Woman claims she was abused at Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy

[Stan]

Woman claims she was abused at Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy in mid 1990s

By Malaika Fraley

Contra Costa Times

Posted: 10/01/2009 10:02:46 PM PDT

Updated: 10/02/2009 09:20:19 AM PDT

MARTINEZ — A Contra Costa County woman is suing the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and a former teacher at its Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy for more than $5 million, saying she was molested when she was a student at the private school in the mid-1990s.

The woman, who is listed as Jane Doe in an amended complaint filed Thursday, said she was a 13-year-old seventh grader at the school, formerly known as the Pleasant Hill Junior Academy, in 1994 when the abuse by her teacher and volleyball coach, Andrew McPherson, began.

McPherson, a registered sex offender in Idaho whose father is president of the church's Idaho conference, could not be reached for comment Thursday. The Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists said it does not comment on pending litigation. A call to the group's attorney was unreturned.

According to a complaint filed in Contra Costa Superior Court, McPherson first started harassing the girl with sexually explicit comments that escalated into unwanted groping, fondling and kissing. The abuse culminated with an incident in May 1996, at the end of the girl's ninth-grade year, when McPherson choked the then-15-year-old on campus, the complaint says.

The church responded to the choking incident by transferring McPherson to its Reno Junior Academy, said the woman's attorneys, Kelly Clark, of Portland, Ore., and Lisa Sapoce, of Oakland. Two years later, McPherson was convicted

of having sex with a 15-year-old female student at the Reno Junior Academy and groping another, according to an 1998 report in the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Jane Doe left the school after the choking incident and until now never reported the molestations. She is reporting it now, her attorneys said, because she has come to fully realize the effect the abuse has had on her personally and as a parent.

The attorneys said their client, as well as the Reno victims, would have been spared harm had the Seventh-day Adventists acted on complaints it received as early as 1993 that McPherson was physically, sexually and verbally inappropriate with students in Pleasant Hill. They expect other victims to come forward.

"We suspect, from the information that we do have, that several other girls at the school were similarly treated," Sapoce said.

[Stan]

By 1996 when the transfer took place to Reno the church had know that these people do not change, it was unacceptable.

That conference president hiring his pervert friend was just wrong. He is now the president of the Southern California Conference.

[Stan]

It was public knowledge when he was 'transfered'

[bonnie]

It was public knowledge when he was 'transfered'

This has been the accepted way of handling issues as this. Slowly it is getting better.The lawsuits they have faced as a result of this way of doing business has been a motivating factor I think.

Wish many of us felt it was for the right reasons but will take what we can get for now

[Gerr]

It was public knowledge when he was 'transfered'

Unfortunately, the church leaders' solution to complaints of sexual harassment or just plain incompetence or unsuitableness for the job has, in the past, been to merely transfer the problem to another district. I hope they have learned their lesson. I understand that the accused have rights too, but these cases have to be thoroughly investigated and protect victims/potential victims AND the church from wrong and embarrassment.

[olger]

ok

[phkrause]

Obviously they haven't Gerry. This has gone on for many years. They just keep transfering them from one place to the next, hoping this will help. Not to bright I'd say.

pk

[LifeHiscost]

This is a good example of the progression of results that occur when the idea is accepted that God doesn't act with serious effort against anyone, this being left to satan and the wicked, for God is too good to become personally involved in punishment.

[olger]

Super-SIZED "amen".

olger the younger

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

McPherson, a registered sex offender in Idaho whose father is president of the church's Idaho conference, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Coaspen isn't going to like all this talk about sex.

I think this highlights why all our churches and schools need to be doing background checks. If the school did a background check and the person cam back with a clean record, there isn't too much legally we can do. However we can still create an environment where we talk about sexual predators and abuse. How many of our schools have a good sexual education program? How many of our AY groups talk about God's plan for sex in our lives? I was involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and Youth For Christ when I was younger and they dealt with sex a lot. It was a common topic for group discussion.

[Stan]

I believe all conferences and schools do that, have for several years, the problem comes in when certain people override them, and that can be because of rebaptism, public confession, 'conversions' etc.

This only happens, in my opinion, a fraction of what used to happen.

[bonnie]

I believe all conferences and schools do that, have for several years, the problem comes in when certain people override them, and that can be because of rebaptism, public confession, 'conversions' etc.

This only happens, in my opinion, a fraction of what used to happen.

Currently there is more caution because of the number of lawsuits and PR.

That doesn't do anything for those that were shuffled around like deck chairs on the Titanic. They are still in positions of trust.

One employee went on to another academy after successful litigation against him. This was not that long ago.

He was finally dismissed when more suspicion kept coming.

During our personal situation there was a strong credible indication the predator pastor would be picked up by another conference. In a call to the MN conference president,we requested that the other conference be notified.

Our answer was "We don't typically do that,but if asked for a reference we will certainly not give a good recommendation"

We still do not have a place for abuse victims to go to be heard and receive help.Especially for the young ones

[Dr. Shane]

It is shameful that it takes litigation for the church to address the issue, but not surprising. Many Adventist members don't want to hear any talk about sex and would rather pretend that it doesn't happen in our church. I become rather suspicious of those that frown on talking about it as perhaps leading double lives themselves. I feel much more comfortable with the person that lives their lives as an open book.

