She said she reported her complaints to Camardoafter Aarums denials were posted online at the camp website. These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, He was my identity: How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma. Wayne Aarum and his wife, Julie, in an interview with WKBW-TV about allegations that Wayne Aarum inappropriately touched girls and young women while a youth minister at The Chapel and at Circle. Last week's investigation by USA TODAY Network New York State Team reporters Sarah Taddeo and Georgie Silvarole is just such an example. . They initiated the whole process because she wanted [him] not to be able to work with kids anymore. The leadership of New York Christian camp Circle C Ranch defended operations director Wayne Aarum against claims that he engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with multiple girls beginning decades ago, saying an internal investigation showed there was no substantial credible evidence of misconduct. More history on Circle C Ranch can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_C_Ranch. My youth group never went back to Circle C.. A camp director and pastor with ties to a megachurch in western New York has been accused of inappropriately touching more than 20 women when they were teenage girls. In a written statement issued Friday, Circle C Ranch leadership also suggested that "false memories" could have been planted in accusers' minds. 1.) He also currently serves as pastor of theFirst Baptist Church of Arcade, New York. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial, according to the court filing. Wes Aarum preaches at Kingdom Bound at Darien Lake in 2012. In a written response to the allegations posted on its website, Circle C leaders defended Aarum, saying he has been systematically denied the right of every person in the American systemto know and confront accusers, and alleged that The Chapels leadership turned to social media influencers and the pastors of other churches to help distribute its anonymous claims., The leaders said sponsoring anonymous claims is directly counter to the Bibles specific teachings., In another documentone of seven on the siteCircle C accused the Chapel, a megachurch with an enormous budget, well over $12 million annually, of trying to acquire the Ranchs property, a very choice 315 acres of rural land, by demanding a board restructuring to exclude members of the family that began the Ranch in 1968 and has run it ever since.. Carnahan had attended First Baptist Church of Arcade, where Aarum is pastor, and volunteered at the Circle C Ranch in the winter, she said. That can be the case in the busiest of news years (ahem, 2020) or on the slowest of news days. I am who I am. OPTION 1: Bring your Youth Group. It's vital people describing trauma or harm be listened to with sensitivity and patience; coming forward is often an act of courage. Call our office at: (716) 492-3687. The board which consists of Wayne Aarum, his brother, Wes, and Daryl Dekalb posted a 34-page report on the camp's website, along with a response to Norris report and various statements objecting to the Chapels actions. He continues as First Baptist Church of Arcade pastor and Circle C Ranch director. As a result of her abuse, Snell experienced mental and psychological effects, including fear and anxiety that have required professional treatment, the lawsuit alleges. Report stated 21 women have made allegations. You have permission to edit this article. According to a . Click here to read the statement from Circle C Ranch. Holding a crusade in a town nearby Wes was introduced to a man named Bill Daily who worked construction and was also a master stone worker. Aarum denies the allegations against him and continues to operate the Circle C Ranch. God knew that Wes would need a man that would be a confidant, a prayer partner, on who could give wise counsel and one who had the same soul-winning burden and vision for the camp that he had. At this age, he began to take care of his health. The Chapel first hired MinistrySafe in 2019 to improve its policies after unrelated sexual abuse allegations at its Lockport worship site were reported by The Buffalo News in 2019. Norris runs MinistrySafe, which provides training and screening to prevent child sex abuse in churches, camps, youth sports and other settings. Sticht, who said she worked at the summer camp from 2000 to 2003, said she witnessed Aarum hug a girl in a way that his fingers would be touching the underwire of her bra., Id see Wayne touching these girls, exactly the ones we knew he would, at the rock climbing wall, Stitch said. The allegations also were referred to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating, according to Sgt. "This is why we're suspicious of these charges. If you are new to the Web site, be sure to complete the Sign Up information to receive a password to the private and secured portions of the site. Its all lightweight stuff theyre bringing up anyway, Dekalb said. I dont want anyone else to have to go through what I went through. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? An internal investigation earlier this year by Texas attorney Kimberlee Norris found 21 women who alleged Aarum touched them inappropriately when they were teenagers or young women. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage - $14,800. A former camper and staff member at Circle C Ranch,a Christian camp in Cattaraugus County, has filed a lawsuit against the camp and its president, Wayne Aarum, accusing Aarum of grooming and sexually victimizing her between the ages of 9 and 16. It is very difficult to do this kind of work successfully from across the room. Email:[emailprotected] Two men face multiple charges following a chase and search Saturday night in the Town of Collins, Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reported Tuesday. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The longtime director of a Christian youth camp in Delevan is refusing to step down despite complaints that he inappropriately touched young women and girls. Some of the allegations date back to the 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at The Chapel. In addition, a contemporaneous writing provided evidence that the behaviors were previously reported to camp leadership. Powered by Kenny & Elle Campbell and friends of victims of abuse. DeKalb suggested that the allegations were part of a campaign by Chapel leaders to acquire the youth camp. Mr. Barker became the Vice-president and chairman fo the Circle C Ranch Board adn has worked with Wes in that capacity up to this very day. Wayne Aarum, pastor accused of abusing teens, sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M. Investigation: 16 women say this pastor and camp president abused them. Drew Silleman. This website was created for residents in order to provide you with more convenience and opportunities to share ideas and information; get news and announcements; access an online resource center for important association documents and forms; join discussion forums; utilize the member directory; and much more. WHAT TO BRING: WHAT NOT TO BRING: ONE WEEK OF SUMMER CAMP Circle C Ranch 2023 Rate $345 WEEK 1: July 10th-15th (Monday - Saturday) WEEK 2: July 17th-22nd (Monday - Saturday) All meals included All lodging included All activities included REGISTER HERE FOR THE BEST WEEK EVER! Norris also wrote to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services with a list of dozens of inappropriate actions alleged against Aarum, including entering cabins without knocking or announcing himself, while girls were changing clothes; meeting alone with girls in his office after lights out; whispering intimate statements to girls, such as I love you and You are so beautiful; and giving back massages that included rubbing of girls buttocks. Aarum also said in a video posted to the Circle C Ranch website this summer that he never received complaints at the time the alleged abuse occurred about his behavior in either positions he's held at The Chapel or at Circle C Ranch. I dont want any more children to come through his camp.. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. Last week, Aarum filed a civil lawsuit against The Chapel alleging defamatory statements. In its response to Norris' report, the Circle C Ranch board suggests that the volume of complaints against Aarum was related to the work he did, often with troubled teenagers. The letter says 27 individuals offered corroborating evidence for the 21 victims, including former Circle C employees, church leaders, and volunteers who witnessed inappropriate behaviors. But the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team heard from multiple women who said they were not included in the MinistrySafe investigation, which examined claims stretching as far back as the 1990s, and who said their allegations stem from a time at Circle C Ranch between 2000 and 2016. People brought this to his attention. Nothing happened. Your support allows us to continue to produce quality journalism, week in and week out. Check the lists below! It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. Speaking the truth to a difficult situation can be met with hostility, fear, and a wide variety of other responses., The boards own investigative report also suggested that the unidentified women cited in Norris report may have misinterpreted Aarums gestures of good will because of a common type of trauma in their past that makes them ultra-sensitive to certain kinds of verbal Bible teaching or certain physical actions such as hugs that are entirely appropriate and not at all offensive to other women in the same circumstances.. Yet the information reporters learn has to be vetted as well as it can be, too. The board also claims that the Chapel is attempting to use the womens claims to generate controversy and take over the 315-acre rural camp that has been in the Aarum family since 1968. 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