News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

USA News

Dozen women file class-action lawsuit against Liberty University regarding sexual assault policy

by Premier Journalist

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Liberty University implicating that the university covered sexual assault claims and rape.

On Tuesday morning, the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern of New York by a dozen former students and employees of the Evangelical university. The complaints involved include several cases of stalking, assault, and rape. The lawsuit, which was provided in advance to local Virginia outlet WSET before its submission, goes into vivid detail about the university's mishandling of claims.

One notable case involved a 15-year old girl on the university campus in 2000. According to WSET, "Liberty threatened to charge the teenager with filing a false report, made her ride in a police car with her alleged attacker and questioned her without water or food for eight hours — all while failing to investigate her alleged attacker properly." In other cases, the university allegedly demanded that a student marry their sexual assailant after becoming pregnant or else be at risk of being expelled. 

The lawsuit in question is directed at the university's Title IX Office. The plaintiffs currently claim that the office, which any university legally requires to receive any federal funding, had failed to investigate multiple claims of sexual assault.

Liberty University has been under significant scrutiny in recent years due to its conduct. Jerry Falwell Jr, Liberty's past president, was caught in a sex scandal last year, leading to his eventual resignation. The university is now suing Falwell over his using the university for his profit. Liberty is also currently being sued by a former executive over claims of racial discrimination.

 

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate