BishopAccountability.org
	Rally Held for Abuse Victims By Liz Mitchell Culpeper Star Exponent April 5, 2006 http://www.starexponent.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename= CSE/MGArticle/CSE_MGArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137835159708 Eight and a half years ago, Josh Shifflett left Calvary Baptist Church, which he said made him look like an enemy and estranged him from his brother and pastor, Charles Shifflett. Until now, Josh Shifflett has been hesitant to speak on his brother's case - who faces charges of child abuse and endangerment for incidents that occurred nearly 20 years ago at the church and its private K-12 school. But when a local resident organized a Tuesday morning rally to support those who have accused Charles Shifflett of physical and sexual abuse, Josh Shifflett felt compelled to address the nationwide problem of abused and neglected children. "It's about child abuse. It's not about Charles Shifflett," Josh Shifflett said. "There is enough pressure on them from the outside world without having to worry about those they trust. Although they are the victims they feel like they should have done something. I hate to see children victimized. Children should be children." Background Josh Shifflett said he left Calvary Baptist with concerns on how children were treated and disciplined. While he was unaware of the alleged abuse, he said he felt the students' education was neglected and they were not given an opportunity to play or enjoy childhood. He attended the rally to speak on the importance of promoting child abuse awareness but also to support the people who have come forward identifying themselves as victims. "They are my friends," he said. "I watched them grow up." Josh Shifflett, 56, is now pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Madison and has not spoken to his younger brother, now pastor at First Baptist Church of Culpeper, since his departure from Calvary Baptist. Jimmy Rudd, who organized the support rally, asked Josh Shifflett to attend. The two men were the only formal speakers at the event that attracted a crowd of about 25 people, including four people claiming to be victims of Charles Shifflett's abuse. Speaking out "The worst crimes today in America are child abuse," Rudd said. "Child abuse is like terrorism in some ways. A lot of times it hurts the most innocent ones. Some of our kids are kids. Some of our kids are teenagers and some of our kids are adults. But the ones who have been abused, they are still our kids and they are going to raise our grandkids." According to statistics from Prevent Child Abuse America, a nationwide advocacy group, an average of four children die every day as a result of child abuse or neglect nationwide. And in Virginia, 7,011 children were victims of abuse or neglect last year, according to Stop Child Abuse Now, a nonprofit organization based in northern Virginia. In terms of sexual abuse, the nonprofit National Center for Missing and Exploited Children states that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys are sexually exploited before they reach adulthood, yet less than 35 percent of those child sexual assaults are reported to authorities. "For every child that you see on TV that was victimized, there are thousands you've never heard of. All through their lifetime, something is there that haunts them," Josh Shifflett said. "I believe child abuse alters the way that child lives … I believe children ought to be disciplined, but I believe no child should be beaten. It changes their ability to raise children. I believe what a child lives with is what he will grow up to be." Growing up, Josh Shifflett said his parents disciplined them, but he never felt that they didn't love him. "One of my greatest heroes in my life is my dad," he said. "I carry his name, so I dare not tarnish it." Recognizing that child abuse can come from any person and exists everywhere, Josh Shifflett encouraged all parents to listen to and believe their children and to know at all times who their children are spending time with and what they are doing. "Abuse is there," Josh Shifflett said. "I want you to know something, it is not going to go away. We need to talk to our children." He closed his speech with a prayer asking God to bless the children who desperately need loving adults in their lives. Impact Liz Bailey, who was the second person to obtain a warrant against Shifflett on charges of indecent liberties with a child, said the support rally was a nice gesture by community members. However, she feels that many people still don't understand why she and others came forward with their stories. "Some don't want to believe that a preacher could do these things," she said. While Bailey said she has no regrets in coming forward, her brother, Woody Leake, wished he had the courage to speak out sooner. "I regret I didn't come forward when I was younger," he said. Chad Robison, who was the first person to obtain a warrant against Shifflett outside of the investigation by the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office, said the support rally might encourage other potential victims to come forward knowing the community is behind them. However, Robison, Bailey and Leake said a sense of fear exists in some people. "I think the kids are more scared what would happen to them or their parents if they came forward," Bailey said. While the rally did not address Shifflett's case specifically, it did focus on child abuse prevention and awareness. And Rudd plans on organizing a larger rally this summer to raise money to benefit the prevention of child abuse. "It was all about making a statement today," Rudd said. "I can't go back and change the past, but I sure can try to change the future. Today was kicking off what I have a dream with and it's to help the kids." Liz Mitchell can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or emitchell@starexponent.com.
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