The Duggars Respond to Reports That Josh Duggar Was Accused of Child Molestation

[KendraDZ1902]

Yes, and I think that was deliberate on the parents part. They didn’t want this going through official channels. Not only would Josh be in hot water legally, but they would’ve lost total control over what happens to him AND what he was exposed to. Getting the courts involved would’ve surely gotten secular counseling involved along with a worldview that they went to great length to shield their kids from.

On one level, I can understand this as a parent. But on another level, it came down to control. Something very valuable to JimBob.

He is very much a control freak. And I think that it is harmful to basically totally shield your kids from the world. They will venture out there one day. Secular counseling isn’t the devil, I go about once a month, and it would have been much better than nothing at all.

And the girls need counseling!! This whole thing has been all about Josh. His statement about the victims is that he hurt others. The rest is me, me, me, me.

Twelve years ago, as a young teenager I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life. I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption.

He was worried about ruining his own life…:blackeye:

Anna didn’t state anything about the victims, either. And JimBob only said that the whole family grew closer to God. It’s all about Josh. And I think Josh was the only person who stated that the girls received counseling, but considering his counseling is questionable, I question that statement.

 

[Sophie_Lawrence]

Yes, and I think that was deliberate on the parents part. They didn’t want this going through official channels. Not only would Josh be in hot water legally, but they would’ve lost total control over what happens to him AND what he was exposed to. Getting the courts involved would’ve surely gotten secular counseling involved along with a worldview that they went to great length to shield their kids from.

On one level, I can understand this as a parent. But on another level, it came down to control. Something very valuable to JimBob.

I’m a mom, and my oldest was 13. I just cannot fathom not addressing the reason for this behavior.

My oldest is a boy. I would worry about mental illness or even physical illness. I would want to address this.

I do know of some children personally suffering from temporary odd behavior due to illness (not molestation) They are young adults now and are fine. They are fine because they received treatment.

 

[QuestLove]

Yes, and I think that was deliberate on the parents part. They didn’t want this going through official channels. Not only would Josh be in hot water legally, but they would’ve lost total control over what happens to him AND what he was exposed to. Getting the courts involved would’ve surely gotten secular counseling involved along with a worldview that they went to great length to shield their kids from.

On one level, I can understand this as a parent. But on another level, it came down to control. Something very valuable to JimBob.

In some states (not sure about theirs), if the parent is actively seeking help and counselling the courts/authorities will allow you to pursue it. This is good for the state because that is one less case to prosecute which means money saved by the state.

There seems to be an outstanding (meaning unanswered) question about whether the state trooper was truly a family friend or whether the Duggars simply knew him because he performed state inspections on the vehicles at the Duggars’ car lot.

In either case, the trooper was negligent in not getting CPS involved. At a minimum it seems that should have happened.

I am surprised the trooper did not report it since it would seem he should be mandated by law to report it. But then again maybe he didn’t really see it as a big issue. In the past two days and even with a few posts on this thread, I can see how people woul hesitate to report it. I guess if you view it as a youthful mistake, of which reporting it would ruin his life, you would hesitate to do so and let the family sort it out.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

In some states (not sure about theirs), if the parent is actively seeking help and counselling the courts/authorities will allow you to pursue it. This is good for the state because that is one less case to prosecute which means money saved by the state.

I am surprised the trooper did not report it since it would seem he should be mandated by law to report it. But then again maybe he didn’t really see it as a big issue. In the past two days and even with a few posts on this thread, I can see how people woul hesitate to report it. I guess if you view it as a youthful mistake, of which reporting it would ruin his life, you would hesitate to do so and let the family sort it out.

He’s a Law Enforcement Officer. He should have done his job, but he was a family friend who had/has child porn problems, so he probably didn’t see it as a big deal.

 

[Galnextdoor]

His was a sick activity don’t you think? If I was the mother of his children I would be worried about whether or not he was fit to be around my daughters. Perhaps you would have no qualms about your granddaughter being in the care of a man who sexually abused his sisters but I do.

You missed the point. You were not talking about facts, merely a crudely stated speculation that you created in your mind.

