Bob Jones University Sex Abuse Report Released

By Lyn Riddle
WTBX
December 11, 2014

http://www.wltx.com/story/news/local/midlands/2014/12/11/bju-investigation-announcement-to-be-made-thursday/20235209/

A two-year investigation into the way Bob Jones University officials handled reports of sexual abuse from students has recommended personnel action against Bob Jones III, the grandson of the founder of the university and former president.

The report, issued by GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment.) this morning, says Jones was ultimately responsible for many of problems GRACE found.

"Dr. Jones, III has also repeatedly demonstrated a significant lack of understanding regarding the many painful dynamics associated with sexual abuse," the report states. "Due to the central role Dr. Jones, III played in the many issues outlined within this report, it is recommended that the university impose personnel action upon Dr. Jones, III.

Randy Page, a spokesman for BJU, could not be reached immediately for comment on whether any action had been taken against Jones.

The report also says James Berg, a professor who handled much of the counseling of abuse victims, was largely responsible for failing the respond adequately to reports of sexual abuse and recommends that he no longer be allowed to teach on any issue related to sexual abuse and that he no longer be allowed to counsel students.

The BJU website lists Berg as teaching crisis counseling and says he has been teaching Christian counselors for 30 years.

The report also recommends that Berg's books and other materials no longer be sold by BJU, both online or in its bookstore.

Sermons that are hurtful should be removed as well.

GRACE recommended a long list of changes including recovery assistance by an outside professional, degree completion and tuition assistance for victims, review files of all victims to see if law enforcement needs to be called in and bring in an independent consultant to review policies and procedures.

The report also suggests installing a memorial on campus to victims and for university personnel to sit down with victims, hear their stories and acknowledge responsibility.

University President Steve Pettit on Wednesday apologized to victims who felt they had been harmed by the action of university employees, but his apology was quickly criticized by some alumni who said they schools needed to do more.

Jeffrey Hoffman, who spoke to GRACE investigators about abuse he suffered off campus as a child by someone who worked at BJU at the time, said it is one thing for Pettit to say officials are sorry people did not feel safe and another to acknowledge that victims weren't safe.

"It was a very carefully worded, lawyerly statement," Hoffman said. "It doesn't really own it. I would like to see them acknowledge culpability. To say we covered things up. We didn't protect children."

"Sexual abuse is horrible," Pettit said. "It is criminal."

He also acknowledged that the school failed to uphold its core values.

"We have carefully listened to your voice," he said. "We take your testimony in this report to our hearts."

Pettit said he will appoint a committee to review the report with the expectation to hear a response within 90 days.

Former Bob Jones University President Stephen Jones asked GRACE to begin its work in late 2012. At the time, he said it was in response to allegations made on other university campuses.

At about the same time, however, alumni had become vocal about the way they were treated when they told officials they had been abused. They said they were told not to report allegations to law enforcement because it would harm family members or others. That they were to pray for the individuals and to forgive.

They also reported being asked by counselors what they had done to bring on the abuse.

GRACE began the investigation in January 2013.