Former Hephzibah Girls

 **As a courtesy, we would like to point out, this site is in no way affiliated with Hephzibah House in New York.  All Hephzibah House references on this site refer to Hephzibah House in Winona Lake/Warsaw, Indiana.**                         

Did you know...

Hephzibah House, a rehabilitative boarding school for "troubled" girls is operating in Warsaw, Indiana? Ron Williams, founder/director of Hephzibah House has been holding girls against their wills for over 30 years. We are a group of former students, SURVIVORS, of this abusive program. We are dedicated to awareness and accountability. Hundreds of girls have been held and abused at the hands of Ron Williams, and he has yet to be held responsible for his actions!

Here's what you don't know...

Ron Williams preys on desperate parents dealing with "rebellious" girls (i.e. wearing pants, makeup, & listening to rock music). Parents are charged monthly room/board and tuition fees.

Young girls ages 10-18 are "spanked" by Hephzibah Staff. These so called spankings were actually very brutal and humiliating beatings, in which girls are forced to lay down face first on the ground. There are as many as 5 staff involved in these beatings with adults sitting on the arms and legs of the girl. At times a chair is placed over the victim's head to keep her from getting up. The weapon is a large piece of wood, known as the "rod of God"! 

Incoming students are forced to undergo strip searches and invasive vaginal exams performed in a closet in the basement by an alleged doctor; this is not in a licensed medical facility. 

 Meals are withheld as a form of punishment for students whose behavior is seen as defiant. This includes not passing chores, not completing schoolwork, not memorizing the Scriptures assignments, and for those considered to have general attitude problems.

There are no licensed therapists or accredited teachers on staff, and medical care was very inadequate. The majority of girls held at Hephzibah stopped menstruating for their entire stay (ranging from 15 months to 4 years)! Girls were also forced to wear diapers, not as a medical practice, but as another form of punishment and humiliation.

According to Governor Mitch Daniels, there is a flaw in the system; a loophole.  Hephzibah is a school, so it is not regulated by Child Protective Services, but it is a religious non accredited school, so it is not recognized or governed by the Department of Education.