By R.L. Stollar, HA Community Coordinator
WORLD Magazine has just announced that Bill Gothard, founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) and the Advanced Training Institute homeschool curriculum, was placed on “administrative leave” by IBLP’s board of directors.
Warren Cole Smith for WORLD stated this evening that Gothard will be on leave “while the board investigates claims that he years ago engaged in sexual harassment and other misconduct.” Allegations and evidence have surfaced recently about how Bill Gothard has sexually harassed and molested over 30 young woman, including children, for decades.
According to Smith, IBLP board chairman Billy Boring said that, “After completion of the review the board will respond at an appropriate time, and in a biblical manner.” Until the investigation is completed, however, Gothard will cease participation in “the operations of the ministry.”
As of 6:50 pm PST, IBLP’s website, Facebook, and Twitter have no statement on the matter.
Homeschoolers Anonymous 
I sincerely hope that the board just now found out about this, and that that’s why they are taking action, and that it’s not because he was finally expoused and they are forced to do something to save face.
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Reblogged this on Pax Puero and commented:
Congratulations to Recovering Grace and all of the poor women involved in this. I hope that this is a step in the right direction!
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Wow….. I did not expect results (such as they are) this early.
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“After completion of the review the board will respond at an appropriate time, and in a biblical manner.”
I am curious about this. I agree that the Board needs to investigate before it can pass final judgment on Gothard’s fitness for the ministry. But, there is criminal conduct that ought to be prosecuted, if the victims come forward within the statute of limitation. God forbid if IBYP does what the Catholic church did, and keep law enforcement out of this. Sexual molestation is a crime. Let’s not forget this.
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Sheila0405: You should probably Read the FAQ recently posted by Recovering Grace. They answer the question about the legal aspects, though they focus more on the abuse/sexual conduct side. Basically, the victim is the one who has to press the charges. One of the victims referenced in this article (http://www.religionnews.com/2014/02/28/conservative-leader-bill-gothard-placed-administrative-leave-following-abuse-allegations/) states her issue is past the statute of limitations though she did inform the local police about it just a few days ago, so if someone else comes forward with a more recent accusation her testimony could be used as support. Regarding the financial issues, those the Board can use themselves to press charges, as that is there responsibility. But there doesn’t appear to be any evidence of recent financial mismanagement such as happened 30 years ago.
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Absolutely this needs to be exposed in its entirety. Get all the truth out. I hope all the victims understand there are criminal issues here, and they need to get their ducks in a row and prosecute. I also understand there were organization officials and others who knew what was going on over the years, but did nothing–rather, I should say they said they “couldn’t” do anything because of the hold Gothard had over them. My gut feeling is that they were all men protecting their little kingdoms. Not surprising. I’ve had the same thing happen to me; i.e., men simply looked the other way and did/said nothing.
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