was like “what about the little drummer boy”

[@TwinkleTwinkleTruly]

@@Wastelander23 maybe Christmas music is blasphemous too? 😅

[@Darrylizer1]

Only when he goes down to Georgia.

[@duckfather5615]

Hearing you describe coercive control made me feel so understood cause like….finally someone gets it and understands what I actually went through better than my own extended family. And on top of it they made me feel guilty for my chronic illness. It wasn’t as extreme an environment as the Duggars, but it was the same mindset and theology and it was hard. Even though I escaped and got myself from it, I’m still dealing with the afteraffects and trauma that occurs. And there’s still other stuff I’m working through but I’m just glad I’m actually able to live my own life and not the life everyone wanted me to live.

[@faitparchristine]

The cheek, the nerve, the audicity, the gall, the gumption of that little drummer boy bringing the devil's music at Jesus' birth

[@aurea.]

Thank you for the much needed laugh 🤣

[@Sleipnirseight]

LOL underrated comment 😂

[@wildershoney2439]

🥁Pa rumppa pum pum👹😂

[@alexandria2243]

Or drums being in Christian music (think classical music especially) for hundreds of years. 😂

[@BlackandDeckerPeckerWrecker]

Well just call me a big ol sinner because i once packed uo my entire drum set, took it to my grandmas church, and played while all the sunday school kids sang their songs. 😈😈😈

[@triciam4798]

YES!!!! SWOOP delivers again. I’m baffled by the NOTHING they did about Josh Duggar. And I’m absolutely disgusted by Anna Duggar for continuing to “support” him and the most horrific things he has done.

[@kathleenuclear]

There's standing by your man, and then standing by a pr*dator. She's just as bad as his parents.

[@mememe217]

SHE ALWAYS DOES!!!!! 👑 🎤

[@Baky_T]

Absolutely and in my opinion it's a disaster to just crap on her children's safety just to fulfill their lifestyle.. I mean, wtf?! Even those children should be on a pedestal because of the scripture but seems as if the "MAN" is the biggest chief here in the family. So no matter what sick individual he may be, those kids are unprotected served on a silver platter! Sick!! Just SICK!!!!!!!!

[@tiffprendergast]

Yup

[@tiffprendergast]

@@Baky_T yup

[@susiefrades-white3088]

I wore out my other true crime channels and documentary shows and THEN I FOUND YOU!!! Thank you so much. You are simply fantastic!!

[@karenholmes6565]

Thank you for blurring the seizure footage. I have never seen that before because I am not a Duggar watcher. I have a dog that has seizures. Every time she has one it is so emotionally devastating. My entire body goes into a form of shock because it is so anxiety provoking. And every time I think "Oh my god, how much worse would this be if she were my child". It is terrible to be responsible for a dog that has this condition. I don't leave my dog alone because of it. I can't imagine having a child with seizures. I definitely would not leave them with another of my children and put that hell on their shoulders.

[@rachelann9362]

One of my dogs (pit bull) had seizures. They were absolutely GUT-WRENCHING. I was trained a vet tech, and even still when it was happened to my OWN pet in front of my own eyes, I couldn’t control my feelings and i down right PANICKED. I took a video to show the vet when we went to emergency (it looked like she had a cluster.) I still have it on my phone and I have to scroll past it so quickly because that image is just that disturbing to me. The sheer panic in my voice when I played it at the e-vet was overwhelming. One of these days, I’ll get the nerve to delete it.. but for now, I just avoid. She did, unfortunately, have seizures after that incident but was pretty well controlled by medication. there was a few break through focal seizures that I never really talked about to my husband because I know it was even harder of a struggle for him. Sadly, we had to let her go last Sunday-she was only six but looked like an ancient, geriatric dog. In addition to the seizures, she had also inherited a neuro-degenerative condition that caused tremors, weakness, dizziness, unsteady mobility, and worsening muscle loss. I am, however, thankful her seizures were very minimal. The second event that happened a year after the first was very rough. She appeared to be blind, was confused, and was too uncoordinated and weak to stand, but she was panicked and trying to. She was growling at me, and wouldn’t touch any food for a good few hours (I was trying to get a little sugar in her to refresh her glycogen stores for her muscles)-she’s a dog that never EVER refused food. Thankfully, she allowed my husband to touch her and he kept her steady until she was okay with me. She was barely able to stand the rest of the night, and was struggling the next few days. Thanks to wisdom panel adding relatives, I was able to track down a relative (daughter or mother, I’m unsure due to the listed ages) and discovered that she also had the exact same cluster of symptoms, including very long seizures. Years ago one of our cats had a seizure after playing a game of laser while I was at work.. and my husband called me in a panic because he had no idea what to do and was terrified. I understood how strongly he must have felt that, especially given he didn’t know nearly as much as I did. Thankfully for him that was a one-off fluke (though I have suspected focal seizures over the years.) when it happened, I was a little confused about why he would be that worked up (he’s typically VERY clear headed and calm), but once I went through it with our dog, I understood completely. I absolutely CANNOT imagine that happening to a literal CHILD in front of me. It is 100% traumatic to watch that happen. In Fb support groups for epileptic pets, they all have rules about not posting videos of an active seizure unless it is heavily censored and nestled deep in comments with tons of warning about the graphic imagery. The audacity of a “child friendly” showing such imagery without any attempts to censor is disturbing and very telling. I remember hearing about it at the time it was aired.. people were LIVID, and rightfully so.

[@karenholmes6565]

