Survivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect

FBI investigating child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect known as the " Two by Twos" Growing number of public allegations from around the world have prompted a broad investigation by the FBI .

Survivors say the group's leaders protected child-abusing ministers by pressuring victims to forgive, ignoring legal reporting requirements.

The group, founded in Ireland in 1897 , was little noticed by the outside world.

One worker from Peru , Americo Quispe , was sent to Garland , Texas , after facing allegations of inappropriate behavior in his home country.

Another worker, Ruben Mata , abused dozens of boys, among them 10-year-old Douglas Patterson , who was lured away from his family during a sect convention in the early 1990s .

In another case, a regional overseer for Arizona wrote a letter to a child-molesting elder in 2005 observing that “we love our people very much and don’t want to report their misdeeds’.

Autrey , Liles and another survivor launched a hotline, website and Facebook pages for survivors.

The FBI 's field office in Omaha , Nebraska , announced an investigation in February .

Some sect leaders condemned the abuse and asked consultants for advice on how to better protect members.

Some leaders still warn members against criticizing the sect.