Date: May 8, 2021
From: Cherin Marie 
To: Anne Kessler
Cc: Eve Ahrens, Joanna Rudenborg, [Redacted], Stewart Ruch, Brenda Dumper, Eirik Olsen, Steve Williamson, Helen Keuning 

Dear Anne,

After speaking with Cherie at GRS yesterday I regretfully need to formally end my participation in our collaborative efforts with the diocese. I communicated to all of you in February that I had serious concerns over whether anyone other than GRACE could safely carry out this type of investigation, which led to me specifically urging the diocese to hire GRACE, when they were safely able to investigate Mark. I also explained that hiring someone other than GRACE would likely mean I could no longer participate in this process, as it would make it inherently unsafe for me to do so. Sadly, my conversation with Cherie confirmed that the GRS investigation is not at all what we were asking or hoping for. Parts of it are actually the opposite of what we carefully outlined to the diocese as essential and non-negotiable components of a safe, independent investigation.  

One significant concern I would like to highlight is that GRS does not have any protocol or safeguards in place to protect against harming [Cherin’s daughter]’s case (or that of any new victims who come forward). This is gravely concerning, both for the sake of [Cherin’s daughter]’s case against Mark, but also for any victims who might unknowingly open up to GRS. GRACE, in the instance of a new victim disclosing abuse would immediately put a stop to the interview and refer a victim to the proper authorities, to prevent any duplicate testimonies that could later be used to discredit them. GRS will not do this, and seem unaware that this is even a concern they should be aware of, which is frankly horrifying to me.

There are many additional troubling things from my talk with Cherie that I have chosen not to go into detail about. We put a great deal of effort into explaining what essential things would allow for an investigation that’s safe for victims, both known and unknown; I honestly do not have the emotional energy to go through all of this in detail, to explain why GRS does not meet the non-negotiable requirements that we carefully outlined for you.  

I appreciate how hard you have worked on this, and for your desire to reach out to victims, but I need to formally express that I cannot support this investigation and I cannot take part in it. We indicated that this kind of investigation, if done wrong or carried out by an inexperienced firm, can do more harm than good for victims; I pray that is not the case here. I sincerely hope this investigation brings new victims forward and into a place where they can receive help and healing.

Sincerely,

Cherin