@@rachelann9362 thanks for the long and thoughtful reply. The first time my dog has a seizure I did not know what was wrong. She appeared to be choking. When she started breathing right I just thanked my lucky stars she didn't choke to death. A month later she had her second seizure. That was when I knew it was epilepsy. This was right as we went into lock down. I was broke, my mom had just passed from covid, and I didn't know when I would start getting income again, It was a hellish point in my life My dog was young, healthy, but she also was born with a bent front paw and malformed shoulder. She really got the short end of the stick genetically. I started researching frantically about seizures, telling myself that if she had a seizure longer than 5 minutes or had more than one in a week I would go into further debt to take care of it. The research I did outlined when it becomes a medical emergency, life of death, and that the vet would want me to keep a record of the seizures, so I started taking notes. I bought high quality CBD, and also added raw coconut oil to her food. She went from having a seizure about once a month to start with to having one once every 3 months now. She had only one that was longer than 5 minutes, it was 6 minutes. Part of the reason why I was hesitant to take her to a vet is that once they start medication they have to take it for the rest of their lives, and if there was a natural way to help her I wanted to try that first. I just was able to secure income after the pandemic craziness and I am going to start interviewing vets to care for her. She also is starting to get cataracts, if they do not get treated she will go blind. Since she has a seizure about once every three months I start to get anxiety after it has been a couple of months since her last seizure. Every once in awhile it will cross my mind that she is due for another, and I start worrying. I know that the amount of seizures she has medication is not warranted. Part of me would be relieved if I could just drug her and not worry about it, but that would not be what is best for her. As you know, those drugs have side effects. If your dog doesn't have seizures often they are not indicated. Even with all of this I feel lucky because I chatted with a guy that had to put his 18 month old puppy down. This poor dog had uncontrollable seizures that were baking its brain, seizing multiple times each day. I cannot imagine what that would be like. I don't think I could handle that to be honest. The stats show that dogs with seizures live an average of 6 to 8 yrs and are often euthanized instead of dying from old age. When I first read that I felt judgy, like how can someone put down a dog because of their seizures? After living with it I know that I should never have judged. It is so painful to watch and live with. I cannot judge someone that decides that they cannot cope with seizures that are a medical emergency. I have not lived through that, and I hope I never do. My dog is 5 yrs old now. She's been having seizures for nearly 3 yrs, they've improved with time. That is not what happens to most dogs with her condition. I can only express how grateful I am that alternative dietary therapies have improved the prognosis of dogs like mine. Because without the change in diet I think she'd be on drugs by now.

[@fvckfascists]

i've had a grand mal in front of my fiancee, and it traumatized her. it can look like someone is dying when they're having one. something that should absolutely never be filmed.

[@alim.9801]

​@@fvckfascists I got diagnosed with epilepsy a few years ago and my partner was there for my first documented seizure. He genuinely thought I was dead when I was passed out. We've learned how to manage it well and I'm on good meds so it doesn't happen often but it's so scary and that shit scars you, no matter if you're the one having the seizure or watching I hope you both are doing OK dude 💜

[@SaigesArstgo1031]

@@karenholmes6565 I just wanted to say you sound like an amazing dog owner. The amount of care you put into your researching treatments for your dog that you *could* afford when you knew a vet visit was probably out of budget is so nice. Im really glad your pups seizures are mostly managed.

[@uhohspaghettios2391]

One of the most heartbreaking things about this for me is the pretty clear cycle of abuse in this situation. The parents had the chance to get Josh and the girls *actual help* and counseling, and they actively chose not to. Plus, one of the main people entrusted by the family to "mentor" Josh (both before and after he abu5ed his sisters) was a former state trooper who was also arrested for having child s3xu@l abu5e material. Josh is undeniably responsible for his own actions, and I'm very glad he's in prison, but Michelle and Jim Bob should be made to take responsibility as well for what they allowed to happen to those children. Edit: 47:39 and there he is.

[@tiffprendergast]

Yup

[@splendidpursuits]

They can't take them to real therapy. It will expose them to dangerous influences outside the church.

[@JunAlex86]

This fact makes the family's religious fundamentalism & public image so much more insidious. Had they been a normal family & not so insular, they probably would've been willing to get some real help.

[@valuablewizard]

My family is conservative and believes and God. But they never sheltered me or prevented me from watching TV, movies or listening to music and playing video games. This is too far!

[@nicolekalasuva9812]

Being molested by a family member messes you up for life. And it messes with your sexual relationship with your spouse to. I feel for them

[@accioyoongi]

it really does.

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@nicolealasuva9812 I am so sorry if this happened to you. I was raised in this group & the Independ. Baptist church. The sickest thing is that they teach children that no male is ever responsible for any sexual offenses - it's always a woman's fault. The woman who is immodestly dressed causes the man to run home demanding sex, the wife who does not submit then FORCES the man to abuse a substitute. Yes, including very young children. When a F escapes (as I did) you are either cut off and dead to them or they attempt to kidnap you to bring you back under proper authority - typically the abuser. The hell that gay youth go through being raised in this sometimes drives them to end it all. I miss my brother. 😩

[@voidbreather7405]

@StrawberrySodaPopp Is there a shelter in your area that could house you? Or other relatives you could stay with, maybe even friends? Have you told any authorities about what he's done/doing to you? At the very least, would you like a hotline to vent your pain and maybe receive some advice for your situation?

[@Zharoze]

@StrawberrySodaPoppliving with your abuser is horrible. I’m sorry you are traumatized endlessly, I hope you can get out soon ❤

[@Zharoze]

Especially when your family tells you to get over it for the sake of the abuser being a family member. It’s a horrible thing.

[@mestillme3026]

Josh didn't come to the parents like they said. They lied about that. You were right that one of their daughters came forward first and they did nothing. In fact they let him do a speech at said daughter's wedding and he called her a tattle tale. Josh only confessed when confronted and I think he was only confronted because the babysitter told her parents what Josh did to her. I highly doubt the abuse stopped then either. Sadly, we might never know because the Duggar parents have fully brainwashed their daughters into blaming themselves and they all refuse to talk about it now.

[@mestillme3026]

@@alwaysflushinpublic the TV show definitely didn't cover that. I'm sorry about your brother.

[@soniastarmorales8013]

Duggar parents are absolutely detestable hypocrites same as the founder of their Cult.

[@Troisnyx]

As a drummer doing both sacred and secular music, it felt super validating hearing you, a fellow drummer, debunking the whole "devil's instrument" malarkey. Sincerely, thank you so much. 🙏🏽

[@smallboi4508]

Just discovered your channel today. I’m obsessed. I grew up in a very conservative Christian home where one of my brothers (from a family of 8 kids) sexually abused me for years. It was from a young age through high school. When I came out at trans and gay I also told the truth to my family. And big shocker, they chose to support him and disown me, since I’m queer, which in their eyes is far worse than what he did to me. Religious people like my parents are terrifying. That’s not even the half of their horribleness towards me either. It’s made me extremely distrustful of anyone religious. This family reminds me so much of my own and it’s so sad 😞

[@juliecumbie7072]

