Lawsuit alleges years of child sex abuse at politically connected Arkansas treatment facility – Arkansas Advocate

A Federal Lawsuit Alleges Sexual and Physical Abuse at The Lord’s Ranch

A federal lawsuit filed Monday alleges repeated sexual and physical abuse of children at The Lord’s Ranch, a residential treatment facility in Northeast Arkansas that closed in 2016.

Background

• The Lord’s Ranch opened in 1976 and closed in 2016.
• Owner Ted Suhl was convicted of bribing a state official to increase Medicaid payments to his companies.
• Suhl’s sentence was commuted in 2019 by former President Donald Trump.

Allegations of Abuse

1. The lawsuit focuses on allegations of sexual abuse by the camp’s director of social services, Emmett Presley.
2. Camp leadership, including Suhl, were aware of the abuse but did nothing to stop it.
3. Residents who reported the abuse faced threats and intimidation.

Legal Action

• Eight former residents have filed the lawsuit.
• The plaintiffs’ lawyers plan to file more lawsuits on behalf of other clients.
• The lawsuit seeks punitive damages to deter similar abuse in the future.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The allegations of abuse at The Lord’s Ranch highlight the importance of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – Ensuring the safety and well-being of children in residential treatment facilities.
2. Goal 5: Gender Equality – Addressing the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, particularly boys.
3. Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and providing justice for the victims.

Similar Cases of Abuse

• Kanakuk Kamps, another Christian summer camp, was sued last year for concealing knowledge of sexual misconduct by a director.
• The Branson-based camp is currently suing its insurance company for threatening to deny coverage if information about the abuse was made public.

Conclusion

The lawsuit against The Lord’s Ranch sheds light on the systemic and widespread abuse that occurred at the facility. It is crucial to address these issues and work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure the safety and well-being of all children.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. No Poverty

• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
• Indicator 1.2.2: Proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

3. Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease.

4. Quality Education

• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
• Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.

5. Gender Equality

• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.

10. Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.

16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
• Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18.

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs that are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are:

– SDG 1: No Poverty

– SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

– SDG 4: Quality Education

– SDG 5: Gender Equality

– SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

– SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

– Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

– Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

– Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.

– Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

– Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

– Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators related to the identified targets. However, some indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets include:

– Indicator 1.2.2: Proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

– Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease.

– Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.

– Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.

– Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.

– Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators