U.S CANADA-GSO MATERIAL

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DISCUSSION -

What happened-

Where the conversation started -

Where we are now

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WHAT HAPPENED…

• Midtown Group
• Murder of female member

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MIDTOWN GROUP - WASHINGTON, D.C.

Midtown Group was known as a place for young recovering alcoholics

• Senior members were older
• Sponsorship included pressure to cut ties to anyone outside of the group
• Pressure to stop taking medications
• Very distinct group hierarchy

Group appeared to have an emphasis on dating within the group and sex between members:

• Encouraged to have sex with older members
• Pressure to get an “A.A. boyfriend” within the group

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PUBLIC EXPOSURE

Several members tried to expose the exploitation, both financial and sexual

• District
• Area
• GSO

All met with , “we aren’t responsible for what goes on at another group.”

• Out of frustration, several members went to the media and law enforcement
• Became front page news
• Law enforcement could not substantiate anything that they could prosecute
• Members upset that these women broke their anonymity at the public level

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OUTCOME?

• The light of day was shed on the problems existing in that group
• One more time, members began to ask what can they do when they see destructive and harmful behavior in a group and among members

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KARLA’S MURDER

Karla B., gets sober (December 2010) and attends meetings in southern California

• She met Eric Earle in those meetings
• In a matter of weeks, he moved from his sober living in the trailer park to her 2-bedroom condo
• Less than 5 months later, he asked her to marry him
• After living together for only a few months, August 2011, call made to policy by friend of Karla’s that he had beaten her badly
• 3 ½ weeks later, Karla was dead, killed by Eric.

Eric Earle’s criminal background come to light:

• Long criminal record that included assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, and elder abuse

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OUTCOME?

• The light of day was shed on the problems existing in our fellowship
• This lawsuit and its potential implications to Alcoholics Anonymous became a concern

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WHERE THE CONVERSATION STARTED…

• ICYPAA 2007
• General Service Board
• Areas became aware and involved

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ICYPAA 2007 – LOS ANGELES

• Panel titled, “Controversial Issues,” where I was invited to speak
• Shared about sexual harassment and sexual assault in our rooms
• Talked about “Our Common Welfare,” in relation to inappropriate and criminal behavior occurring in our fellowship

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GENERAL SERVICE BOARD -

• Topic of Safety and Sexual Harassment brought to GSB
• Subcommittee formed at request of board chair, to talk about the issue
• General consensus brought back that “we have no opinion…”

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AREA INVOLVEMENT-

• The topic of Safety became a movement
• Areas submitted agenda requests to the General Service Conference, asking for literature, anything-that would speak to this topic
• Agenda item requests held pending lawsuit dismissal
• In the meantime, A.A.W.S. took the bold and brave move to create Safety Guidelines and Safety Card that did not require GSC approval

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WHERE WE ARE NOW…

SMF-209 Safety and A.A.: Safety Card for A.A. Groups

Our common Welfare

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THANK YOU

Madeleine P.

Past Pacific Region Trustee

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