KY- Church officials condemn whistleblower; SNAP responds

For immediate release: August 7, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 [email protected]

Religious figures attack a man who reported “serial physical and sexual abuse of children covered up" by church officials” claiming that his account is slander and “unbiblical”.

Brent Detwiler filed a lawsuit in January against the Sovereign Grace Ministries, a national network of churches, saying that the defendants, despite knowing the facts on multiple child abuse cases, “cared more about protecting its financial and institutional standing than about protecting children, its most vulnerable members” and therefore “failed to stop repeated and ongoing sexual predation occurring at SGM churches and organization”.

We applaud Detwiler for doing the right thing and not backing down. These serious accusations should be met with genuine concern, not adamant denial. Church officials should be welcoming those who report suspected abuse, not intimidating them.

SNAP encourages anyone with more information to report it to law enforcement so that the Sovereign Grace Ministries’ wrongdoings are brought to justice and the church officials will no longer endanger the safety of children.

Read more here - 1

Read more here - 2


Showing 4 comments

  • Tikatu
    commented 2013-08-08 11:19:38 -0500
    I applaud your statement and your support for Mr. Detwiler, but I believe Janna is correct. Mr. Detwiler is not involved in the current lawsuit against SGM other than as a supporter. Your second link makes it very clear that he was merely posting the complaint, not legally involved in it. Please correct your statement to make it true to the situation.
  • Janna Chan
    commented 2013-08-08 10:38:44 -0500
    This statement is grossly inaccurate, SNAP. Brent Detwiler has not filed a lawsuit against SGM at any time, to my knowledge.. You’re mis-attributing quotes from the Plaintiffs lawyers who filed a suit in Oct. 2013, not Jan. 2013. Please fix this statement ASAP. Thanks.
  • Julia Douglas
    commented 2013-08-07 17:56:53 -0500
    Well done! Whistleblowers should indeed be applauded!
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