MK forum

And here is the statement from the BJU Public Relations Office. It does look like they have backed down and are going to allow GRACE to complete their investigation in the way it was originally planned. I can't help but notice the "spin" they put on their termination of GRACE. They are now calling it a "temporary suspension" and a "temporary delay", when in fact, their original letter to GRACE was actually titled "Notice of Termination".

Also notice that the end result that GRACE is insisting on is that the results of their investigation will be shared publicly. And THIS is what all these organizations are trying to avoid! In NTM's case, IHART is helping them to put on a show of an "independent" investigation, while NTM maintains full control over the report of abuse and what is done with the information gathered. Sharing it publicly is NOT part of their plan. They have already made that very clear.

(Underlining below added by me.)

BJU Reengages GRACE To Complete Independent Review

Greenville, S.C. (February 25, 2014) – Bob Jones University today announced that it has reached agreement with GRACE to complete the independent review of the University’s response to sexual and other abuse. The independent review was initiated by the University in response to a series of national news stories about abuse at other institutions. The purpose of the review was to assess past responses by the University in support of victims and identify policies and procedures that could be enhanced.

Bob Jones University suspended the review on January 27, 2014. Bob Jones University met with GRACE on February 18-19, 2014, to discuss any issues that might stand in the way of GRACE’s completion of thorough, transparent and objective review. GRACE satisfactorily addressed the University’s concerns and Bob Jones University is confident the review can be completed in a timely and professional manner. To be clear, GRACE and BJU are united in their commitment to a review that is thorough, transparent and objective. As the process moves forward, regular updates will be provided.

BJU appreciates our former students and others who participated in the review with GRACE. They demonstrated great courage to share their stories in an effort to help us improve. We appreciate how important this review is to everyone who cares about the University and we apologize for the added anxiety caused by the temporary suspension of the review.

Marshall Franklin, Executive Vice President of Operations at Bob Jones University, announced to the BJU faculty, staff and students today (Tues., Feb. 25) that the University is reinstating GRACE to complete the independent review of the University’s response to reports of sexual abuse initiated in November 2012.

BJU appreciates our former students who courageously participated in the project with GRACE and recounted personal and painful experiences from their past. We apologize for the pain and disappointment they suffered as we temporarily delayed the project.

Out of respect for our former students who shared their experiences with GRACE, and with an appreciation for the enormous effort that had gone into this project, officials from GRACE and Bob Jones University met recently to consider if BJU should continue the project with GRACE or restart it with another firm. After much discussion and several days of prayerful consideration, BJU concluded the best course of action was to reengage with GRACE to complete the project.

To be clear, GRACE will complete the review it started in November 2012, and the results will be shared publicly. As the process moves forward, progress updates will continue to be communicated.

I'd love to hear some of the "back-stories" of this.

Well, well, well. Very interesting and a good result. It seems a bit of pressure might work.

Next to have some pressure

I'm wondering what you have up your sleeve. Any new agendas to anticipate?

Me? Oh no, I'm just a quiet MK from somewhere south of most other MKs. I know nothing

But me is thinking. If the mighty BJU can be "encouraged" to reconsider their stance, surely it doth bode well for we who seek to move the NTM mountain.

O.k. everyone, on three everyone pushhhhhhhhhhh.

ONE, TWO, hang on I've dropped my endoscope , TWO and a HALF . . . . .

Or as Winston Churchill said, "never give up"

I'll try to find out whats happening -- I know this has been incredibly frustrating, disheartening, and much more. Please know that we care and we will advocate for you.

I am trying to hold onto hope regarding the forward movement of GRACE's investigation of BJU, but real-life experience of the past several years has made me very skeptical.

A BJU grad rightly pointed out that the reason BJU panicked and tried to keep GRACE from writing up and publishing their report was that not only has GRACE documented cases of abuse on campus and abuse off-campus that was not responded to in the right way by BJU counselors and staff, but more significantly, GRACE received a LOT of information about the general heavy-handed, legalistic, controlling, ultra-fundamentalist atmosphere at BJU which contributed in a huge way to the problem.

This is what BJU fears the most. The truth that they are a hotbed of spiritual abuse, which allows sexual and mental/emotional abuse to go unchecked, because they protect the abuser and not the victim. In order to protect their own organization, their own reputation, and keep the students -- and the money -- flowing in.

This all has a very familiar feel to me.

Anyone else?

Well that makes sense. BJU would not see itself as being general heavy-handed, legalistic, controlling and ultra-fundamentalist. Groups to the extreme rarely do, just like say Communist Guerrillas wouldn't. They see it as passion for a cause and the more passion the more the rewards e.t.c. It's not till one gets out and smells the fresh air then looks back that one can see how controlling these groups become and how they slide into extremism with elements of abuse.

Yes, yes, my friend it is all very familiar. We of course need to make sure we get balance in our lives too. Get out and smell the roses (or whatever smells nice in the frozen north at this time of year), enjoy life, have a break from crusading against the evils of abuse e.t.c.
And so saying, he looked outside and thought "I must go smell the roses" but it's still dark outside, so maybe in a short while .

Good advice! The sun is shining, although it is 30F out there right now.

I am bundling up and going out for a walk in the sunshine.

Right now!

O.k. what is 30F in Celsius? Sounds rather cold to me.

Look forward to full report on the delights of your walk, upon your return

First rays of daylight are just happening here, Canine Bemused is up and ready to sprinkle little blessings on trees and lampposts and Mrs Bemused is still fast asleep, so will just be the two of us.