Ministry that homeschooled the Duggars sued by FIVE women for sexual misconduct

Publish date: 2024-05-22

The Duggar family has found themselves in another sexual misconduct scandal.

Five women are suing the Institute in Basic Life Principles and its board claiming that the organization 'frequently received reports' involving 'sexual abuse, sexual harassment and inappropriate/unauthorized touching' and did nothing to address these claims.

The IBLP is the parent organization of the homeschool program used by Michelle Duggar and frequently seen on their now-cancelled reality show 19 Kids and Counting.

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Five women are suing the Institute in Basic Life Principles (founder Bill Gothard above) and its board for covering up incidents of sexual misconduct

Five women are suing the Institute in Basic Life Principles (founder Bill Gothard above) and its board for covering up incidents of sexual misconduct

The IBLP is the parent organization of the homeschool program used by Michelle Duggar (above with her husband Jim Bob and 19 children)

The IBLP is the parent organization of the homeschool program used by Michelle Duggar (above with her husband Jim Bob and 19 children)

Josh Duggar (above) attended  Basic Life Principles Training Center for treatment after molesting five minors

Josh Duggar (above) attended  Basic Life Principles Training Center for treatment after molesting five minors

The Washington Post reports that each of the women 'seeks $50,000 in damages, alleging that the organization and its board acted negligently, with willful and wanton disregard for them, and engaged in a civil conspiracy to conceal the wrongdoing.'  

IBLP first came under under fire in 2014 after a scandal involving founder Bill Gothard.

Gothard was accused in 2014 of sexually harassing women who worked at his ministry, including teenagers, and not reporting cases of child abuse.

He was never convicted of any crimes, but resigned soon after these claims became public.

Josh Duggar attended one of the locations in Little Rock when he was a teenager after his parents learned he had sexually molested five minors, including four of his sisters. 

Jim Bob Duggar told investigators in 2006 that Josh was there from March 17, 2003, until July 17, 2003. 

There are facilities across the country, and some have been labelled as 'appalling' in their treatment of children.

According to the Basic Life website 'the programs offered and the specific focus at each training center varies.'

It also stated that 'the common goal is to strengthen individuals and families through sound Biblical teaching and character development opportunities and to demonstrate Christ’s love through serving.'

The non-denominational, Christian organization was founded in 1961 by Gothard.

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Share 101 shares The Institute in Basic Life Principles location in Illinois (above) where the incidents allegedly occured

The Institute in Basic Life Principles location in Illinois (above) where the incidents allegedly occured

Josh's brother Joseph (pictured above at his graduation) attended ALERT Academy, also run by Gothard

Josh's brother Joseph (pictured above at his graduation) attended ALERT Academy, also run by Gothard

Over 30 young women and teenagers came forward claiming they were sexually harassed by Gothard.

There were also reports that Gothard, who also runs the ALERT Academy which most of the Duggard boys have attended, was not reporting cases of child abuse.

He has long been a friend of the Duggars and even been featured on their TLC show 19 Kids and Counting.

ALERT Academy was also featured on the show when Joseph attended, with the entire family showing up for his graduation ceremony.

The show also filmed Joseph as he participated in the nine week program, being asked to complete tasks such as putting a car back together using wood for axles and then having to legibly copy a passage from the Bible.

The cost for an eleven-week program is $2900.

Gothard also runs the ATI Family Conference the Duggar family attends every year in Big Sandy, Texas. 

The family had been seen on their show attending the conference, and it is where Josh first met his wife Anna in 2006. 

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