A supporter wrote to me recently, saying that even though our automated statement generator carries bold red words —
“YOUR IDENTITY WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO THE CFO”
— many people still don’t feel safe making a written statement.
I understand that fear. The fear of losing family. The fear of being judged for past actions. The fear that speaking up will bring more pain than relief. These fears are heavy, and I know them well — I’ve lived them too.
For a long time, the only thing that prevented me from starting Samson Rising was the hope that I still had a relationship with my loved ones inside the CFO. But when I was honest with myself, I realised what remained wasn’t a real relationship. It was a fragile facade — the bare minimum my CFO family gave me so I wouldn’t speak out about the abuse I’d seen. Coming to terms with that was heartbreaking.
I mourned those relationships deeply. The grief was real, knowing I’d already lost them. But then I learned that life does go on, even after great loss. When a close family member passed away, I realised that while I would always miss them, I could still find strength to keep living. That loss taught me I could survive heartbreak — and it gave me the courage to face what I had been avoiding.
Each time I speak with my CFO children I brace for the words I dread. “We’re not going to see you any more Dad.” My beautiful children are sensible people. I hope they’ll change their minds when the truth becomes unmistakable.
But my focus now is my grandchildren. As painful as the break with my children will be, my duty to protect the vulnerable must come first. Their safety and well-being matter more than preserving a fragile truce with their parents.
And here’s the truth: staying silent will not bring those relationships back. It will not repair or heal what has been broken. Inaction only allows the CFO’s grip to tighten on another generation.
When we launched the anonymous survey, it was designed to help people take a small, safe step forward — and it worked. People realised they could speak up anonymously without fear. Later, when written statements began to come in, the same thing happened — nothing bad came of it. Instead, people felt empowered. They saw that every statement, every step forward, added strength to a movement with a real chance of success.
Today we have 57 complaints. That’s no small thing. Each one is a resource we can take to the many authorities which exist to protect us. But investigators are stretched thin, and numbers count. To get attention, to compel action, we need a steady stream of statements.
I know it feels risky. I know you might fear being cut off completely. But ask yourself — how long has the uneasy truce between you and your CFO family really lasted? Has it ever truly been whole, or has it only grown more fragile as the CFO’s message of ostracisation grows louder?
And for those who worry they might be implicated for something they saw or took part in — please listen. I’ve walked with many people in that position. I’ve explained why they are not in legal jeopardy and how their fear stems from misunderstanding the law. Many of them have since provided statements, found peace, a sense of forgiveness, and purpose by helping others.
We are closer than ever to a tipping point. If enough of us take that next step, we can break through. But if too many hold back, the CFO will grow bolder. Another generation will suffer.
This journey has not been easy for me. It has involved pain, loss, and courage I didn’t know I had. But it has also brought healing — even reports of reunions with family members once thought lost. Others have told me they feel freer and stronger since Samson Rising began.
We cannot let this burden fall on a few shoulders. We cannot let fear win. Please — for your own healing, for your family, and for the children who will one day look back at this moment — take that next step forward.
Prayer is good. Hope is good. But action is what will change things. Just as Samson had to push the pillars himself, we too must act with courage and faith.
Together, we will break the silence, protect the vulnerable and make sure no more families are torn apart.
— Samson
Ten minutes of your time — that’s all it takes to make your statement. On behalf of everyone helping Samson Rising, please take the next small step.
Anonymous – Samson
Lisa Hunt is a writer, survivor advocate, and former pastor with over three decades of leadership and community work. After leaving a high-control religious system, she dedicated her life to amplifying survivor voices and pursuing accountability for organisations that cause harm.
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