I'm so sorry. Know you are loved and celebrated just as you are. ❤

[@TempestBound]

i’m a survivor of something very similar to the duggar family - i’m an exjw, which isn’t a quiverfull movement/otherwise encourages many children, but their family dynamics are almost identical. there is emphasis on the husband as the head of the household (‘god is the head of man, and man is the head of the woman’), strict gender roles, heavy restriction on ‘worldly’ media, restriction from ‘worldly’ friends, control over your love life (including chaperoning), etc. my parents (in particular my mother) were extremely abusive and controlling - they went through my trash regularly to make sure i wasn’t hiding stuff from them/eating anything i wasn’t given permission to, they went through any mail i received, i had to get permission to leave the house at all even as an adult, i wasn’t allowed to get a job until they said so, i had no control over my own money, i wasn’t allowed to make friends at school bc they weren’t religious. my mother was extremely controlling over my appearance, telling me i was ugly, telling me i would never get a husband if i did xyz (including being ‘too smart’), and was VERY involved in my personal hygiene bc she insisted i couldn’t do it properly bc i was so incompetent, to the point of SA (your jeanette mccurdy video, and subsequently reading her book, made me realize it was, in fact, SA). i am thankfully almost six years out now (🎉), thanks to my now fiancee literally buying me a bus ticket so i could run away from home with only a backpack of belongings (i didn’t even have a hairbrush when i left), but even after that many years, i have deep, deep trauma i don’t think i will ever fully heal from. i am still terrified of slamming doors in the house, or the sound of someone coming home. receiving hugs from someone bc i’m crying, a thing used to abuse me, is still skin-crawling for me. i am slowly, slowly rebuilding my life and reclaiming my body, but i do still struggle with it every day. these families and cults scar for LIFE. it’s no joke.

[@kpax2066]

I'm overwhelmed with feelings of sorrow for you, but its mixed with pride because you had the strength to get out! You use that strength and intelligence that you have to heal, because you deserve a normal, productive, happy life. Bless you for being a survivor....now you're going to thrive!

[@Rain_Reign]

You are an incredibly powerful person to have gotten yourself out of that situation. I’m sending love, and hope that you find your healing ♥️

[@Lmr2021]

Your parents were just @ssholes. In all religions there’s people who don’t practice what they preach. I grew up as a jw, and I was never controlled like that. There’s obviously rules and principles to follow as a witness. But some parents are just trash parents. So disappointing your parents weren’t better at raising you, making you believe everyone is like them. As a little girl I did sleepovers, as a teenager I went to parties, bonfires, and had boyfriends. When I was old enough to work, I chose my own jobs and managed my money however I wanted, even while living under their roof. Me and my husband decide what to watch on TV, what music to listen to. We have a daughter now, it’s wild to hear all these horror stories. It really brings awareness’s how we want to raise our daughter. No one can you to do anything you don’t want to do as a jw, I don’t understand how some take it so far. I’m so sorry you were put thru all that trauma by parents abused their power. Whenever I hear of families like yours, I just don’t get it. I don’t get how they can claim to love god but be such awful human beings. I really hope you can continue healing ❤️

[@LaPlaztique]

I had an upbringing similarly but the day I turned 18 years old, it was pedal to the metal away from there. I am genuinely sorry that you had to go through that. No disrespect but it almost remind’s me of the movie Carrie. Xx

[@cathykrueger4899]

That was even hard to read. My heart goes out to you. You’re safe now. While I have nothing for JWs, it sounds as though your mother might have suffered from paranoia or perhaps even schizophrenia.

[@marajadepena3180]

As someone with epilepsy( and the first one is always the worst cause u have no idea what’s happening ) I couldn’t even imagine having your first one in front of huge cameras and millions of people

[@noreehix5714]

I think what bothers me about the situation the most is that there was no protection for the victims. Having dissociative episodes are real and it brought back all that trauma. They needed love and care not to be interviewed or interrogated by the media.

[@shilohgoes5544]

As an Arkansan I hate the people that represent us. Especially with our new governor 🙄 just know that we’re not all bible thumping bumpkins 😭

[@reshster]

i live in oklahoma, i can vouch for you

[@ghersh425]

Many call themselves Christians and have very perverted views of what a real Christian is

[@merricat3025]

So about 80% are? I think think christian nationalism is spreading. I am christian and it worries me. I am not a bible thumper

[@dvs7392]

Texas here, and same

[@user-quackers]

Texan here. I see you and appreciate you!

[@chayden153]

My mom and I watched Shiny Happy People when it dropped and holy hell. There was so much we didn't know about the Duggars and by extension the IBLP that it was stomach churning to think that years prior my mom actually watched 19 kids and counting

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@clayden153 There's likely a ton more that was not shown. While I never saw a Dug show & the doc. I was raised IBLP. Did they explain why Mr Bates demanded JB load up the kids and leave ASAP? Did they mention how JB stormed way from his church after Josh was banned from the church nursery? ATI? ALERT academy? Was blanket training explained? PLZ tell me they brought up Bobye Holt's divorce & 10 yr restraining order against Mr Jim, her husband? Nothing like 2 decades of DV to force a woman to walk away from it all! While I generally attempt to avoid the docs, I'm often given news about recent IBLP issues by friends and family who are still in it.

[@caraalgrim7434]

As a proud mom of a son who is trans, I just want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your content!!

[@ridinwithjake]

“Trans”? You mean he got brainwashed by the current trend and he is now damaging his body? Stop it before it’s too late.

[@alim.9801]

Thanks for being there to support your son maam, hope youre both doin good 💜

[@jodimyers410]

Thank you for being a safe, supportive parent! Makes my heart happy to know your baby is safe and loved! Great job, mama! 🖤🌈

[@whatever7959]

There needs to be more parents like you in the world. All the best to you and your son.

[@glitter_rose8887]

This comment genuinely made my heart smile!! It fills my heart with pure joy to see that you clearly love your child and are devoted to supporting them no matter what!! WE NEED MORE PARENTS LIKE YOU IN THIS WORLD!! 👏❤️

[@cindergodofnature6807]

I saw this video and immediately was interested. I was “raised” as the youngest of six children in a Roman Catholic household very similar to the Duggars. Birth control, most books, tv, video games, music, etc. were all seen as Satanic. As a woman, I was made to do most of the house work, and even had to educate my older siblings who completely ignored science or general education. Also as a woman, I was told it was my fault if the males in the household got aroused by me. To put the icing on the cake, I was molested by my biological father (and sexualized by my oldest brother who’s 14 years older than me), and blamed by all but one of my siblings for what happened. He’s in prison for life, but to this day, 9 years later after it happened and 6 years since I’ve been in foster care, I am still called a home wrecker. Edit: I’m still watching the video and they have even more similarities to my bio family. Along with being homeschooled, my bio mother also went to our church priest to ask what to do after it came out I was molested, and the priest basically said we were good kids so ignore it.

