Former IBLP member Emily Elizabeth Anderson When she sued Gotthard, along with nine other women, in 2016 for sexual abuse and harassment, she preferred to be identified, hence the name Jane Doe III in the series. I am clarifying.
She recalls that when she was 14, Gothard invited her to quit homeschooling and live “indefinitely” at IBLP’s Chicago headquarters. Her father no longer loved her and she had “lost all her authority over her”, she claimed that Gotthard “would become her new authority”.
Elisabeth recounts a night when Gothard brought her into the office and was clearly surprised to see that the male assistant, whom she thought would be alone with her, was still at work.
Gotthard resigned from the IBLP board in March 2014 amid an investigation by outside counsel into allegations of sexual misconduct, and was ultimately accused of “improper”, if not criminal, conduct. Judged. When IBLP shared its findings in June 2014, Gothard said in a later-deleted statement, “My behavior of holding hands, hugging, touching feet and hair with young women is not acceptable. It was beyond my discretion and I was wrong.”
The 88-year-old did not respond to E!’s request for comment and declined to comment on the series. He has previously denied allegations of sexual misconduct.
The plaintiffs dismissed their lawsuit in 2018, but filed their complaint against Recovery Grace, an online support community for alumni of IBLP and its homeschool curriculum, the Advanced Training Institute. “We have no intention of retracting,” he said, or dismissing the incalculable damage we believe Gothard has caused. It was done by his actions and certain teachings. “
In addition to the statute of limitations and financial burden, Elisabeth explained on the show why she stopped pursuing Gothard in court: “The most terrifying memories of my life will always be revived and told over and over again. If you decide to move forward,” he said. In the case of an incident, it is also important to recognize that the mental burden will continue in the future. Frankly, the price was too high. “
ginger daggerDetailing her departure from IBLP in her 2023 memoir, she was the only member of her family who appeared to have commented in response to Gotthard’s legal troubles.she tweeted in 2018 Although she was a Christian, she said, “By tweeting this, I have to be honest and true to myself. I do not endorse Bill Gotthard and the Bible Institute.” [sic] Principles of life in all ways, shapes and forms. I think his “teachings” are very questionable. “
