I wish and hope all the woman will get protection and help they need. I agree it's not the Amish those horrible stories are everywhere, but to just bring awareness to the community and hope that will bring a conviction to many. Such a tragedy, my hears goes for those and all girls/woman who witnessed and experienced those devastating moments.
10 Reviews
Awareness is essential to change.
nloeffler876 June 2022
I had read a few articles and memoirs composed by survivors of the Amish cult before watching this series so I wasn't "shocked" by the depravity but I was still disgusted by what these women and children were subjected to. The Amish and other similar communities need to face intervention from the real world to put a stop to the abuse and hold those committing these crimes accountable. Something is seriously wrong with these people - raping your own children and then justifying it with a fake religion is insane.
Sad & a Moving story to be seen tell what's going on behind the Amish walls. l
mariascookin29 May 2022
I hope everyone gets to see this documentary about this Amish community and how women are treated by the Amish Men community. These women and children need to be protected. This is what true conservatives are all about. They're choosing not to support women's rights. I strongly believe this is why Roe v Wade should not be overturned.
Abuse of America's children, the Amish Children.
TxMike25 May 2022
This two-part documentary just became available streaming on Peacock, running just under two hours total.
It focuses sequentially on several women in several states with substantial Amish communities. Each of these women are either victims of child sexual abuse growing up, or the mother of children who have suffered sexual abuse within the family. Most are victims of their own older brothers but in some cases their own fathers or church leaders.
The documentary seems to suggest that sexual abuse of children is very common in various Amish communities. Whether it is or not more common than the rest of society, the fact that leaders always want to cover it up is distressing. It is a CRIME, it should never be covered up. Maybe if every offender went to jail then it would stop.
The film explains the church attitude that (1) men and boys past puberty have strong sexual desires and (2) if they act on them but later express remorse then they are forgiven with no need for additional action. Further if victims, or the mother of victims, contact the police with a complaint then they will be expelled from the community, excommunicated from the church, while the abuser gets the benefit of the doubt and support from the community. That is just so messed up.
The documentary does also cover some cases where the abuser was reported and how the legal punishment played out but the Amish attitude needs to be changed. If not voluntarily then forceably.
Those interviewed and the producers of the documentary hope this will serve to begin a movement to expose the sins of the Amish, and they compare it to such movements as the Civil Rights movement. Time will tell if it works out that way.
I found this to be a totally absorbing documentary, a glimpse into a culture with its own unique rules, a culture few of us ever have a glimpse of.
It focuses sequentially on several women in several states with substantial Amish communities. Each of these women are either victims of child sexual abuse growing up, or the mother of children who have suffered sexual abuse within the family. Most are victims of their own older brothers but in some cases their own fathers or church leaders.
The documentary seems to suggest that sexual abuse of children is very common in various Amish communities. Whether it is or not more common than the rest of society, the fact that leaders always want to cover it up is distressing. It is a CRIME, it should never be covered up. Maybe if every offender went to jail then it would stop.
The film explains the church attitude that (1) men and boys past puberty have strong sexual desires and (2) if they act on them but later express remorse then they are forgiven with no need for additional action. Further if victims, or the mother of victims, contact the police with a complaint then they will be expelled from the community, excommunicated from the church, while the abuser gets the benefit of the doubt and support from the community. That is just so messed up.
The documentary does also cover some cases where the abuser was reported and how the legal punishment played out but the Amish attitude needs to be changed. If not voluntarily then forceably.
Those interviewed and the producers of the documentary hope this will serve to begin a movement to expose the sins of the Amish, and they compare it to such movements as the Civil Rights movement. Time will tell if it works out that way.
I found this to be a totally absorbing documentary, a glimpse into a culture with its own unique rules, a culture few of us ever have a glimpse of.
Justice MUST be served!
arosewinters13 February 2024
This series was incredibly eye opening!!
As a victim of sexual assault (also in the United States) I am truly grateful to Law Enforcement and legal support that allows survivors like us peace and security. It's mind blowing that similar crimes occur (in the same USA) in small Amish communities, and the perpetrators receive very different sentences! Thanks to Netflix for the time and dedication to this project.
SO proud of these women for coming together and sharing their deeply personal stories with the world in hopes of providing support, courage, and strength to the young victims and survivors!
As a victim of sexual assault (also in the United States) I am truly grateful to Law Enforcement and legal support that allows survivors like us peace and security. It's mind blowing that similar crimes occur (in the same USA) in small Amish communities, and the perpetrators receive very different sentences! Thanks to Netflix for the time and dedication to this project.
SO proud of these women for coming together and sharing their deeply personal stories with the world in hopes of providing support, courage, and strength to the young victims and survivors!
