(GREENVILLE, SC) December 22, 2011 . . . Dr. Stephen Jones, president of Bob Jones University, announced today that prior to the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees in early December he worked with the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees to propose that the Board establish a committee to review BJU’s sexual abuse policy and its application.
Dr. Jones’ request comes as a result of recent national media reports of the mishandling of sexual abuse. “When I—or any member of the BJU family—hears of sexual abuse, we grieve for the victim,” says Dr. Jones. “The scars of abuse are deep, long-lasting and life-altering, and our hearts ache for every individual who’s been abused by a predator.”
According to Dr. Jones, no God-ordained institution, organization or individual—not even Christian families, churches, Christian schools or Christian young people—is immune to sexual abuse and its effects. Sexual abuse potentially can occur at anytime, at any place and involve any person. As a university committed to Christlikeness, we bear responsibility to support victims who are under our care, to handle instances of sexual abuse biblically and legally, and to train our faculty, staff and students to better understand this issue and to respond appropriately, says Dr. Jones.
Bob Jones University has a detailed sexual abuse policy and procedures for reporting sexual abuse that are distributed to every faculty and staff member. Dr. Jones said that he requested the review committee to make absolutely certain BJU’s policies and procedures both fully comply with the law and ensure a loving, scripturally based response.
The review committee will be composed of representatives of the Board along with individuals external to the University who have a variety of perspectives on sexual abuse and have a variety of expertise in responding to it. In addition to reviewing the current policy and its application, the committee will determine if improvements are needed to strengthen the deterrents against sexual abuse and to provide support and counsel to victims. “If improvements are needed, I will ensure actions are taken,” says Dr. Jones.
The Board’s executive committee currently is forming the review committee and establishing its charter. The review committee is expected to begin its work before the end of January and complete it by May 1.
“Our desire is to honor Christ, to do justly, and to walk humbly before our God,” says Dr. Jones. “I want to know of any improvements we can make in how we respond to and lovingly support individuals who have experienced abuse, helping them deal with its lingering results. I look forward to hearing the review committee’s results.”