On Tuesday, News4JAX learned that the report includes allegations by a woman that she fought off an attempted rape in 1991 at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
According to the report. Gilyard was working there when the Jacksonville woman, Tiffany Thigpen, says she was attacked. She said she was terrified and traumatized.The report shows Dr. Jerry Vines, then-pastor of First Baptist, “was dismissive of her report” and told her “it would be embarrassing for her if others knew about it.”
The report shows she says the process has taken an emotional toll, writing, “Imagine telling for decades to a non-receptive audience, to an audience who abuses you with their shame and their hateful words against you.”Dr. Heath Lambert, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, sent News4JAX the following statement on Tuesday night:
Boto joined the Executive Committee in 1995 and became executive vice president and general counsel in 2007. Gene Besen, the committee’s interim counsel, said during Tuesday’s virtual meeting that releasing the list is an important step toward transparency. The names of survivors, confidential witnesses and any uncorroborated allegations of sexual abuse will be redacted from the list that will be made public, he said.Besen said the committee’s leaders will also look into revoking retirement benefits for Boto and others who were involved in the cover-up.
After the report’s release, more sexual abuse survivors have been contacting the Executive Committee to tell their stories, Besen said. He said he has asked Guidepost to open up a hotline so survivors who reach out “are directed to the proper place and receive the proper care.” The committee will publicize the hotline number as soon as it goes live, McLaurin said.
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