Sign the Petition! Should Maple Creek Support Rapid Relief Team?
The Issue
Before you read the full petition:
What is this petition about?
· Who? Maple Creek Town Council and the Rapid Relief Team (RRT).
· What? Council is being asked not to establish an official partnership with, sponsor, endorse, or promote RRT.
· Why? This petition sets out evidence that RRT’s own conduct, public activities, and corporate behaviour raise serious questions about whether it is an appropriate organization for the Town to publicly support.
· Where? Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.
What are we asking Council to do?
We are not asking Council to prevent RRT from operating in Maple Creek, nor are we criticising the many volunteers who generously give their time.
We are asking Council to:
· Decline to enter into any official partnership with Rapid Relief Team.
· Refrain from sponsoring, endorsing, or promoting RRT through Town activities or communications.
· Carefully consider the evidence presented in this petition before making any future decisions involving RRT.
· Protect the Town’s reputation by applying appropriate due diligence to any organization seeking its public endorsement.
If you believe Maple Creek should exercise careful judgment before lending its name and reputation to any outside organization, we invite you to read the petition and, if you agree, sign in support.
My Story
I was born in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, into the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC). Although my family had lived in the community for generations, my childhood was spent inside a closed religious system that controlled almost every aspect of daily life.
As a child growing up in Maple Creek, I was sexually abused and trafficked by Alan Drever
For decades, I remained silent. Like so many survivors, I buried what had happened and tried to move on with my life. Eventually, I reached the point where I could no longer stay silent. I decided that if speaking out helped even one other survivor find their voice, it would be worth whatever consequences followed. I did a police report over 2 days and went on a podcast and shared part of my story. After that podcast, many people reached out to me from inside the PBCC and former members that had also been abused.
In 2022, I launched the Get A Life Podcast, giving former members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church a platform to tell their stories. Since then, hundreds of people from around the world have shared their experiences of child sexual abuse, coercive control, family separation and life inside the church.
In 2025, my husband had a conversation with Alan Drever where he said sorry to me and also said that he 'probably' harmed other people in Maple Creek. After receiving no help from the PBCC, I published this video. Instead of engaging with the issues being raised, the Rapid Relief Team began issuing copyright takedown notices against my YouTube videos. Those takedowns escalated into litigation in the United States, where RRT is now suing me over my public commentary.
Although RRT says the case is about copyright, it has become an international story because journalists, legal commentators and free speech advocates have questioned whether copyright law is being used to silence criticism. Alan Drever has been a RRT volunteer and was photographed here in May 2023.
Today, after surviving child sexual abuse and spending years helping other survivors tell their stories, I now find myself defending my own right to speak.
This case has attracted international attention from journalists, legal commentators and free speech advocates.
The court case that has been launched against me is so shocking it is being reported on all around the globe. Below are some of the articles and quotes covering the litigation from Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand.
The Age (Australia)- This issue has also been covered by The Age, one of Australia's most respected and influential newspapers, known for its investigative journalism.
"The Exclusive Brethren's Australian-based charity, the Rapid Relief Team, is suing a former member who escaped the church aged 17 after what she says was years of childhood sexual abuse." "Court documents show the Kookaburra logo, Cookie, was bought by the charity in September last year. The purchase occurred soon after Bawtinheimer's husband confronted her alleged abuser at his home in Canada."
"The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is a $22 billion cult using a bogus claim over a cartoon kookaburra to silence a child sex abuse victim, according to a legal document filed in a United States court."
The Roys Report (USA)- The Roys Report is an independent Christian investigative news outlet founded by journalist Julie Roys. It reports on abuse, corruption, misconduct, and failures of accountability within churches and Christian organizations, with a strong focus on exposing wrongdoing and amplifying survivors’ voices.
https://roysreport.com/australian-charity-sues-canadian-abuse-survivor-over-cookie-mascot/
"The outcome could set a precedent for how charities respond to criticism from survivors, and how far international organizations can reach into Canadians' lives."
