Bju Fires Firm Reviewing School's Handling of Reported Sex Abuse
By Ron Barnett
Bob Jones University has terminated its contract with an independent ombudsman one month before the firm was expected to issue its findings in a 13-month review into the school’s handling of sexual abuse reports, according to statements released by the fundamentalist Christian school and the company. The university had contracted with Lynchburg, Va.-based GRACE, or Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment, in November 2012, saying, “In light of national media reports of the mishandling of sexual abuse, including on college campuses, (BJU President Stephen) Jones wanted to make absolutely certain BJU’s policies and procedures both fully comply with the law and ensure a loving, scripturally based response.” GRACE was to “review past instances in which it was alleged that the university may have underserved a student who reported they had been abused at some point in their lives.” GRACE posted an announcement on its Facebook page Thursday that BJU had terminated its agreement. BJU responded with a news release that said, “Over the last several months, we grew concerned about how GRACE was pursuing our objectives” and decided to terminate the contract on Jan. 27. “It is BJU’s intention to resolve its differences with GRACE, and we are disappointed a resolution could not be reached before our differences were made public,” BJU said in its statement. “Both BJU and GRACE desire to raise sexual abuse awareness and minister to victims whose lives have been ravaged by abuse. GRACE has been helpful in assisting us in focusing our efforts in this area. “BJU sincerely appreciates all current and former students who participated in this initiative thus far, and the university regrets any delay BJU’s cancellation of its agreement with GRACE may have on this important project.” GRACE, which specializes in working with churches and other Christian organizations on minimizing opportunities for abuse and assisting in responding to abuse disclosures, said in its Facebook post that the termination “took GRACE by complete surprise as there had been no prior indications from BJU that termination was even being considered. “Furthermore, this termination occurred days before GRACE was to conduct the last interviews of this 13-month investigation and begin drafting the final report scheduled for publication in March.” GRACE’s statement said BJU hasn’t told the organization why the agreement was terminated. “At this point, we are most concerned about the potential impact of this termination on those who participated in the investigation and are waiting for the final report,” the GRACE statement says. “We grieve with those whose hopes will be crushed should this independent process remain incomplete.” BJU’s release says the university has implemented several initiatives to raise awareness of sexual abuse, independently of the GRACE initiative, including sex abuse awareness training for all its more than 3,000 students and more than 1,000 faculty and staff members. It said the school also is creating guidelines “to assist present and future students who work with minors in the community and on campus” and is planning to provide a comprehensive child safety workshop for local church leaders. “We grieve with those who have suffered abuse in their past, and we desire to minister the grace of Christ to them,” the BJU statement says. “Our prayer for the abused is that God will be their refuge and strength.”
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