Woman says Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris first molested her when she was 12-years-old

Woman says Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris first molested her when she was 12-years-old  WFAA.com

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Jun 19, 2024 - 03:30
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Woman says Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris first molested her when she was 12-years-old

Woman says Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris first molested her when she was 12-years-old

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Case of Pastor Robert Morris

Introduction

In a recent statement, Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church in Texas admitted to engaging in “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady” 35 years ago. This case raises important questions about the protection of children and the need for accountability within religious institutions.

The Accusation and Response

  1. A woman named Cindy Clemishire has come forward, accusing Pastor Morris of molesting her when she was 12 years old. She claims that the abuse continued for several years until she finally disclosed it to a friend and her parents.
  2. On Sunday, Pastor Morris acknowledged his involvement in inappropriate behavior with a young lady, although he did not mention her age. He described the actions as kissing and petting, but admitted that it was wrong.
  3. According to Morris, the situation came to light in March 1987, and he confessed and repented of his actions. He sought counseling and underwent a restoration process under the guidance of the Elders of Shady Grove Church and the young lady’s father.

The Impact and Legal Considerations

  • Clemishire has been sharing her story for years, but it only recently gained attention when she decided to publish it on a blog called The Wartburg Watch, which focuses on exposing instances of alleged sexual abuse in the church.
  • The alleged abuse began when Morris was already married and working as a traveling evangelist. He became a family friend to Clemishire’s family and stayed with them during his preaching engagements.
  • Clemishire claims that the abuse escalated over time, eventually leading to rape by instrumentation. She emphasizes the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to protecting children.
  • While Morris and Gateway Church’s elders have stated that he went through a restoration process and has since walked in purity and accountability, Clemishire questions the sincerity of his repentance, as she believes he was only sorry for getting caught.
  • Legal experts suggest that the statute of limitations for criminal or civil action related to Clemishire’s case has likely expired. However, she and her attorney, Boz Tchividjian, hope that her case will prompt lawmakers to reconsider the statute of limitations for sex crimes committed against children.

Conclusion

This case involving Pastor Robert Morris highlights the importance of addressing allegations of sexual abuse within religious institutions. It also underscores the need for accountability and protection of children. By promoting awareness and advocating for changes in legislation, we can strive towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5: Gender Equality and Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

  • SDG 5: Gender Equality
  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

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

  • SDG 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.
  • SDG 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 to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, the indicators could include:

  • Number of reported cases of sexual abuse and exploitation against children and women.
  • Number of successful prosecutions and convictions for cases of sexual abuse and exploitation.
  • Number of policies and programs implemented to prevent and respond to sexual abuse and exploitation.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 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. Indicators could include:
  • Number of reported cases of sexual abuse and exploitation against women and girls.
  • Number of successful prosecutions and convictions for cases of sexual abuse and exploitation.
  • Number of policies and programs implemented to prevent and respond to sexual abuse and exploitation.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. Indicators could include:
  • Number of reported cases of sexual abuse and exploitation against children.
  • Number of successful prosecutions and convictions for cases of sexual abuse and exploitation.
  • Number of policies and programs implemented to prevent and respond to sexual abuse and exploitation.

Source: wfaa.com