Inforum- is a leading U.S. regional news outlet serving North Dakota and Minnesota, known for its in-depth reporting and investigative journalism.
"What followed was a YouTube battle between RRT, a charity worth millions run by Brethren volunteers, and Bawtinheimer-Hope, a podcaster who is relying on a GoFundMe..."
Technology and Marketing Law Blog- Professor Cathay Smith (USA)- The Technology & Marketing Law Blog is a respected U.S. legal publication covering internet, technology, intellectual-property and online speech law. Professor Cathay Y. N. Smith, a copyright-law scholar at Chicago-Kent College of Law, contributed an analysis of the RRT lawsuit, describing the use of copyright claims to suppress criticism as “copyright silencing.”
"So, what is going on here? Does RRT and PBCC, a $22 billion organization, really care that their logo is in the background of videos on a YouTube channel with fewer than 2,000 subscribers? Or is this about something else? (Spoiler alert! It's about something else.)"
"RRT's copyright lawsuit looks, swims, and quacks like copyright silencing."
Medicine Hat Owl News (Canada)- Medicine Hat Owl News is an independent online news outlet based in Medicine Hat, Alberta, known for its investigative reporting and coverage of local and regional issues.
"An Australian charity affiliated with the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is suing a Canadian sexual abuse survivor in U.S. federal court over her use of a cartoon kookaburra mascot in YouTube videos — a case that critics say bears all the hallmarks of a SLAPP lawsuit designed to intimidate rather than resolve a genuine dispute."
Channel 10 News Australia- Channel 10 is one of Australia’s major national television networks, providing news and current affairs coverage across the country.
Leighton Associates (New Zealand)- Leighton Associates is an independent New Zealand legal publication that reports on employment law, litigation, and issues affecting free speech and public accountability.
https://www.leightonassociates.co.nz/post/the-worst-slapp-we-ve-ever-seen
"This is the worst SLAPP we've ever seen." "The claim isn't really about protecting copyright. It is about using copyright law as a weapon to silence criticism."
https://www.leightonassociates.co.nz/post/the-worst-slapp-we-ve-ever-seen-has-spawned-a-counterclaim
"The tactic was to use DMCA notices, which YouTube honored. And then they sued Bawtinheimer for copyright infringement." "Last month, we reported that a charity called Rapid Relief Team had filed a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) in California, which is so conspicuously petty..."
Carmen Smith Studer (USA)- Carmen has a well known YT channel that focused on giving those affected by CSA a voice. She is described publicly as a life coach, speaker, former film producer, interviewer, and advocate for personal growth and healing. She has been featured on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and other national media discussing transformation and mentoring.
Get A Life Podcast- Get A Life Podcast is an independent podcast dedicated to documenting the experiences of former members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC). Since 2022, it has featured interviews with survivors, experts, journalists, academics, and advocates, creating a growing archive of firsthand accounts and research into the group and its public activities.
https://youtu.be/CnKzx-kToCE?si=ThV8qAb_UVIxXBqh
https://youtu.be/gR-TDdCgybA?si=UqKx_iVoYg8DCeAr
https://youtu.be/O6SSgEWiNCk?si=WNrjOQuzCnlIKn-e
https://youtu.be/cA0QkJMDFiU?si=lNXfRlLYAnVsN7nt
https://youtu.be/ONq2VYD75mI?si=PElC-4Co0RmcTeAR
Ian Runkle (Canada)-
Edmonton lawyer Ian Runkle, known for his YouTube channel Runkle of the Bailey, reviewed the claims brought by Brown Rudnick LLP on behalf of Rapid Relief Team. In his commentary, he examined the case, questioned aspects of the claims, and offered his legal perspective on the issues involved. Runkle is a criminal defence lawyer with a focus on firearms law. Through his YouTube channel, he provides legal commentary and explains Canadian legal issues to a broad public audience.