The facts as we know them are:

1. A 13 year old boy inappropriately touched his sisters.
2. He apologized to his sisters, told them that he had wronged them, and asked for their
   forgiveness.
3. His parents sent him to a Christian Ministry program that involved, as far as we can tell,
   Christian counseling, scripture reading, and hard labor (doing grunt work in the
   remodeling business). This place was several hundred miles away from his family. He
   stayed there for 4 months. (This may not have been a live-in facility. He might have
   stayed with a friend while he went through the program. This part is not clear.)
4. When he came home, his father took him to the State Trooper’s headquarters and
   explained to a State Trooper what he had done. The father stated he was acquainted
   with this trooper because he used to do state inspections of cars at his used car
   business. The trooper gave the boy, now 14, a lecture about how his life could end up if
   he continued down this path. Unbeknownst to Mr. Duggar, the state trooper was a
   pervert. The trooper chose not to file a report.
5. The girls stated that afterwards, their parents separated the girls from the boys. The boy was not allowed to be alone with the girls except for a short time. Girls were only allowed to tend to girls. Boys were only allowed to tend to boys. No touching between neck and feet. Only sideways hugs between brothers and sisters.
6. Someone leaked this record of a 13 year old, which was illegal. It violated the girls
   privacy, as well as, the boys.
7. As a result, any wounds the older girls may have, have been exposed and open to the
   public.
8. The boy, now 27 years old and with no reports of recidivism, has resigned his job as
   an advocate for the family in Washington D.C.
9. This tragedy happened 5 and 6 years before the family began their t.v. show. The family’s t.v. show has been put on hiatus. (I think this was their primary resource of
   supporting the girls, which could be devastating for the whole family.)

I think that jumping to conclusions and saying things that you don’t know to be true about somebody on a public forum is bearing false witness against your neighbor.

Because of my faith, I believe that all things are possible through God. (Matthew 19:26)

I pray for the whole family. I, myself, had a rough childhood (molestation, neglect, almost kidnapped, held hostage at gunpoint, tormented and spit on etc.), but I believe that God can change people if they open their hearts to Him. I pray for the souls of people who committed crimes against me, and I forgive them.

Strangely enough, it is harder for me to forgive the people who knew what happened and refused to acknowledge it and did nothing.

The Duggars tried to do something. Maybe we don’t agree with what they did, but they tried.

 

[Dawnia]

This was the second opinion. Thank you very much. Don’t pretend like you care. I know this was just a snotty comment.

You’re correct. I don’t care about your mental issues.

I for one think your suggestion was vile. Your mental issues are your own, don’t go projecting them on everyone else.

 

[Galnextdoor]

He’s a Law Enforcement Officer. He should have done his job, but he was a family friend who had/has child porn problems, so he probably didn’t see it as a big deal.

The magazine article said he was a family friend. In the report, Mr. Duggar said that he knew the trooper because he used to do State Inspections at the car dealership. This sounds like the man was more of an acquaintance.

 

[Dawnia]

Yes, and I think that was deliberate on the parents part. They didn’t want this going through official channels. Not only would Josh be in hot water legally, but they would’ve lost total control over what happens to him AND what he was exposed to. Getting the courts involved would’ve surely gotten secular counseling involved along with a worldview that they went to great length to shield their kids from.

On one level, I can understand this as a parent. But on another level, it came down to control. Something very valuable to JimBob.

Then what would have been the point of taking him to the police station if they intended this? Wouldn’t there be a risk of others overhearing or finding out? Wouldn’t it have been easier to simply have the officer come to their house and talk to him?

 

[KendraDZ1902]

You’re correct. I don’t care about your mental issues.

I for one think your suggestion was vile. Your mental issues are your own, don’t go projecting them on everyone else.

Yeah, well, comparing sex abuse to vandalism, adultery, and underage drinking is vile.

“I don’t care what you think about me. I don’t think about you at all.” --Coco Chanel.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

The magazine article said he was a family friend. In the report, Mr. Duggar said that he knew the trooper because he used to do State Inspections at the car dealership. This sounds like the man was more of an acquaintance.

Still should have done his job.

 

[Galnextdoor]

One thing people fail to notice is the state trooper they talked to was a family friend who was convicted of child porn and other crimes. This is why it never went anywhere is the family friend did not do his job!

According to the magazine article, the trooper was a family friend. If you read the report, Mr. Duggar states that he knew the trooper because the trooper used to do state inspections at the Duggar’s used car business. Obviously, when they went to the State Trooper’s Headquarters to talk to the trooper, they had no idea he was a pervert.

I agree that if the State Trooper had done his job, the parents would not be receiving so much flak right now.

 

[Galnextdoor]

Still should have done his job.

You are absolutely correct. Just thinking about that trooper makes my skin crawl.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

You are absolutely correct. Just thinking about that trooper makes my skin crawl.

Ditto.

