Monrovia – A group mobilized in October 2018 in response to the ProPublica report on More Than Me (MTM) is calling for the resignation of the founder of MTM, Ms. Katie Meyler. They further urged the government that should she refuses to step down, the government should recommend her removal as head of the American charity.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, [email protected]
Also among its demands, they recommend the dissolution of the entire board and appointment of a new administration of qualified individuals who will prioritize the best interests of Liberian children.
Africans for Accountability (AFA), which is making the demands, comprises of groups of multidisciplinary professionals including Liberians living at home and abroad, as well as people from across the African diaspora.
“We came together organically, many of us strangers to each other, now united for a common cause. In less than 2 weeks we are 50 strong. We could no longer sit back and watch business as usual, in this instance, abuse of children while under the supervision of people who owed them a duty of care,” AFA stated.
“What affects one affects all. We are not safe until all of us are safe. We endeavor to move beyond mere response, only after the fact, to responsive activism and advocacy that ensures adequate standards for each because we are champions,” the further said in their statement.
“MTM must be held accountable for the rapes and sexual abuse perpetrated against victims who were students in their school, one as young as 10 years old.”
“MTM has blamed what it calls ‘Liberia’s rape culture,’ and the systemic problems faced by NGOs operating in Liberia, for this violent act by McIntosh Johnson, the co-founder of MTM, who was given the authority to run the school, often in his co-founder Katie Meyler’s absence.
“However, the organization has not taken steps to ensure that the survivors of the rapes are protected or to minimize the possibility of future abuses.”
According to court records from a 2014 prosecution case, 10 underage girls testified, and as many as 30 girls were named as potential rape victims of McIntosh Johnson.
According to AFA, since then, there have been subsequent allegations of misconduct, including a 2016 report of the rape of another minor entrusted to MTM’s care, by yet another MTM staffer.
Notably, MTM was established as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit entity in the United States of America with its mission to use the education of girls as a catalyst for transformative social change in Liberia.
“This purported mission encompasses providing a safe space that protects these very children from sexual exploitation. Conversely, MTM failed in its mission and continued to place its interests above the best interest of the children, which is the paramount standard in child protection.
“These rapes occurred specifically because MTM failed to institute sound measures to adequately protect the young girls entrusted in their care.”
AFA accused Ms. Meyler and others for ignoring and attempting to cover up repeated reports of sexual misconduct by its staff and did not properly investigate the allegations of sexual misconduct.
“Instead, calls to address the misconduct were met with defensiveness on the part of the organization’s co-founder, Katie Meyler, in which she minimized the victimization of the girls who were raped, arguing that the benefits of the services MTM provides outweigh the wrongdoings.”
“With regard to the protection of children, MTM continues to show a lack of objective qualification beyond mere social media campaigning and should not be allowed to continue this work.
“Considering the crimes perpetrated against children to which MTM owed a duty of care, and the subsequent cover-up and failure to take responsibility, we the Africans for Accountability, emphatically and unequivocally condemn MTM’s negligence and willful malfeasance.
AFA said they remain resolute in seeking adequate redress for victims and holding MTM accountable.
Additionally, AFA is demanding monetary compensation from MTM to the victims and their guardians, which will cover their pain and suffering, as well as fund their continued care, including therapy, counseling, and coverage of past and future medical expenses.
The group demands that full audit of MTM’s finances and financial management practices.
At the same time AFA is insisting on the establishment and enforcement, by the government of Liberia and interested parties, of standardized education and child protection reforms, including background checks for staff and volunteers, periodic sex abuse trainings, a no sleepover or late-night policy, and a whistleblower protection policy, among other recognized child protection standards of care, in conformance with the Children’s Law of Liberia.
Additionally, the group said they will pursue the regulatory investigation and appropriate censuring of MTM in all relevant jurisdictions.