Now I have written much about my Sociopathic ex employer and the reasons I had to come to Spain. What I haven't really delved further into is the 'disciples'. I read much and discussed even more about sociopathic behaviour, as soon as I was told, what was happening to me. I sought professional help, and was told where to look for legal advice. I still get on average, fifty emails a week from people, experiencing similar situations, to those that I went through. The details can be harrowing to read and for most, even more difficult to talk about; after all the nature of the crimes committed by those who seek to cause harm, can be terrifying. Another terrible aspect of sociopathy, is the involvement of other people, knowingly or not. The repercussions for those implicated in the direct violation of people like myself, can be equally as high, if not worse than that of the Sociopath!
It is difficult for someone who has not had experience of a Sociopath, to understand just what happens, during a sustained campaign of abuse. I have discussed in past entries the role of a sociopath, but never that of a disciple or apath, both terms are equally correct to use. My Manager had at least two disciples, that we and others knew about. One of them was a van driver for our region, who had contact with all the other Managers on a daily basis. This was great for my boss, because contact is important. The abuse handed out by him, in her name was quite awful. He felt untouchable; no matter what he did, who he hurt or the lies he told, he was never brought to account. Don't get me wrong, complaints were made, all the time, but because the buck stopped with my Sociopathic Boss, he could run roughshod across our region. We know she sanctioned what he was doing. We understand she was the one who pulled the strings. He was the one who carried out her wishes and warped desires.
Most shockingly for me, was I was working for a charity. They employed about 22 Managers in our region alone. On top of this, my Manager had access to over 700 vulnerable volunteers, many of which, were also victims of her psychotic games. I had witnessed at first hand, her disciples destructive behaviour and lies. This van driver was a dangerous criminal who endangered people's lives, victimised whoever he wanted to and didn't care about the ghastly damage being caused to people and of course our region.
I am unable to speak about specific people, because of the legalities behind what transpired. Someone very close to me, was also a victim at the time. There was hardly ever any paper trail, linking people with various dubious activities. They could not afford to get caught. When the person close to me, reported others for damaging behaviour towards vulnerable people, he also became the victim himself. As a Manager for a charity, you have a duty of care, to protect those in your employ. When you report irregularities, you do not expect to be ignored and dismissed, but that is exactly what happened. I also disclosed bullying towards unprotected volunteers. They were of course disregarded, because I was reporting my concerns to my boss, who I didn't know was a Sociopath at the time.
The person close to me, was beginning to break down, both physically and mentally. I had already been taken out of work, for what I was told, was for safety reasons. This left him at the mercy of those who wanted to destroy, bully and violate. He was threatened with being put into the boot of a car, taken to a forest and disposed of. Threats to burn down his home, kill his cats and disgraceful homophobic comments were made on a regular basis. Over a gradual period of time, when I was at my most ill, he also became severely unwell himself, and was removed from work. The most serious charge laid at the charity's door was something I didn't want to print, but have decided to, out of sheer disgust. A member of the Management team had a confidential conversation with our boss, about a rape that had happened to them. No one else was present at the time. It wasn't too long before this person, already a victim, was having to endure further abuse from the 'disciples'. Our Sociopathic boss had told them the details of what happened and they used that information to try and damage an already traumatised victim! Once again, complaints were made and all of them were dismissed.
It is difficult to imagine the pain you suffer through bullying and victimisation. You naturally assume, that you can get the protection of your superiors. Sadly when your commander in Chief is the instigator, the challenge to stop the campaign of hate becomes much more difficult. At the time, all of us who were innocent targets, followed official channels. Remember these procedures are only there to protect the employer, not the employee.
What made our situation, even worse, was not knowing who was involved. Myself and others were offered help, through other work colleagues. As we later discovered, they were also disciples, bullies, apaths or Sociopaths themselves. They were part of the problem and they had been for years. How these people were allowed to get away with their actions, is still not clear. They were certainly being protected by corrupt people at the top; after all Sociopathy is normally heirarchical and passed down from Manager to Manager. The only official response we were ever given, was it is being dealt with and the need to protect the reputation of an organisation and charity, gone seriously bad. Of course all of these issues, problems and criminal acts were being managed by an incompetent HR, who's only aim was to protect themselves and not those who needed it!
The story of the disciple or apath, is a difficult one. Many researchers into this phenomenon believe the apath is also a victim; yes many of them are. A Sociopath will groom a disciple, in the same way a paedophile grooms a child. They become the abuser on behalf of the Sociopath. Many of them do not actually realise the harm they are causing and are under the impression, the Sociopath is the victim and they are helping them to fight for justice. When the Sociopath is finally caught, so are the disciples. When they discover the extent of the damage they and their superior are responsible for, they generally break down with remorse, not fully knowing what they have been complicit in.
This episode in my life will always remain with me, because of the shameful acts carried out, the damage caused and the fact that this person still remains in her job. When she and those who followed her and those who were involved are brought to account, then and only then can I rest in peace. Myself and others were the victims; I have a prison sentence; she remains free. When the day comes, for us to speak and be heard, either through the courts or media, that will be the day, justice will finally be done!
