The Ruth Miller trial begins in Ohio this week, and I'm heading there for full bench trial coverage.

Before we get into courtroom testimony, this episode lays some groundwork — the work happening quietly inside Amish and Mennonite (Plain) communities, the barriers women face when trying to seek help, and the ongoing conversations with local and federal agencies who are often navigating cultural nuances from the outside.

I also read a letter sent to the Ohio Attorney General's Office by women from the community where Ruth was living. And while Ruth was not involved in writing the letter, nor does it tie into her trial in any way, it reflects broader concerns from women in the community as a whole — many describing feeling unseen and unheard.

While Ruth's case is the current focus, there are many voices and lived experiences that give context to what's unfolding in the communities around. Much of that context hasn't been publicly heard until now.

Follow ongoing reporting at: The Plain People's Project on Substack: https://substack.com/@theplainpeoplesproject www.theplainpeoplespodcast.com