![<p>JAKE PARRISH/Press As Starla Toews and Clayton Peaster listen, attorney Craig Vernon, right, explains at a press conference on Thursday how Peaster was sexually abused when he was a child by Peaster's father and how how no protection was given to Peaster after he informed leaders of his local Mennonite Church of his abuse. "It seems as if coming forward and reporting abuse [to the church] is more damaging than the abuse itself," Toews, a former member of the Mennonite Church and advocate for those who have been sexually abused in the Mennonite Church, says.</p>](https://hagadone.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/ARTICLE_302199994_AR_0_WNQFCFJVAYAG_t1170.jpg?5cc718665ab672dba93d511ab4c682bb370e5f86)
<p>JAKE PARRISH/Press As Starla Toews and Clayton Peaster listen, attorney Craig Vernon, right, explains at a press conference on Thursday how Peaster was sexually abused when he was a child by Peaster's father and how how no protection was given to Peaster after he informed leaders of his local Mennonite Church of his abuse. "It seems as if coming forward and reporting abuse [to the church] is more damaging than the abuse itself," Toews, a former member of t…
February 19, 2016
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Man sues church over alleged abuse
Former Bonners Ferry resident Clayton Peaster, along with his attorneys, held a press conference to discuss a civil sexual abuse lawsuit that was filed with Kootenai County District Court on Thursday Feb. 11. The lawsuit was filed against Mt. View Mennonite Church, Inc and its parent organization, Kansas-based Church of God in Christ (Mennonite) also known as the Holdeman Mennonites. Additionally named in the complaint are David and Cynthia Peaster, the adoptive parents.