[@53mandevilla]

NOT YOUR FAULT & GOD BLESS YOU! 😮😮😮❤❤❤

[@MichelleMonaghan-eq4dy]

Certainly not your fault hugs to u I'm Catholic but whent true nothing like this xxxx

[@yvettescheiman4991]

I thought for sure you would prove to be a woman in her fifties or sixties from the content in the first part of your story but you turned out to be MUCH younger. I'm Catholic and I'm appalled that this crap still happens. Thank God my family was not like this but I'd heard about these types of behaviors in other, more restrictive religions, including other factions of Christianity, and somehow you think Catholicism is above all that. Then I got to thinking about the priest scandals.. .🙄 No religion comes away unscathed when it comes to aberrant behavior and cover ups.

[@ladygaladriel44]

It was NEVER YOUR FAULT. Please, never doubt that. I wish you nothing but peace and continued healing on your journey.

[@mestillme3026]

I'd like to point out that Jill and Jessa, despite having the return show named after them, weren't ever paid. Despite them both being adults Jim Bob claimed them as minors and TLC only did a paying contract with him. In fact none of the kids were ever paid for their 16 years of being on camera. It is ridiculous that the Coogan law, that saws child actors must be paid at least a percentage of their earnings, doesn't apply to children on reality TV.

[@zenobia10127]

Unfortunately, the Cogan Law was written at a time where reality tv wasn't even a concept. I know laws are starting to be passed to compensate the children of reality tv, but it varies from state to state. IL has adopted a law that I know for sure.

[@thecatsays]

And Coogan law really is only enforced in Cali.

[@saeacollette5807]

This family disgusts me. While raising my children who are 19 and 21, I thought them to come to come to me about anything. Whether it be about some thing that confused about or something that they’ve done wrong. I always told them that I want to hear it from you first before I hear it from somebody else. And that’s what they did and trust me they came to me about some stuff that I was like huh, how do you even know about this but I would answer their questions and I didn’t lie to them. And now they are respectful functioning. Members of society who are informed they are not followers they research things before they make a decision about them so that they know all the aspects of the topic. And I’m extremely proud. But the Duggers oh man they think they’re going to heaven, but I I have a feeling they’re going somewhere else!

[@haleyhopes5774]

The abuse starts YOUNG in that family. On one episode Michelle happily explained how they “blanket train” the babies. Basically, the sit the baby on a blanket. If the baby rolls or crawls off of the blanket they get spatted with a wooden spoon and then put back into the blanket! She said they would do that for hours a day until the “baby learned the appropriate boundaries”!

[@aquicha8168]

Funny extra detail, occasionally in blanket training you are meant to place something the kid wants juuust out of reach of the blanket, then hit them when they reach for it.

[@haleyhopes5774]

@@aquicha8168 I know!!!! That is just so heartbreaking to me! As a Momma I know my heart would NEVER allow me to employ such a practice in my own home. It’s just so sad.

[@alim.9801]

Oh my god, that's what blanket training is?? That's a BABY!! How would they even understand what you're "teaching" them?? That makes me so incredibly angry and sick

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@@alim.9801 TY for being astonished and irate. I was raised in this. Blanket training comes from Debbie and Michael Pearl. Look them up and then tell all of us how any marginally sane human would follow their ideas! They are 2 backwoods hillbilly toothless morons with zero education and zero sanity. They are not, however, condoned by Mr Gothard and now Mr Bates who run the IBLP. Their books are passed around and followed, neither leaders of IBLP give their approval but neither condemn it. Mr G had no wife nor kids. Mr Bates has the usual shit ton of kids and uses blanket training. What it is meant to do is "break the child's will". Children (IBLP's ideas) are born evil with sin. So you must break their will to sin. Once you do this then righteousness can enter their souls and they will be obedient. They see no difference between obedience and fear. BTW: Josh and his sis Jana were not blanket trained. The group (can't speak for the Duggs) believe that Josh's problems (criminal behavior) began with his will not being broken as an infant, and Jana is not married yet for the same reason. I think she's about 33 now? We very vew who escaped always appreciate it when someone responds to this info as you did. It's comforting to know that there are sane, kind, loving parents out there.

[@smilinmoo]

That is just horrible! I never watched this show because it gave me the creeps. Michelle with her sicky-sweet baby voice made me want to vomit.

[@actual______criminal]

“Blessed is the man who’s quiver is full of them” that is such gross wording lmao

[@lexyshannon9428]

What bothers me the most so far about all of this is the following: In abusive power dynamics regarding beliefs and gender roles like this, the girls and women are held accountable for the sexual actions of boys and men. *But those Duggar sisters were ASLEEP and UNCONSCIOUS when they were violated by their own brother.* Knowing their household, they likely weren't wearing anything immodest, due to modest clothing being the only kind of clothing they have in that house. This disgusts me because this implies to me that they are inclined to believe that girls and women are actually ALWAYS seen as inherently sexual no matter what they do or wear, and therefore always sinful by nature. These girls don't have a voice. They don't have rights or autonomy. They don't have any support whatsoever. From birth and throughout their lives, these girls are seen , raised, and treated as slaves by their own family. They are pushed aside constantly and neglected. The boys have excuses made FOR them by their own parents, and get away with barely even a slap on the wrist. But the girls? Well apparently in the Duggars' mindset, boys will be boys, and girls should know better than to evoke those feelings in boys through their actions (even if they are SLEEPING apparently - a normal function that EVERY human needs!) These are YOUNG GIRLS. Not just that, but their own DAUGHTERS. The only thing they know are the gendered responsibilities placed upon them for life at birth... and somehow, it's THEIR fault?? Oh, but it's inappropriate to have trans individuals use their own identifying bathrooms. Because apparently, child predators can only exist in communities they don't agree with. It doesn't count if they do it. I have never wanted to throttle two parents and a son more in my life than when I heard about this family.

