Church videographer accused of molesting young girls

By Carla Field
WYFF
January 05, 2015

http://www.wyff4.com/news/church-videographer-accused-of-molesting-young-girls/30538532

GREENVILLE, S.C. —A church videographer repeatedly molested two young girls in the audio-visual room at their church and admitted it to church leaders, according to Greenville police.

The molestation, alleged to have happened at Greenville Presbyterian Church on Pendleton Street, was reported to police on Jan. 1.

The girls, ages 4 and 6, said they were repeatedly molested by church videographer, 23-year-old Gilbert Broyles, in November and December.

Arrest warrants say Broyles admitted to church leaders that he either touched the girls underneath their clothing or got them remove items of clothing and touched them in "their private areas."

Police said they interviewed Broyles, and after he admitted his involvement with the girls, he was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

A judge has denied Broyles bail.

Police are encouraging parents of children who attend the church to talk to them.

Those who live in the neighborhood said the incident is not a reflection of the church.

"Nobody should harbor any bad feelings towards them.  They are good people," said Paul Helsel.

Meanwhile, other Upstate churches are taking a proactive approach to sexual abuse.

"It can just tear a congregation apart, so I think having step in place to where your congregation members know what you're doing to protect children and youth and it's also a protection for the volunteers as well," Donna Foster with Fourth Presbyterian Church in Greenville.

Fourth Presbyterian Church has been implementing the program Safe Sanctuary for eight years.

All employees and volunteers get background checks.

"Everybody from the little old lady who has been teaching for 40 years was going to have a background check just as much as the person who just came on," said Foster,

In addition, all classrooms have glass panel doors.  The church also tries to make sure there are always at least two adults with a child at all times.

"We wanted to be proactive rather than reactive," said Foster.