DeCult (New Zealand)- Decult is a New Zealand charity and advocacy organization dedicated to raising awareness about cults and coercive control. It supports survivors, promotes public education, and brings together experts through conferences, media, and community initiatives.
https://decult.net/newsletter/brethren-charity-sues-survivor/
"Apart from the above mentioned abuse in cults, nothing gets my blood boiling like silencing activists and survivors with legal threats. This is currently playing out again with the Rapid Relief Team, the infamous litigious charity run by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC – also known as the Exclusive Brethren), a worldwide fundamentalist high-control group. "
Organizations That Have Already Acted
The issues surrounding the Rapid Relief Team have not gone unnoticed. As the controversy has grown, a number of organisations have already reconsidered their association with RRT or chosen to distance themselves.
Each of these organisations reached its own decision, but together they demonstrate that concerns about RRT's conduct and reputation are being taken seriously beyond this case alone.
SA Health-
"However, when asked about the partnership an SA Health spokesperson said, "it would not be partnering with the organisation".
It did partner with the group weeks later at an event at the hospital in Mount Barker."
Fire Brigade Union UK-
https://www.fbu.org.uk/policies/2022/fire-service-provision-fire-ground-catering
"One such organisation ‘Rapid Relief Team’ (RRT) were established by Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC)." "Conference believes it is wrong for our Members to be expected to accept charity from people who do not share the values of inclusion and respect for difference." "It is the responsibility of FRS employers to ensure that firefighters receive food and refreshments during prolonged deployment at incidents and that they are failing with regard to their obligation to ensure partners embrace the Services’ core principles."
These organizations reached their own conclusions about what was in the best interests of their reputation. Whether those decisions were temporary or permanent is beside the point. They recognized that when serious public controversy surrounds an organization, it is prudent to step back, assess the situation, and allow events to unfold before deciding whether to continue a public association.
This petition asks the Town of Maple Creek to do the same.
Why Was the Rapid Relief Team Created?
The Rapid Relief Team was established in 2013 at the same time the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church was fighting to retain its charitable status in the United Kingdom. During those proceedings, the Church was required to demonstrate that it provided a genuine public benefit.
Since then, former members, journalists, and other critics have questioned whether the Rapid Relief Team was established primarily as a genuine philanthropic organization or whether its principal purpose was to improve the public image of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church following the charity proceedings. This question has been explored in numerous media reports and is one of the reasons the organization continues to attract public scrutiny.
This petition encourages readers to examine that history, review the reporting, and decide for themselves.
My Request to the Town of Maple Creek-
I was born in Maple Creek. My family has lived here for generations. This town is part of my story, and it always will be.
Maple Creek has earned a reputation as a community that values honesty, decency and looking out for one another. Those values are worth protecting.
I respectfully ask the Town of Maple Creek to refrain from entering into any future partnership with, publicly endorsing, promoting, or otherwise providing official support to the Rapid Relief Team while the current litigation remains before the courts.
This request is not based on unresolved allegations of abuse, nor does it ask Council to determine the outcome of those allegations.
Rather, it asks the Town to consider its own reputation.
Public partnerships are more than administrative arrangements. They communicate to residents that an organization reflects the values and standards of the community. While this high-profile litigation remains before the courts and continues to attract international attention, the most prudent course is simply to wait.
Once the proceedings have concluded, Council can review the outcome and decide whether a relationship with the Rapid Relief Team is in the best interests of the Town.
Until then, I respectfully ask the Town of Maple Creek to refrain from publicly supporting the Rapid Relief Team.
Support the Legal Fight-
This petition is one part of a much larger effort to ensure survivors can speak publicly about their experiences without intimidation.
Defending this case has required significant legal resources, and the litigation is still ongoing. Our bill currently stands at $181,700 USD. The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church are known for their long drawn out court cases- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Brethren_Christian_Church#Interactions_with_critics_and_former_members
If you would like to help me continue this fight, please consider supporting my legal defence through my GoFundMe.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps.
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/abe578655
Thank you for standing with me, other former members and countless voiceless members still inside the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.