[@Khrysalis01]

Before TLC, DimBoob and family lived in a *two* bedroom trailer where the children slept under the trailer. There was a hatch in the kitchen that they used to get to their “bedroom”. No lights except for the flashlight Josh was in charge of. This is where his abuse of his sisters started. DimBoob, after the documentary, conned TLC into giving them the materials for their mansion. TLC employees and the Duggar children built the house. TLC filled the mansion with new furniture throughout. DimBoob conned everyone he could to make him money, one way or another. His lazy baby-talking wife was the one who used her own children as nannies and maids. She never lifted a finger, because her job was to pump out more servants, I mean babies. Other than some breastfeeding which I doubt she actually did, since breastfeeding acts like birth control, and you can’t crank out babies if you are are breastfeeding. Besides continuously pumping out babies, her next job was to “blanket training” the babies. This was the first abuse of their children. This is the practice of sitting a baby on a blanket and beating them every time they tried to reach out to a favorite toy that had been laid just past the blanket’s edge. *Babies! How could a mother do that to her baby?* The other reasons on having your children raise their siblings, is that she was busy writing books on childcare, and making appearances at other cults (churches).

[@andreagriffiths3512]

Can’t comment on most of this comment because I don’t know about it but you can totally get pregnant whilst breastfeeding. A friend of mine had a beautiful baby and then got pregnant again very quickly. She’s now got two beautiful kids who are not even a year apart. So I wouldn’t trust the whole breastfeeding thing. If you aren’t up for another baby, use protection.

[@Andreamom001]

The house they lived in before the mansion was not a trailer. Maybe they lived in a trailer at some point, but not right before the mansion.

[@fourofcats5803]

I’ve heard about the blanket thing before. That makes me want to cry. I so wish someone had been able to protect those kids.

[@sarajoey115]

Dimboob, the absolute most perfect name for him. Recently watched the Prime video series on them and their lives. The blanket training alone made me gasp. I have 5 boys. Yours, mine and ours. Together are all the same. I have a 1yo old that went throught a traumatic and serious birth injury. Hitting him to keep hin on a blanket was absolutely mind blowing. Although seeing how all the kids are treated and yes sir no sir yes mam no mam makes sense. Those poor kids and the girls 😢 I always wondered growing up and watching it what was going on. I have 5 feral boys. 😅

[@kerarobinson5350]

Quick question - and I’m asking because I want to know more, not because I disbelieve you - do you have a source about the kitchen/flashlight/underneath the home story?

[@amethyst5512]

Derrick has some problematic views, but the irony of JB choosing him for Jill is amazing. He has been instrumental in helping Jill break free & come to terms with what happened to her. Also ironic is that Josh’s parents always getting him out of trouble & covering up his crimes for so many years made it incredibly easy for the feds to bust Josh. He literally couldn’t comprehend that there would be consequences & didn’t know to keep his mouth shut when they questioned him at the car lot.

[@mariahlamb2983]

Admittedly, as a teenager the Duggars were a guilty pleasure of mine. I, along with so many others, was manipulated into believing that this was a bizarre, wholesome, 'Godly', well connected and close knit family. Something that was so foreign to me and the way I grew up that it was captivating and comforting to watch. Now that things have been coming out of the woodworks the last several years, it really breaks my heart, man..

[@Clownbunnycosplay]

My mom watched it, and I watched it with her, and always commented on how weird it was, and she’s always try to say it wasn’t

[@canned_bananas]

My aunt never wanted me to watch it, as an adult, I understand why. I was missing so much.

[@bonnylouwho76]

Concurring with you in so many ways.

[@5050TM]

​@@Clownbunnycosplay Me and my mom when they had a lot less kids and I was like 14 but reverse the perspectives 🥲

[@LizRealGirlBeauty]

Thank you for being kind to Anna! Way too many KZbinrs blame her, one even has made a (really, really baseless) claim that she snuck him a cell phone in prison. She is a victim too. She has little education, no work experience, her parents aren't even close to wealthy and can't help her, she has all those kids to care and provide for, she has limited access to the outside world, and of course the IBLP teaching that she's the one who made Josh do all of those things. If she doesn't divorce Josh, his parents will give her and her kids somewhere to live and provide for them. If she does leave, she's alone with nothing. While her siblings who aren't a part of the cult have said they'd help her, there's no way to know if she's ever even heard their offer, because JB watches her media consumption and communication. I feel very, very sorry for her. She was arranged into this marriage to a monster and has been made completely dependent on his family. She is NOT to blame for any of this. (Also anyone saying "she knew what he previously did to his sisters before they got engaged and still married him and had kids with him," her father picked Josh, and according to an interview she did she didn't know anything about sex before 2 WEEKS BEFORE THEIR WEDDING, meaning she had ZERO context of what he did to his sisters and couldn't comprehend exactly what he did until right before she married him. You can't condone what you don't understand, her "forgiveness" is pretty meaningless and had she not done so she would have still been told to marry him anyway.)

[@jlcmsw]

I was in a relationship that met all the criteria of abuse you stated. I’m free now and I’m getting my joy back. It’s crazy how a cruel person can stifle your happiness.

[@juliecarroll1328]

This video scared me. My ex husband did literally every one of those 12 things. I never knew there was a name for what happened. Thanks for posting this.

[@rubysparks4915]

I read an article where they actually described some of the pictures, and I was literally physically ill because of the age of the children involved. I cannot understand how his wife can sit in that courtroom, and hear the things that were said about him in the trial, and not fear for the safety of her own children. It’s too late for Michelle, but hopefully Anna will be able to get out during the time he’s in jail. When he gets out, some of his kids will still be under age.

[@emilybarclay8831]

One of the videos he tried to gain access to is notorious as basically the worst child sexual and physical abuse material known to man. Luckily he never got his hands on it. The children in the video were the same age as some of his own children. Thankfully he never actually got his hands on it because it’s basically impossible to do so these days because it’s so rightfully infamous

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@rubysparks4915 I was raised IBLP & can explain their views on child safety. When a female is SA'd are told by IBLP to be grateful as it will bring you closer to God - making you a super-Christian. If your children are perfectly obedient and righteous then they will be spared this trauma. I imagine Anna believes her children are so obedient that it has never and will never happen. Did they cover Josh being banned from their old church nursery?

[@laurenk1766]

Just a reminder that men can also be the victims of Coercive Control. My brother is 100% controlled by his wife. However, he is completely blind to it. I really hope he wakes up someday. He says he’d be nothing without her. ALSO, the absolute blankness behind Michelle Duggar’s eyes is terrifying. Like she could smile at you while she stabbed you right in the gut.

