Conservative leader and staunch homeschooling advocate Bill Gothard has been placed on administrative leave following numerous reports of sexual misconduct and harassment, as well as accusations that he did not report child abuse cases within his organization. That organization, Institute in Basic Life Principles, has been a major evangelical force, responsible for numerous nationwide conferences and teachings on conservative family values. The sexual assault allegations first came from Recovering Grace, an organization formed to spotlight what they see as a widespread pattern of abuse in Gothard’s organization. They found a woman named Gretchen Swearingen, who detailed several instances of sexual misconduct and molestation. Following her testimony, several other women came forward.
It’s the latest in a string of cases of sexual misconduct, assault and mishandling of such reports that have rocked the conservative evangelical world, with serious allegations pointed at Bob Jones University and Patrick Henry College …