247
The Issue
Before you read the full petition:
What is this petition about?
· Who? Maple Creek Town Council and the Rapid Relief Team (RRT).
· What? Council is being asked not to establish an official partnership with, sponsor, endorse, or promote RRT.
· Why? This petition sets out evidence that RRT’s own conduct, public activities, and corporate behaviour raise serious questions about whether it is an appropriate organization for the Town to publicly support.
· Where? Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.
What are we asking Council to do?
We are not asking Council to prevent RRT from operating in Maple Creek, nor are we criticising the many volunteers who generously give their time.
We are asking Council to:
· Decline to enter into any official partnership with Rapid Relief Team.
· Refrain from sponsoring, endorsing, or promoting RRT through Town activities or communications.
· Carefully consider the evidence presented in this petition before making any future decisions involving RRT.
· Protect the Town’s reputation by applying appropriate due diligence to any organization seeking its public endorsement.
If you believe Maple Creek should exercise careful judgment before lending its name and reputation to any outside organization, we invite you to read the petition and, if you agree, sign in support.
My Story
I was born in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, into the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC). Although my family had lived in the community for generations, my childhood was spent inside a closed religious system that controlled almost every aspect of daily life.
As a child growing up in Maple Creek, I was sexually abused and trafficked by Alan Drever
For decades, I remained silent. Like so many survivors, I buried what had happened and tried to move on with my life. Eventually, I reached the point where I could no longer stay silent. I decided that if speaking out helped even one other survivor find their voice, it would be worth whatever consequences followed. I did a police report over 2 days and went on a podcast and shared part of my story. After that podcast, many people reached out to me from inside the PBCC and former members that had also been abused.
In 2022, I launched the Get A Life Podcast, giving former members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church a platform to tell their stories. Since then, hundreds of people from around the world have shared their experiences of child sexual abuse, coercive control, family separation and life inside the church.
In 2025, my husband had a conversation with Alan Drever where he said sorry to me and also said that he 'probably' harmed other people in Maple Creek. After receiving no help from the PBCC, I published this video. Instead of engaging with the issues being raised, the Rapid Relief Team began issuing copyright takedown notices against my YouTube videos. Those takedowns escalated into litigation in the United States, where RRT is now suing me over my public commentary.
Although RRT says the case is about copyright, it has become an international story because journalists, legal commentators and free speech advocates have questioned whether copyright law is being used to silence criticism. Alan Drever has been a RRT volunteer and was photographed here in May 2023.
Today, after surviving child sexual abuse and spending years helping other survivors tell their stories, I now find myself defending my own right to speak.
This case has attracted international attention from journalists, legal commentators and free speech advocates.
The court case that has been launched against me is so shocking it is being reported on all around the globe. Below are some of the articles and quotes covering the litigation from Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand.
The Age (Australia)- This issue has also been covered by The Age, one of Australia's most respected and influential newspapers, known for its investigative journalism.
"The Exclusive Brethren's Australian-based charity, the Rapid Relief Team, is suing a former member who escaped the church aged 17 after what she says was years of childhood sexual abuse." "Court documents show the Kookaburra logo, Cookie, was bought by the charity in September last year. The purchase occurred soon after Bawtinheimer's husband confronted her alleged abuser at his home in Canada."
"The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is a $22 billion cult using a bogus claim over a cartoon kookaburra to silence a child sex abuse victim, according to a legal document filed in a United States court."
The Roys Report (USA)- The Roys Report is an independent Christian investigative news outlet founded by journalist Julie Roys. It reports on abuse, corruption, misconduct, and failures of accountability within churches and Christian organizations, with a strong focus on exposing wrongdoing and amplifying survivors’ voices.
https://roysreport.com/australian-charity-sues-canadian-abuse-survivor-over-cookie-mascot/
"The outcome could set a precedent for how charities respond to criticism from survivors, and how far international organizations can reach into Canadians' lives."