[@sheisaMachine]

Her whole life is being second class to get husband and a baby factory. Regardless how indoctrinated you are there must be some bitterness

[@laurenk1766]

@@sheisaMachine I agree. It’s a crappy life for anyone.

[@KaraNolting]

I so so admire how you always take time to point out signs of abuse in your documentaries - I'm sure you've helped so many viewers and it's such a wonderful thing to take the time to do.

[@torirocksforever]

Just as a fact check, Gothard himself was not the one that suggested to send Josh to the IBLP work camp. That was the family friend who told the family that he should not be sent to a regular facility bc he would learn to "sin better." The family friend whose daughter Josh was courting is Jim Holt, former Arkansas governor. Also, the victims have repeatedly stated that they did not want this released, which would have been good to add.

[@kirstena4001]

I've often wondered if the cop who spoke to Josh after his 'counselling' didn't show Josh where to find that horrible CSA material. Kind of a "dont touch your sisters, you'll get caught: look at this stuff instead."

[@Adriana-hp1eh]

Yep. That's what child predators tend to do.

[@Adriana-hp1eh]

Yep. That's what child predators tend to do.

[@amyyyamy]

Fair Point, actually. I have never though about it this way

[@amandap7733]

I'll share a story that's not so awful for a pallet cleanser for you all. So I hate pants, if I have a choice I never wear them, skirts and dresses are king (or queen) because of how easy it is to change in and out of them (and they can't give you a wedge). Well in highschool I would constantly have people asking me if I only wore skirts/dresses for religious reasons and I had to explain "no, I just really hate pants." This was like a once a month thing too. Funny enough no one asked me that after highschool, I don't know why that was the only age group I was in that cared so much. (Well I did have an art class in college where the teacher asked me about it but that was because we were going to learn basic welding and he didn't want any unnecessary injury or fire hazards, so that doesn't count.)

[@banookyyy]

oh thank you for the unrelated story btw !!! and also i 100% agree with you tbh, i do wear pants often but i often find myself in an oversized shirt or house dress when i'm staying at home... what you said makes total sense.

[@saramarija21]

Thank you 🤗

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

As long as it's your choice. I grew up in this cult and it took me 12 yrs of plotting to escape. After the escape and move to a different state, my dad tried to kidnap me to bring me back under his authority. Now, you will never see me in a dress.

[@alexandria2243]

I'm the same way. I can't stand the feeling of specifically jeans so I wear skirts or soft pants/dress pants but not jeans idk. I am religious BUT I don't do that for religious reasons jeans just don't agree with my skin at all.

[@Raja-bz4yw]

I grew up with parentification and now I have depression and anxiety and PTSD and trust issues. I struggle with forming any relationship socially and have some form of social anxiety. I don't really have any friends thanks to this too. I'm still grieving my loss of childhood today in therapy. Let children be children.

[@SugarTits716]

I'm so sorry that you were forced to endure such abuse & I'm sorry that you're still suffering to this day. Please know that you're not alone & although I'm a random stranger, I care about you & anyone who's been abused by anyone, in any way. I hope you realize that you ARE worthy of love, honesty & affection. We're all broken to some degree, but that doesn't make you less of person regardless of what your mind may try to tell you!!! Please don't give up on yourself...if you keep moving forward, your wounds WILL begin to heal (as long as you allow the healing to happen). I wish you all of the best that life has to offer & I hope you understand that you ARE worth it!!! ❤❤❤

[@mothermayi7832]

I can not imagine having to hide from my brother or not be alone with him because he is that way. My heart goes out to the girls. They are just as important as the guys in the family.

[@Kmbrgss]

One thing I wanted to quickly comment is how much I love your docs because they raise awareness to these topics and you always provide resources for people to use when they may have no other way of obtaining them. You always approach each of these docs with respect, full acknowledgement and advocacy for the victims and a HEALTHY dose of the pettiness my soul craves. It always makes my day when you upload!! 💜

[@johnduncan6760]

Swoop, your docs are my new guilty pleasure. Kudos to you and your staff. So very well done.

[@The_Reckoning_Is_Here]

The hypocrisy and projection is infuriating. My pettiness meter is full today … the fact women are repeating the cycle feels like a betrayal. You exposing and standing up for all women gives me hope - you bring a positive vibe and your hilarious. ❤

[@Weebs76]

When I was younger, I was in a similar church (sorry, cult) that wasn’t *quite* as intense as these guys (not as much of an issue around women’s clothing, but a lot of it was the same). I wanted to say thank you for having that sidebar for anyone who might be watching this and are not sure about what they’re actually experiencing. It’s abuse. But these organizations call abuse a lot of nice sounding words (like “covering”, “protection”, “purity”, “obedience to god” etc., in order to gaslight and confuse people. The control around people’s thoughts, sexuality, music, etc…I can’t begin to explain what that does to a person. I just hope anyone who is still involved in stuff like this and finally admitting to themselves that they are having a real problem with their teachings and how they are being treated finally find freedom so they can heal.

[@ieatpineapples3325]

This sure did open my eyes, when I was a young kid watching them I always wanted a big family and loved how the kids got along and took on adult tasks. Being older looking back, I realize how many red flags there was

[@Shrooskie3]

Iv been watching your channel for just a little now and I gotta say this is the video here and now that made me click the sub button. I was adopted from Russia at 7 with 4 other siblings adopted from Russia as well. My adoptive parents were and still are extremely conservative and religious and hold many of the same beliefs this family does. What I really wanted to point out is how incredibly heart warming it was to see you put together so we’ll explaining how sick a lot of families such as this are. I got molested from the age of 7-9, basically the second I came to the states, by one of my brothers, and to this day he has not been held accountable let alone locked up or get “therapy” instead I was stuck for what felt like many years battling ED, depression, and being hospitalized due to many suicide attempts, all while being made to feel at fault for something I know now years later was never in my control and I never deserved and should have been loved heard and protected. Things like this need to get exposed more, thank you Swoop! 💕💞 your amazing and keep up what you are doing!

[@KN-hg2nv]

I'm so sorry about what happened to you. While we cannot be there to support you please know that there are people out there who believe you and that you did nothing wrong. You deserve so much healing and respect. Please do not give up and continue living your life to the fullest. ❤️

[@Letsbhonest0828]

Sending you a big hug. What an ordeal you have been through. God didn’t plan that for you. Satan is the one you gutted your life. I too, was SA, as a young child. I can’t count the times I have wanted to take my life. Always feel so worthless. But I hold on. God loves those of us who are broken even more. He loves you. Look to Jesus. He is the answer to our pain and hurts.