The documentary is accurate and fair.
mysethfriend14 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Some commenters are complaining that the documentary is a smear and completely unfair. It is not. The Amish form an insular society where women are suppressed and have been for centuries. They call it being "plain." But it is much darker than that. If proof be needed, note how every single Amish person --- including the women --- were at the trial in support of the rapist. This is not a "one-off." This is what their conformist society demands. The biggest sin in their eyes is to reveal to the outside world what is really going on, and that is what the brave women in this documentary did. I learned from this documentary and I believe it to be accurate.
Moving and rage inducing
rosa_alba-741306 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This mini series is heartbreaking. It is awful beyond words, to watch these women and children, who have been the victims of horrible abuse.
And it is even more unbearable that this is at the hands of brothers, fathers and elders of the church.
Mothers are so brainwashed, and probably victimized too, that so few can stand up for, and defend their children.
How is it, that when men are put in charge of the community, to this degree, it always goes so ill for women and children.
It can be compared to Daesh, Taleban, WJ's LDS and other fanatical communities.
Why do they allways fall into rampant mysogyny, and something that looks very much like real hatred of females ?
It is nothing short of rage inducing, to know that such communities exist, and continue to exist.
Other reviewers have protested, that this is not "The Amish Way", but if even a fraction of what is told and shown here is true, it is too much, and all energy should be focused on ending it.
If the whole is true, they should litterally be banned as a terrorist organisation.
What is done to women and children is the work of terrorists.
And it is even more unbearable that this is at the hands of brothers, fathers and elders of the church.
Mothers are so brainwashed, and probably victimized too, that so few can stand up for, and defend their children.
How is it, that when men are put in charge of the community, to this degree, it always goes so ill for women and children.
It can be compared to Daesh, Taleban, WJ's LDS and other fanatical communities.
Why do they allways fall into rampant mysogyny, and something that looks very much like real hatred of females ?
It is nothing short of rage inducing, to know that such communities exist, and continue to exist.
Other reviewers have protested, that this is not "The Amish Way", but if even a fraction of what is told and shown here is true, it is too much, and all energy should be focused on ending it.
If the whole is true, they should litterally be banned as a terrorist organisation.
What is done to women and children is the work of terrorists.
Not Informative Or Helpful
helenahandbasket-9373426 May 2022
For the most part, the 'experts' state the most obvious facts- the communities are male-oriented, dominated, ordained. Well duh.
Just because you don't like/understand their way of living doesn't make it wrong; there's many thriving Amish communities with no issues. Most you'll never hear of because they don't seek attention. Most communities are what we'd consider small- a population that of a small farm town barely incorporated.
The mental health issues are sad, and there's bound to be those who suffer with little to no attention other than being deemed possessed. But the rest of the 'civilized' world isn't too far ahead of this. Given time one would guess they'll have strides in this area, but there's no way to know for sure.
The family that for some reason decided to become Amish, then these children were abused? You know better and you're capable of fleeing- there's absolutely no reason for this abuse to occur, much less continue.
The family of mom and two daughters? I have zero sympathy nor empathy towards the mother- there's simply no valid reason for her atrocious behavior and actions towards her daughters. How she isn't completely abandoned by her daughters is a mystery, and I hope that some day they're strong enough to cut ties with her and let her lay in the abomination of a bed she made. She's gross and a disgusting excuse for a mother, and I sincerely hope the girls are getting the help they so desperately need. It's not complicated, and it's not difficult, mom is trying to absolve her reprehensible behavior by claiming her own victim status, and that, in and of itself, is condescending and ignorant.
Mary is the most in need of help, yet seems to be the one who hasn't gotten any. She's angry, she's throwing tantrums like a child, hurling expletives like a 12-year old that has just learned how to swear. I feel badly for her circumstances but it's difficult to muster any sympathy when she doesn't seem the least bit sympathetic. Her anger and vitriol make her seem self righteous and vile- and it leads me to believe she's in need of serious mental health services.
This series seems hellbent on a very specific bent towards portraying all Amish as evil incarnate, and willing to cast their children to the wolves, when in most areas, that's the furthest thing from the truth. Most communities thrive and prosper with little to no issues- and their ability to forgive has been a shining light to the rest of us. As an example, the gunman who opened fire on an entire schoolhouse, at West Nickel Mines Lancaster County, PA., but not before raping numerous little girls. Charles Roberts shot 10 and killed 5 in 2006, then turned the gun on himself, and the community encircled his widow and forgave.
