UNITED STATES
Farmer, Jaffe, Weissing, Edwards, Fisto and Lehrman
Posted on Mon, Jun 23, 2014
by Adam Horowitz
The Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) is an international conservative Christian organization based in Oak Brook, Illinois with millions of followers. IBLP was established by Bill Gothard. A recent controversy involving its founder Bill Gothard demonstrates why no organization should rely solely on an internal investigation when dealing with matters such as a child sexual abuse and sexual harassment.
According to its mission statement, IBLP “is dedicated to giving individuals, families, churches, schools, communities, governments, and businesses clear instruction and training on how to find success by following God’s principles found in Scripture.” IBLP’s conferences and seminars have been attended by millions of people around the world. Youth conflict resolution is an integral part of IBLP’s ministry, including community outreach, troubled youth mentoring, and ministry training.
Recently IBLP and its 79-year old founder Bill Gothard has been at the center of a sexual harassment controversy. In February 2014, IBLP’s board announced that Bill Gothard has been placed on administrative leave by the board members of his nonprofit organization amid an investigation into allegations that he sexually harassed several women and young girls.
A Christian-run online organization named Recovering Grace has been collecting and publishing victim accounts of sexual abuse by Gothard. According to Recovering Grace, at least 34 different women (including minors) allege they were victims of sexual abuse, “sexual harassment” and emotional abuse by Bill Gothard. The abuse allegedly endured for decades. Religion News Service also reported Gothard was also accused of failing to report allegations of child abuse.
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