[@sobbing3743]

@@Letsbhonest0828stop forcing your religion on others wtf…

[@ThatGirlT77]

I feel sorry for these girls and what they went through. I can't imagine what ACTUALLY happened behind closed doors.

[@AceOfTinyGhosts]

I can assure you as trans people we are already so incredibly uncomfortable going to the bathroom we aren’t focused on you or your kids at all.

[@user-mv5zt8qd9l]

The insistence from some people that abusers were waiting on convenient social safety nets to victimise others is wild. Trans inclusion doesn't promote abuse.

[@babybecz]

Both of my parents were raised in a religious cult and we're both subjected to SA as young children. It is truly disgusting how prominently this happens in general, but specifically in religious groups. Not only are they traumatizing children but they are also doing it while pretending to be a someone who has morals and practices Faith. It leaves people in shock, disgust, and then they never want to go to church again because of what they went thru as children. It's disgusting that people like this are still out there and lurking around children.

[@Jenna-Roo]

So glad you covered this and TLC who should be ashamed and encouraged the families to do what they want. Remember poor Jake from little people who came forward about being molested by a TLC camera man yet no one will address how sick this channel is 😳🤔🙏🏻❤️

[@2010MrsKSS]

I believe TLC is causing harm ALL families under their label and for what? 😢

[@debrapalmer9772]

@@2010MrsKSS For $$$$. That's all TLC cares about. It was nothing but dollars for Duggars.

[@MegaREAPER56]

I never heard that about Jake? Was that made public?😮

[@Jenna-Roo]

@@2010MrsKSS money, greed and sex trafficking in my opinion. Disney owns the channel, so that's been a question for many years why they. Put kids in provocative ways. Dancing with barely any clothes, back talking to their parents and disrespectful towards their elders. Disney has been questioned many times for their underground, inappropriate subjects and churning these kid stars out to be a sexual subjects and lude behavior more than once. They also own most channels we watch and monopolize many , many channels for the sake of money, greed and under age grooming, using families like freak shows (reality TV). It's scary and alarming in my opinion. Very questionable. Look what happened with the Duggars and many other families with children, or perhaps a freak show at many peoples and children's expense. Lude, crude and never doing background checks on employees. It's very disturbing. I could share more, but you get the drift. When 12 year old girls are acting inappropriate for their age and dressing them provocative. That's why we end up seeing them years later in the news for one thing or another, doing interviews on addiction, sexual assault and greed by their own parents sometimes. Alarming as hell 🤔🐒🎪💊🧐🍭🤡👹🧢🚲😯😳⭐🌟🙈🙉🙊👤🙏🏻🧟🕵️👦🏻🍿🎠🎡📢🎬🎤🖍️🎲👙👠💄💎👛🔍💲

[@Jenna-Roo]

@@MegaREAPER56 yes, absolutely. That's why he left and refused to come home and his own parents never ended the show. He suffers from severe anxiety and withdrew from the world. He wrote a book on it. Heartbreaking and chilling that money wins over human beings especially children. Fame, greed and egotistical behavior that comes with the fame. Families get lost in the fame and TLC doesn't care about them, they simply want the circus and fame not to mention money. They've made a mockery out of many families, then telling what to say and how they want a scene to go. It's not reality at all. It's sinister. Very sad and heartbreaking for children, or feeble minded people and mockery. I feel bad for anyone who falls into the trap, simply for fame at any cost 💲🔍💎💄👠🎤🎬📢👦🏻🧟🐒🎲🌟🙏🏻

[@karencalder8540]

I was a volunteer for a charity that worked on behalf of the elderly who were being coercive controlled, abused and neglected. It broke me so I had to stop. I've been SA'd in my life and I've witnessed my sister being coercive controlled in an 11 year relationship without her letting me help. Parentification also played a part when my dad passed away and my mum went into single woman party mode. I was working and providing for my siblings and another came along 9 months later. This world is horrible sometimes. I still have issues with my mental health and physical health. I'm 37 and I feel so much older. My body is failing me and my brain is telling me bad things. I speak my mind due to Borderline personality disorder, but I'm glad in a way because now I'm no longer a doormat. I blamed myself for the DA and SA I suffered but years of therapy made me see it wasn't my fault.

[@aracelyreyes4920]

Thank u, Swoop, for another amazing doc. This one was a hard one for me. I was raised in a strict Catholic household, forced to take care of my younger sibling, blamed & shamed, isolated, & recently disowned for establishing boundaries, so I can heal from my toxic upbringing. This doc is a cautionary tale of the worst-case scenario that can be birthed from these extreme, religious, misogynistic families.

[@chadkarr7394]

If you were disowned by people for boundries, then you didnt need them anyhow. Look at it like vomiting-out poison. I wish you the best; be blessed.

[@therealmouseymouse]

Thank you Swoop, for talking so openly about such heavy topics and not shying away from calling these parents on their bullshit. I remember having friends who watched this show and how uncomfortable it always made me when it was on.

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

@therealmouseymouse i can't imagine what watching this show must have been for people not affiliated with IBLP. I was raised in IBLP & Ind. Fundie Baptist church. Did not watch the show - no need as I had already escaped. For 12 yrs I plotted to escape. Only1 friend left with me. The remnants of toxic intrusive thoughts still plague me nearly daily. The fear never leaves. I must be vague but 1 of us after the escape suffered a kidnapping attempt by a relative and other male elders in order to bring us back under righteous authority. They believe when man's laws conflict with their idea of God's laws it becomes their duty to violate man's laws. Worse than all of this, I miss my brother. My beautiful wonderful gay brother who fled the family for personal safety is no longer with us.

[@thepitpatrol]

Ok, let's not act like swoop is doing this out of some high calling. She does what she does for the same reason the Duggards did what they did. For clicks and cash.

[@alwaysflushinpublic]

Raised in the cult. Dad and 2 other elders beat my brother with pool sticks for being gay. He's dead. I seriously doubt Swoop has murdered anyone. And what else? 12 yrs to escape. Put in hiding as my dad and those 2 others came to kidnap me age 28. Seriously doubt Swoop has kidnapped anyonel

[@elisejolie8414]

@@alwaysflushinpublicI am so sorry for your loss. May he Rest In Peace. ❤️

[@secret99826]

i’ve been having a really hard time, my whole life but recently it’s been a lot i literally only have my boyfriend in my life and his phone has been taken, right in the middle of a fight, it’s because of me. your videos are helping me so much, thank you swoop. you’re so kind and intelligent, i wish i had someone like you in my life.

