SPEAKER PANEL REPRESENTING ISSUES OF ABUSE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING WITHIN THE CHURCH OF

Marc Headley, the author of “Blown for Good,” grew up in Hollywood, and joined Scientology’s when he was just 16 years old. For 15 years Marc lived at Scientology’s International Base, where he worked 100-hour work weeks, for less than 50 cents an hour, and experienced mental and physical abuse. At 32, Marc made a dramatic escape from the heavily guarded Scientology compound in .NET Hemet, California, and started a new life with his wife, who also escaped.

Media Relations Jefferson Hawkins spent 35 years working for the , all over [email protected] the world, and at all echelons, including the top level at the Scientology International Base in Hemet, California. For much of his time in Scientology, Jeff was a key executive in Scientology’s marketing department. He conceived and ran Marc Headley the well-known campaign in the 1980s that resulted in Dianetics [email protected] appearing on all major bestseller lists. Jeff left Scientology five years ago after experiencing firsthand the abuses and human rights violations at Scientology’s Jefferson Hawkins International Headquarters, including being physically beaten by Scientology’s [email protected] leader, . Since 2006, Jeff has been active in exposing the Church of Scientology’s lies and abuses, and in providing help to individuals and families Will Fry who have been harmed by Scientology. [email protected]

Will Fry was raised by scientologists, and attended Scientology boarding school Nancy Many [email protected] while his parents worked for the church. As a teenager, Will joined the Sea Org, but immediately realized he wanted out; it took him almost three years. Afterwards the church billed him $12,000 for a so-called “freeloader debt.” Laura DeCrescenzo [email protected] Nancy Many, author of “My Billion Year Contract,” was a college student in Boston when she first joined Scientology. She signed the infamous contract when she Maureen Bolstad maureenbolstad@hotmail. joined the Sea Org, and was sent to Clearwater, Fl, to work under L. Ron Hubbard. com When she was five months pregnant, Nancy was sent to the RPF (Rehabilitation

Project Force--Scientology’s re-indoctrination and labor camp) where she was locked in the garage of the until she was deemed [email protected] “rehabilitated”. After being subjected to relentless interrogations and confessions,

Nancy suffered a mental breakdown that led to her leaving the church.

Laura DeCrescenzo was recruited into the Sea Org at the age of 12. Married at 16, she became pregnant and was forced to have an abortion, because children aren’t allowed in the Sea Org. Laura eventually became so desperate to escape she swallowed bleach to get herself thrown out. She is now suing the church, alleging restricted freedom, forced abortions, severe punishment, and human trafficking.

Maureen Bolstad, at age 15, “got tricked into making a dumb mistake” and signed a contract to join Scientology staff. Maureen was promised an education and regular pay, but instead worked 18 hours a day, seven days a week, and developed health and emotional problems. In 17 years, she only got to see her mother twice, for less than a week each time. She was allowed to leave after three

years of being made to “confess her sins and evil intentions.” Maureen hasn’t heard from her sister, who stayed on staff, since 2006.

AWARENESS ADVOCATES FACT SHEET 1

Mark Bunker is an Emmy-winning journalist who has been covering Scientology since 1997. His website XENU TV (www.xenutv.com) features video and audio interviews with former members, documentaries, speeches, panels, protest videos, court room footage and a vast archive of broadcast media from around the world covering the controversial Scientology organization.

In 2000, Mark moved to Scientology stronghold Clearwater, Florida to join with and Stacy Brooks at the Lisa McPherson Trust, producing videos for the group under the LMT Media banner. They set up shop right next door to Scientology’s Office of Special Affairs (OSA) which has been described as Scientology’s “dirty tricks” department.

While working for the LMT, Mark traveled to Chicago to videotape an interview with two dentists who were trying to obtain a large refund from Scientology. To disrupt the interview, Scientology hired off-duty police officers who arrested Mark for trespassing while on a public sidewalk. More than a year later, Mark stood trial and was acquitted of all charges. Since the LMT closed in late 2001, Mark has been working in TV news. In 2006, he won an Emmy Award for a story on border issues in the San Diego area.

In 2008, the movement turned its gaze toward Scientology. Mark responded to their first video aimed at Scientology and suggested using legal means to take on the group. Many in Anonymous listened to Mark’s advice and dubbed him Wise Beard Man. Their continues to educate people about Scientology fraud and abuse two years later.

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AWARENESS ADVOCATES FACT SHEET 2