A former Southern Baptist Convention president faces a lawsuit claiming that he humiliated a survivor of sexual abuse and trauma.

Plaintiff “Jane Roe,” an anonymous woman who formerly studied at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, came forward with sexual assault allegations for incidents in 2014 and 2015. According to Roe’s lawsuit, she was first stalked and then raped at gunpoint by a seminary student.

Before the incidents, Roe was reportedly a deeply religious woman who did not drink alcohol and committed herself to abstain from sex until she was married. However, her choice was allegedly taken from her when she was sexually assaulted by another member of the seminary.

Leaders at the seminary allegedly allowed the man to continue his schooling and excused his past behavior, according to the lawsuit. This reportedly left the man “undaunted” and allowed him “embark on a campaign of stalking, terror, manipulation and violence” which included threatening Roe with a murder-suicide if she resisted.

After her rape, Roe reportedly sought support from Paige Patterson, the man who formerly served as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention and the seminary. Instead of listening to Roe and supporting her, Patterson allegedly asked detailed, inappropriate questions and threatened Roe’s family. The lawsuit against Patterson claims that he “seemed to enjoy making Roe even more uncomfortable with his questions” and “callously rejected” her when she requested prayers and aid for her medical bills.

The man reportedly went even farther, according to Roe. After she divulged the details of her sexual abuse and trauma, Patterson allegedly told her that the rape was actually a “good thing” and said that “the right man would not care if she was a virgin or not.” Later, Patterson allegedly told the seminary staff about her rape without her consent.

In May 2018, Patterson was fired from his position as president after he faced claims of mismanaging rape allegations.

Another female student at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary reportedly made a rape allegation to Patterson in 2003. He reportedly mismanaged the allegations and failed to alert the local authorities.

“SWBTS denounces all abusive behavior, any behavior that enables abuse, any failure to protect the abused, and any failure to safeguard those who are vulnerable to abuse,” Kevin Ueckert, Chairman of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, said in a statement.

Additionally, documents reportedly revealed that Patterson intended to meet with a rape victim alone in order to “break her down.” The recent sexual abuse and trauma lawsuit against Patterson claims that Roe was the rape victim referenced in these documents.

Like other large organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention has recently come under scrutiny due to claims that pastors, deacons, youth pastors, and volunteers were guilty of sexual misconduct.

Early in 2019, The Houston Chronicle joined together with the San Antonio Express News in a massive “Abuse of Faith” investigation which exposed the Southern Baptist Convention’s epidemic of sexual misconduct. According to the investigation, over 700 individuals have been victimized by church figures.

An independent investigation published in Guidepost Solutions in May 2022 found that leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention mishandled sexual abuse allegations and intimidated victims for nearly two decades.

The Southern Baptist Convention has reportedly taken some steps in recent years to better handle allegations of sexual abuse.

Join a free sexual assault lawsuit investigation

Every year, more and more survivors of sexual abuse come forward with their stories to see justice and awareness. A number of states across the country are introducing changes to their sexual abuse laws that give survivors more time to seek justice, expanding their statutes of limitations. Some states, including California, have instituted look-back windows, allowing survivors with previously expired cases a period of time to bring their cases forward.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault by any person in an athletic, school, medical, or employment setting, you are entitled to a free case evaluation to find out your potential remedies and compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by abuse, but it can at least help to hold those responsible — including perpetrators and organizations — accountable for their actions and inactions.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.