[@saiyamoru]

This is exactly how my mom was raised in the 60's. They lived on a farm and were very poor so they couldn't afford hired help in any way. The oldest sibling took care of the kids younger than her and so did the rest of the children. My mom was that oldest sibling. Their dad died when she was 16; everyone had to pitch in to help take care of one another then. It's a huge burden. It does make them grow up fast, but I think they also lose out on a lot of their childhood and even their ego in order to make sure other people are safe and well, because the adults around them can't fully manage. I can't even imagine what it's like with the number of kids they have.

[@emilybarclay8831]

Their daughters literally never had childhoods. They were sister-mums from the minute they could walk and then married the minute they were legal and made to pump out children of their own. They genuinely do not have any time to develop as people

[@awnutz]

Yes. But it was do or die. And that generation produced The Greatest Generation. My dad was born on a farm in Indiana in 1907. He was honest, frugal, humble, hardworking; earned a PhD on scholarships in physics from the University of Chicago and contributed significantly during WWII. I’m not all that sure we’re moving towards enlightenment.

[@babyleafsaladd5322]

Not a major thing but i think there’s something extremely fake about Michelle Duggar’s voice, and the way she always seems like she’s pleading for something. Idk whether it’s the tone or the register of her voice, but it definitely seems like she’s putting it on to make herself seem more innocent than she really is…

[@thomasoates3003]

I read in another comment section on the Duggars that, apparently, IBLP women are encouraged to speak in that manner as it allegedly makes them more appealing to men.

[@brendahhstiles9992]

@@thomasoates3003it’s just all so sick.

[@thomasoates3003]

@brendahhstiles9992 Agreed. The sooner that cult gets shut down the better.

[@Mostlyharmless1985]

It’s called the fundy baby voice. .

[@yugenknows740]

Love how thorough and "petty" (I'd call it more "righteous anger") your investigations are. Just subscribed.

[@CryptidMilky]

It's sad, I actually knew someone who grew up very similarly to the Duggars. They were forced to wear skirts, not allowed to cut or dye their hair, no nail polish, no ear piercings. They're not allowed to listen to anything but worship music, and love to cherry pick parts of the bible. You could tell the horrible teachings of the parents reflected on their children, and even later in life there was sa in their family among cousins - I still worry for those little girls and hope they're okay to date. My ex-friend wasn't allowed to go to college, was home-schooled half of her life, wasn't allowed to leave home until she was married, and was only allowed to talk to people in the 'message'. Her father was considered the 'head' and without his permission, she couldn't do anything and was known to put his hands on her growing up and even occasionally to date. Her mom is just as bad since I think her dad just stepped out of the picture all together at this point and is emotionally distant. Her family hated me and her mother talked about me and my family like we were sub-human because she had asked to come to a memorial for my Grandmother's passing. It's sickening. Listening to all of this, I just hear the same horror stories. It's sad to see people controlled heavily by fear and all the rules and restrictions. I feel like I'm listening to my ex-friends story when I hear this. I hope she sees this and maybe wakes up a little (she used to watch your docs, i don't know anymore)

[@ErinH-430]

I live very close to Crown College where Joe Duggar went. And apparently I live about 20 miles from the Bates and one of the Bates’ in-laws is a real estate agent in my community. But I see the women out who attend Crown. I accidentally call it Clown College. But these young women are out in groups of three shopping at Walmart or Hobby Lobby. An old friend of mine told me girls that attend Crown can only work at Kmart (which is no longer in business), Hobby Lobby, or Chick-fil-A. It’s sad, because these women don’t seem to have any time alone.

[@DrinkYourNailPolish]

You are spot on abt bad ppl using religion as a cover for all their heinous actions. It makes me very mad as a Christian b/c then these wicked ppl give the faith a bad rep.

[@karahershey]

Yes 100% makes use as Christians look bad

[@angelaluna7532]

Big reason why I left the Catholic Church and Christianity altogether.

[@awnutz]

Thank you for this comment. Christianity provides a moral compass and a sense of community for many people. Perhaps the Duggars have done us a service by putting this cult into the public spotlight. But none of these ideas exist in a vacuum. Less than a century ago, parentization was the norm. Adults worked constantly to provide food and shelter for their families. Children were needed to contribute to this struggle. High mortality rates made large families a necessity. And let’s look beyond this cult. Fundamentalist Islam? Scientology? Charles Manson? Women suffer universally. One of the biggest villains here is TLC and others like MTV that keep grinding out this trash. And people keep watching the crap! Great doc. Just asking people to see a bigger context. And BTW, I agree men don’t belong in women’s restrooms. They’re pigs. Let them pee alll over the place in their own bathrooms.

[@Suilimea]

What saddens and frustrates me the most is that they share the same religious beliefs as me and do such awful things that will always end up reflecting back on me because I'm under the "same umbrella" as them. I do NOT want to be associated with these types of people, and it disturbs me how awful they treated their kids. The strict conservative shit has NEVER gone well, and it will always backfire. I've seen it first-hand with former friends and family.

[@joannaellis7890]

Psalm 81:2- "Raise a song, strike the tamborine [a PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT" Also lets not forget that Jesus said that if can't keep your eyes to yourself, gouge them out

[@thriftynurse]

I read Jill is the one who told, Josh only admitted after he was told on. There is an episode where he calls Jill a tattletale or something along those lines (before this was public knowledge), so I'd bet it's true. I'm so glad Jill has done her own thing and seems to be getting away from all that she grew up with.

[@hello.queerdo]

Thank you so much for educating on coercive control and parentification I really needed to hear this! I am a survivor of parental abuse and long ago cut ties with my abuser. Not long ago my sister has also been able to free herself from the situation but I learned that after 10 years of me leaving things only got worse for my siblings and family. This will help us to heal just knowing what to call the abuse we endured Thank you

[@xoxoasmr111]

my mom went to a church like this growing up and the skirts oh my goodness, but at this church men couldn’t grow a beard and woman had to wear their hair in a bun. those people are so mean and hateful. it is still going on to this day. they hate my mom now because she didn’t raise us that way. it really is a disgusting cult. i am so grateful my mom didn’t put me into that as a child.