Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Filed against Patriarchal Christian Group

By Julie Ingersoll
Religion Dispatches
April 21, 2014

http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/julieingersoll/7801/sexual_abuse_lawsuit_filed_against_patriarchal_christian_group_/

As I reported last Fall, Doug Phillips resigned from Vision Forum Ministries in what seemed like a sudden confession of a lengthy inappropriate relationship with a woman but with whom he denied having sex. As details trickled out it became clear the woman was the family’s nanny, a member of the church where Phillips was a leading elder (but had resigned months earlier when the church learned of his misconduct), and an employee of Vision Forum.

The details from a lawsuit filed last week against Phillips by Lourdes Torres-Manteufel only underscore the reality that this and the recent sex scandal at Bill Gothard’s Institute in Biblical Life Principles (IBLP) are more than isolated events—they shine a light on a darker side to Protestant fundamentalism that facilitates abuse.

While distinctly different, these two “ministries” share elements that facilitated the abuse, and a growing number of “alumni” are raising concerns.

Gothard has staffed the headquarters of his $95 million nonprofit with young home school volunteers, some of whom (now adults) recently started sharing stories of his behavior toward them when they were teens, away from home serving the ministry on the website Recovering Grace. A groundswell developed and Gothard was forced to resign; he’s now under investigation and on April 18th he released a statement admitting to many of the accusations but insisting they were not sexual.

My actions of holding of hands, hugs, and touching of feet or hair with young ladies crossed the boundaries of discretion and were wrong. They demonstrated a double-standard and violated a trust. Because of the claims about me I do want to state that I have never kissed a girl nor have I touched a girl immorally or with sexual intent.

The complaint filed against Phillips details alleged sexual misconduct over a period of years while he was in a position of authority as pastor, counselor and employer. Torres alleges that she repeatedly asked him to stop but was powerless to make him do so

Phillips has addressed the charges in the form of a letter from an attorney in which he claims Torres has exaggerated the improprieties and that her accusations are financially motivated. He and his wife Beall also spoke briefly to local media in San Antonio where they insisted the crisis has deepened their relationship and their faith.