Every single community in the world has evil dwelling among them- the Amish are certainly no exception. But to portray this as 'The Amish' as if their entire grouping is somehow guilty is disingenuous and gross. It's simply no different than castigating the entirety of the Muslim community for one person shooting Fort Hood. Saying everyone who dwells below the Mason-Dixon Line are all backwards racists because one person committed the crime of fire bombing churches. Amish pay taxes the way the rest of America does, and every community has wickedness. Stop behaving as if they're all bad because some are awful people.
Just because you don't like/understand their way of living doesn't make it wrong; there's many thriving Amish communities with no issues. Most you'll never hear of because they don't seek attention. Most communities are what we'd consider small- a population that of a small farm town barely incorporated.
The mental health issues are sad, and there's bound to be those who suffer with little to no attention other than being deemed possessed. But the rest of the 'civilized' world isn't too far ahead of this. Given time one would guess they'll have strides in this area, but there's no way to know for sure.
The family that for some reason decided to become Amish, then these children were abused? You know better and you're capable of fleeing- there's absolutely no reason for this abuse to occur, much less continue.
The family of mom and two daughters? I have zero sympathy nor empathy towards the mother- there's simply no valid reason for her atrocious behavior and actions towards her daughters. How she isn't completely abandoned by her daughters is a mystery, and I hope that some day they're strong enough to cut ties with her and let her lay in the abomination of a bed she made. She's gross and a disgusting excuse for a mother, and I sincerely hope the girls are getting the help they so desperately need. It's not complicated, and it's not difficult, mom is trying to absolve her reprehensible behavior by claiming her own victim status, and that, in and of itself, is condescending and ignorant.
Mary is the most in need of help, yet seems to be the one who hasn't gotten any. She's angry, she's throwing tantrums like a child, hurling expletives like a 12-year old that has just learned how to swear. I feel badly for her circumstances but it's difficult to muster any sympathy when she doesn't seem the least bit sympathetic. Her anger and vitriol make her seem self righteous and vile- and it leads me to believe she's in need of serious mental health services.
This series seems hellbent on a very specific bent towards portraying all Amish as evil incarnate, and willing to cast their children to the wolves, when in most areas, that's the furthest thing from the truth. Most communities thrive and prosper with little to no issues- and their ability to forgive has been a shining light to the rest of us. As an example, the gunman who opened fire on an entire schoolhouse, at West Nickel Mines Lancaster County, PA., but not before raping numerous little girls. Charles Roberts shot 10 and killed 5 in 2006, then turned the gun on himself, and the community encircled his widow and forgave.
Every single community in the world has evil dwelling among them- the Amish are certainly no exception. But to portray this as 'The Amish' as if their entire grouping is somehow guilty is disingenuous and gross. It's simply no different than castigating the entirety of the Muslim community for one person shooting Fort Hood. Saying everyone who dwells below the Mason-Dixon Line are all backwards racists because one person committed the crime of fire bombing churches. Amish pay taxes the way the rest of America does, and every community has wickedness. Stop behaving as if they're all bad because some are awful people.
A misguided broad-brushing
Bachfeuer26 May 2022
I made the acquaintance of a language professor, whose study of the "Pennsylvania Dutch" language led to his becoming a mediator with the outside world for various Amish communities in Pennsylvania and the mid-west. He portrayed a nuanced, decent, often beautiful way of life that maintains an equilibrium by the Rumspringa, a process of each young adult deciding whether or not to commit to the "plain" life. To the young people who do take it on, mainstream life seems noisy and distasteful. I have come to understand the Amish as fundamentally different from all the genuinely repressive, retrograde cults and sects they superficially resemble. I have no doubt that the individual horror stories in the series are authentic. But I take great exception to any claim that they are typical, representative, or more prevalent than in mainstream society. That is a bum rap!
Disgraceful generalization - not a documentary
SFisch130210 June 2022
This is not a documentary. This is a disgraceful generalization of the Amish and Mennonite community. As a Mennonite, deeply engrained in my community, I can say that this is an unfair and inaccurate representation of us as a people.
We are pacifists. This "documentary" is an unfortunate exploitation of the experiences of a few individuals. It is apparent that no due diligence was done to ensure that the statements of absolution made by "experts" are fact - and not broad generalizations.
It is disrespectful to both the victims and the Amish/Mennonite communities.
This is inflammatory and should be removed from Peacock. It deserves zero stars.
We are pacifists. This "documentary" is an unfortunate exploitation of the experiences of a few individuals. It is apparent that no due diligence was done to ensure that the statements of absolution made by "experts" are fact - and not broad generalizations.
It is disrespectful to both the victims and the Amish/Mennonite communities.
This is inflammatory and should be removed from Peacock. It deserves zero stars.
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