Inforum- is a leading U.S. regional news outlet serving North Dakota and Minnesota, known for its in-depth reporting and investigative journalism.
"What followed was a YouTube battle between RRT, a charity worth millions run by Brethren volunteers, and Bawtinheimer-Hope, a podcaster who is relying on a GoFundMe..."
Technology and Marketing Law Blog- Professor Cathay Smith (USA)- The Technology & Marketing Law Blog is a respected U.S. legal publication covering internet, technology, intellectual-property and online speech law. Professor Cathay Y. N. Smith, a copyright-law scholar at Chicago-Kent College of Law, contributed an analysis of the RRT lawsuit, describing the use of copyright claims to suppress criticism as “copyright silencing.”
"So, what is going on here? Does RRT and PBCC, a $22 billion organization, really care that their logo is in the background of videos on a YouTube channel with fewer than 2,000 subscribers? Or is this about something else? (Spoiler alert! It's about something else.)"
"RRT's copyright lawsuit looks, swims, and quacks like copyright silencing."
Medicine Hat Owl News (Canada)- Medicine Hat Owl News is an independent online news outlet based in Medicine Hat, Alberta, known for its investigative reporting and coverage of local and regional issues.
"An Australian charity affiliated with the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is suing a Canadian sexual abuse survivor in U.S. federal court over her use of a cartoon kookaburra mascot in YouTube videos — a case that critics say bears all the hallmarks of a SLAPP lawsuit designed to intimidate rather than resolve a genuine dispute."
Channel 10 News Australia- Channel 10 is one of Australia’s major national television networks, providing news and current affairs coverage across the country.
Leighton Associates (New Zealand)- Leighton Associates is an independent New Zealand legal publication that reports on employment law, litigation, and issues affecting free speech and public accountability.
https://www.leightonassociates.co.nz/post/the-worst-slapp-we-ve-ever-seen
"This is the worst SLAPP we've ever seen." "The claim isn't really about protecting copyright. It is about using copyright law as a weapon to silence criticism."
https://www.leightonassociates.co.nz/post/the-worst-slapp-we-ve-ever-seen-has-spawned-a-counterclaim
"The tactic was to use DMCA notices, which YouTube honored. And then they sued Bawtinheimer for copyright infringement." "Last month, we reported that a charity called Rapid Relief Team had filed a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) in California, which is so conspicuously petty..."
Carmen Smith Studer (USA)- Carmen has a well known YT channel that focused on giving those affected by CSA a voice. She is described publicly as a life coach, speaker, former film producer, interviewer, and advocate for personal growth and healing. She has been featured on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and other national media discussing transformation and mentoring.
Get A Life Podcast- Get A Life Podcast is an independent podcast dedicated to documenting the experiences of former members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC). Since 2022, it has featured interviews with survivors, experts, journalists, academics, and advocates, creating a growing archive of firsthand accounts and research into the group and its public activities.
https://youtu.be/CnKzx-kToCE?si=ThV8qAb_UVIxXBqh
https://youtu.be/gR-TDdCgybA?si=UqKx_iVoYg8DCeAr
https://youtu.be/O6SSgEWiNCk?si=WNrjOQuzCnlIKn-e
https://youtu.be/cA0QkJMDFiU?si=lNXfRlLYAnVsN7nt
https://youtu.be/ONq2VYD75mI?si=PElC-4Co0RmcTeAR
Ian Runkle (Canada)-
Edmonton lawyer Ian Runkle, known for his YouTube channel Runkle of the Bailey, reviewed the claims brought by Brown Rudnick LLP on behalf of Rapid Relief Team. In his commentary, he examined the case, questioned aspects of the claims, and offered his legal perspective on the issues involved. Runkle is a criminal defence lawyer with a focus on firearms law. Through his YouTube channel, he provides legal commentary and explains Canadian legal issues to a broad public audience.