 

[Galnextdoor]

He is very much a control freak. And I think that it is harmful to basically totally shield your kids from the world. They will venture out there one day. Secular counseling isn’t the devil, I go about once a month, and it would have been much better than nothing at all.

And the girls need counseling!! This whole thing has been all about Josh. His statement about the victims is that he hurt others. The rest is me, me, me, me.

He was worried about ruining his own life…:blackeye:

According to Josh’s statement that you quoted, the girls did receive counseling. Hopefully, this helped them. I will pray for him and the whole family.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Anna didn’t state anything about the victims, either. And JimBob only said that the whole family grew closer to God. It’s all about Josh**. And I think Josh was the only person who stated that the girls received counseling, but considering his counseling is questionable, I question that statement**.

According to Josh’s statement that you quoted, the girls did receive counseling. Hopefully, this helped them. I will pray for him and the whole family.

You shouldn’t cut off posts and then act like the person didn’t mention what you stated.

 

[silver_moon]

1. Someone leaked this record of a 13 year old, which was illegal. It violated the girls
   privacy, as well as, the boys.
2. As a result, any wounds the older girls may have, have been exposed and open to the
   public.

This is the worst part to me. It reminds me too much of other abuse accounts that have gone public (either by the person voluntarily speaking out, or being outed by someone else) and then a great deal of damaging publicity. Whoever leaked that report to In Touch didn’t care about the victims’ privacy and I think the magazine even bragged that they had a copy of the report despite judge’s order that the copies be destroyed.

Evidently a freedom of information request was filed by the magazine. It shows a gross lack of coordination among responders that this confidential information got out. The redactions were hardly sufficient for something of this level of visibility going to the public.

I used to work in a freedom of information office and I can’t imagine a screwup of this nature. It’s hard not to expect that people would have been seriously disciplined or fired over this. I helped coordinate requests, not redact them, but we had lawyers, etc, involved in review and were always reminded of our obligation to the public, to release what we could and keep confidential what was necessary.

I just can’t imagine this happening. Did this FOIA happen at the federal or state level? They made it sound like they just contacted the police but there are procedures - this is one of those times when government desire to review is supposed to help people.

 

[Galnextdoor]

So, here is a question that I would like opinions on. This tragedy occurred in 2002 and 2003.
The family’s t.v. show came about because they had a large family and people were fascinated by this fact. If I remember correctly, shortly before the Duggar series came about, TLC was airing specials of different large families in the U.S. The Duggar’s show came on air in 2008.
As a result of this leak and the subsequent villification (my opinion) of the Duggars, their show has been put hiatus and may not be renewed.

Do you think this is fair to the parents and remaining children?

 

[KendraDZ1902]

So, here is a question that I would like opinions on. This tragedy occurred in 2002 and 2003.
The family’s t.v. show came about because they had a large family and people were fascinated by this fact. If I remember correctly, shortly before the Duggar series came about, TLC was airing specials of different large families in the U.S. The Duggar’s show came on air in 2008.
As a result of this leak and the subsequent villification (my opinion) of the Duggars, their show has been put hiatus and may not be renewed.

Do you think this is fair to the parents and remaining children?

Technically, life isn’t fair. TLC also canceled Honey Boo-boo because of sex abuse. It would be wrong to cancel one show and not the other.

 

[silver_moon]

This is based on a 30-second search with me knowing no details of the FOIA other than that the magazine submitted a request to someone:

I am not saying cover it up. I’m saying Oprah and Harpo studios handled it really well. They referred the matter to authorities for investigation, made a personal decision about not airing the show, and kept the whole matter private.

There was then an investigation which didn’t really go anywhere b/c the statute of limitations had expired.

FOIA exemptions (when material should not be released):

foia.gov/faq.html#exemptions

Exemption 6: Information that, if disclosed, would invade another individual’s personal privacy.

• I think it cannot be accurately stated that this was honored. Just my opinion. There’s the letter of the law and the spirit, as well.*

Exemption 7: Information compiled for law enforcement purposes if one of the following harms would occur.

This would be a problem if the statute of limitations had not expired.

Law enforcement information is exempt if it:

7(A). Could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings
7(B). Would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication
7(C). Could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
7(D). Could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source
7(E). Would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions
7(F). Could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual

 

[Galnextdoor]

You shouldn’t cut off posts and then act like the person didn’t mention what you stated.

Please forgive me. I was just trying to state that since according to Josh’s statement the girls did receive counseling, I hoped it helped. If I implied something else, it was inadverdent. I should have read it again before I posted.