Christian University Told Rape Victims to Keep Quiet Because Accusations 'Hurt Jesus Christ'

A conservative Christian university abruptly dismissed the consulting firm it had hired to look into its handling of sexual assault investigations.

Until recently, students at Bob Jones University who sought counseling for sex abuse were told not to report their claims because turning in a fellow fundamentalist would damage Jesus Christ, reported the New York Times.

Most of the students reported sex abuse that happened when they were children but sought help later, as college students, and administrators branded the victims as liars and sinners, the paper reported.

“The person who supposedly counseled me told me if I reported (another fundamentalist Christian) to the police, I was damaging the cause of Christ, and I would be responsible for the abuser going to hell,” said Catherine Harris, who attended the university in the 1980s. “He said all of my problems were as a result of my actions in the abuse, which mostly took place before I was 12, and I should just forgive the abuser.”

Another former student said when she accused a graduate student of sexual assault in the 1990s, investigators asked what she had been wearing tightly fitted clothing and urged her to keep quiet to protect her reputation.

Lydia still doesn’t know why she was expelled from Bob Jones University in March 2009. But she believes it has something to do with the fact that she was raped.

Lydia, who asked to be identified by only her first name, loved BJU, a Christian university in Greenville, S.C., when she started there in the fall of 2008. Pursuing a nursing major, she enjoyed the classes, played intramural sports and had a great group of friends. Then, when she went home over Christmas break, she says she was raped by an acquaintance.

Ben_Reilly wrote:Apparently this has been going on for years:

Lydia still doesn’t know why she was expelled from Bob Jones University in March 2009. But she believes it has something to do with the fact that she was raped.

Lydia, who asked to be identified by only her first name, loved BJU, a Christian university in Greenville, S.C., when she started there in the fall of 2008. Pursuing a nursing major, she enjoyed the classes, played intramural sports and had a great group of friends. Then, when she went home over Christmas break, she says she was raped by an acquaintance.

http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/america-tonight-blog/2013/11/5/addressing-sexualassaultonafundamentalistchristiancampus.html

Eilzel wrote:The biggest problem with religious institutions is how they try to cover sexual 'unpleasantness' whatever it may be. No concern for people who are victims- only the intent to appear 'clean'. Fucking disgusting...

heavenly father wrote:

Eilzel wrote:The biggest problem with religious institutions is how they try to cover sexual 'unpleasantness' whatever it may be. No concern for people who are victims- only the intent to appear 'clean'. Fucking disgusting...

I agree entirely, the mormons, the Jw's and catholics all did the same, it is bad enough that it happened and not making excuses but abuse can happen anyway but to cover it up, is just disgusting.

Ben_Reilly wrote:

heavenly father wrote:

I agree entirely, the mormons, the Jw's and catholics all did the same, it is bad enough that it happened and not making excuses but abuse can happen anyway but to cover it up, is just disgusting.

It's what happens when people get too far up their own asses about how "holy" they are.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unreasonablefaith/2009/03/pastor-gets-caught-lying-for-jesus/

Ben_Reilly wrote:

heavenly father wrote:

I agree entirely, the mormons, the Jw's and catholics all did the same, it is bad enough that it happened and not making excuses but abuse can happen anyway but to cover it up, is just disgusting.

It's what happens when people get too far up their own asses about how "holy" they are.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unreasonablefaith/2009/03/pastor-gets-caught-lying-for-jesus/

Ben_Reilly wrote:

heavenly father wrote:

I agree entirely, the mormons, the Jw's and catholics all did the same, it is bad enough that it happened and not making excuses but abuse can happen anyway but to cover it up, is just disgusting.

It's what happens when people get too far up their own asses about how "holy" they are.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unreasonablefaith/2009/03/pastor-gets-caught-lying-for-jesus/

Guest wrote:
the UK went through the same thing with muslim paedophile rings.

Beekeeper wrote:

Guest wrote:
the UK went through the same thing with muslim paedophile rings.

   

BigAndy's produced a Poltergeist through all his yapping on foreigners and muslims !

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Beekeeper wrote:
   

BigAndy's produced a Poltergeist through all his yapping on foreigners and muslims !

That would be a member who made this site better by leaving :D

It's like the old saying, everyone can make people happy -- either by entering the room or by leaving it.