DeCult (New Zealand)- Decult is a New Zealand charity and advocacy organization dedicated to raising awareness about cults and coercive control. It supports survivors, promotes public education, and brings together experts through conferences, media, and community initiatives.
https://decult.net/newsletter/brethren-charity-sues-survivor/
"Apart from the above mentioned abuse in cults, nothing gets my blood boiling like silencing activists and survivors with legal threats. This is currently playing out again with the Rapid Relief Team, the infamous litigious charity run by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC – also known as the Exclusive Brethren), a worldwide fundamentalist high-control group. "
Organizations That Have Already Acted
The issues surrounding the Rapid Relief Team have not gone unnoticed. As the controversy has grown, a number of organisations have already reconsidered their association with RRT or chosen to distance themselves.
Each of these organisations reached its own decision, but together they demonstrate that concerns about RRT's conduct and reputation are being taken seriously beyond this case alone.
SA Health-
"However, when asked about the partnership an SA Health spokesperson said, "it would not be partnering with the organisation".
It did partner with the group weeks later at an event at the hospital in Mount Barker."
Fire Brigade Union UK-
https://www.fbu.org.uk/policies/2022/fire-service-provision-fire-ground-catering
"One such organisation ‘Rapid Relief Team’ (RRT) were established by Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC)." "Conference believes it is wrong for our Members to be expected to accept charity from people who do not share the values of inclusion and respect for difference." "It is the responsibility of FRS employers to ensure that firefighters receive food and refreshments during prolonged deployment at incidents and that they are failing with regard to their obligation to ensure partners embrace the Services’ core principles."
These organizations reached their own conclusions about what was in the best interests of their reputation. Whether those decisions were temporary or permanent is beside the point. They recognized that when serious public controversy surrounds an organization, it is prudent to step back, assess the situation, and allow events to unfold before deciding whether to continue a public association.
This petition asks the Town of Maple Creek to do the same.
Why Was the Rapid Relief Team Created?
The Rapid Relief Team was established in 2013 at the same time the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church was fighting to retain its charitable status in the United Kingdom. During those proceedings, the Church was required to demonstrate that it provided a genuine public benefit.
Since then, former members, journalists, and other critics have questioned whether the Rapid Relief Team was established primarily as a genuine philanthropic organization or whether its principal purpose was to improve the public image of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church following the charity proceedings. This question has been explored in numerous media reports and is one of the reasons the organization continues to attract public scrutiny.
This petition encourages readers to examine that history, review the reporting, and decide for themselves.
My Request to the Town of Maple Creek-
I was born in Maple Creek. My family has lived here for generations. This town is part of my story, and it always will be.
Maple Creek has earned a reputation as a community that values honesty, decency and looking out for one another. Those values are worth protecting.
I respectfully ask the Town of Maple Creek to refrain from entering into any future partnership with, publicly endorsing, promoting, or otherwise providing official support to the Rapid Relief Team while the current litigation remains before the courts.
This request is not based on unresolved allegations of abuse, nor does it ask Council to determine the outcome of those allegations.
Rather, it asks the Town to consider its own reputation.
Public partnerships are more than administrative arrangements. They communicate to residents that an organization reflects the values and standards of the community. While this high-profile litigation remains before the courts and continues to attract international attention, the most prudent course is simply to wait.
Once the proceedings have concluded, Council can review the outcome and decide whether a relationship with the Rapid Relief Team is in the best interests of the Town.
Until then, I respectfully ask the Town of Maple Creek to refrain from publicly supporting the Rapid Relief Team.
Support the Legal Fight-
This petition is one part of a much larger effort to ensure survivors can speak publicly about their experiences without intimidation.
Defending this case has required significant legal resources, and the litigation is still ongoing. Our bill currently stands at $181,700 USD. The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church are known for their long drawn out court cases- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Brethren_Christian_Church#Interactions_with_critics_and_former_members
If you would like to help me continue this fight, please consider supporting my legal defence through my GoFundMe.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps.
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/abe578655
Thank you for standing with me, other former members and countless voiceless members still inside the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.
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Petition created on July 7, 2026