The Amish Restoration Team

Last year, over 300 abuse cases were documented by what is known as the “Restoration Team” in Holmes and Wayne County, Ohio.

Fewer than 10 of those cases ever made it to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

So what’s happening in between?

In this episode, Jasper brings you into the beginning of her investigation into the Restoration Team—an Amish-led intervention group presented to churches as a safe haven for handling abuse within the community.

What unfolds is not a simple system, but a layered and complex structure involving steering committees, church authority, and internal processes that shape how—and if—abuse cases move forward.

These recordings capture conversations with Amish women in real time, as they describe the barriers they face when trying to report abuse, seek help, and pursue justice.

This episode is intentionally left as it was originally recorded, allowing listeners to follow the learning process as it happened—before later developments and deeper understanding came to light.

In the next episode, we expand on this conversation with insight from Ohio law enforcement and revisit a case referenced here, including new developments.

This is where the conversation begins.

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