[bonnie]

By 1996 when the transfer took place to Reno the church had know that these people do not change, it was unacceptable.

That conference president hiring his pervert friend was just wrong. He is now the president of the Southern California Conference.

I knew the boy's grandfather,his father,and Andrew as a child in church.

His grandfather was a tremendous speaker as was Andrew's father.

It was as wrong for Steven Mcpherson to allow his son to be in positions of trust and unsupervised.

Both the grandfather and father of Andrew had a very impressive grasp of biblical knowledge. But just having the knowledge didn't prevent what they allowed to happen

This is part of the ongoing problem the denomination has.

Is it reasonable to assume that both Steven Mcpherson and the President of the Southern California Conference only turned a blind eye this one time.

How many others that have not been caught by their victims coming forward will be exposed?

[bonnie]

It is shameful that it takes litigation for the church to address the issue, but not surprising. Many Adventist members don't want to hear any talk about sex and would rather pretend that it doesn't happen in our church. I become rather suspicious of those that frown on talking about it as perhaps leading double lives themselves. I feel much more comfortable with the person that lives their lives as an open book.

I am not so sure it is always talk of sex that makes SDA's uncomfortable in this situation.

I think a lot of times it is more that it is easier to blame the victim than to root out a nasty little problem under the rug.

I would like a 10.00 bill for the times I heard "We are so sorry,but there were good things he was doing,so we didn't know what to do"

[bonnie]

This family had everything going for them on the surface.

Beautiful family,picture postcard perfect.

Andrew's father was a dynamic speaker as was his grandfather. HIs mother was a beautiful woman,both in personality,her role as mother and physical beauty as well.

Three little tow head boys that were as cute as could be.

Something went horribly wrong

[phkrause]

Good post Bonnie. And I would only take $5 and probably be in good shape. I find nothing wrong with saying someone has done much good but they still need to pay for there wrong's.

pk

[bonnie]

Good post Bonnie. And I would only take $5 and probably be in good shape. I find nothing wrong with saying someone has done much good but they still need to pay for there wrong's.

pk

I understand that is the way you mean it. That is not the way those involved with protecting or doing nothing with a predator.

The victim is simply a unfortunate inconvenience.Had she/he been a christian they would realize the damage they do by speaking out. God's work must not be impeded by those that likely had some responsibility for their own abuse.

If they would forgive,then others would forgive them for allowing themselves to be a victim.

Let's look at the good the abuser is doing and realize we all sin.

If I could collect money for each time I heard this over 6 years it would make a nice addition to our retirement.

[phkrause]

Originally Posted By: pkrause

Good post Bonnie. And I would only take $5 and probably be in good shape. I find nothing wrong with saying someone has done much good but they still need to pay for there wrong's.

pk

I understand that is the way you mean it. That is not the way those involved with protecting or doing nothing with a predator.

The victim is simply a unfortunate inconvenience.Had she/he been a christian they would realize the damage they do by speaking out. God's work must not be impeded by those that likely had some responsibility for their own abuse.

If they would forgive,then others would forgive them for allowing themselves to be a victim.

Let's look at the good the abuser is doing and realize we all sin.

If I could collect money for each time I heard this over 6 years it would make a nice addition to our retirement.

Good statements, and so true, and unfortunate.

pk

[LifeHiscost]

It is shameful that it takes litigation for the church to address the issue, but not surprising. Many Adventist members don't want to hear any talk about sex and would rather pretend that it doesn't happen in our church. I become rather suspicious of those that frown on talking about it as perhaps leading double lives themselves. I feel much more comfortable with the person that lives their lives as an open book.

" When Jesus possesses the heart, there will be no prevarication, no secret iniquity practiced, no hidden sins covered; all will be as transparent as the sunlight. Care must be taken that the youth who walk secretly in the paths of dishonesty and corruption be not accepted as teachers or officers in the Sabbath-schools. The course of some that are teachers is such that God abhors them. Falsehood, fraud, dissembling, and immorality is written against them in the books of heaven. The standard must be elevated, and sins and corruptions must not be permitted to exist in our midst. While the guilty ones are honored with positions of trust, where they educate and give lessons to the youth, how can God bless the work? How can those with unholy, unsanctified hearts, that have never known the religion of Jesus, feel competent to be teachers and superintendents in our Sabbath-schools? How can they elevate and purify by their example?" {SSW, October 1, 1885 par. 10}

"

[LifeHiscost]

This family had everything going for them on the surface.

Beautiful family,picture postcard perfect.

Andrew's father was a dynamic speaker as was his grandfather. HIs mother was a beautiful woman,both in personality,her role as mother and physical beauty as well.

Three little tow head boys that were as cute as could be.

Something went horribly wrong

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NKJV

For those who have the responsibility to act impartially when someone falls, it is not always easy to to judge correctly. Only those who choose to believe wisdom is God's alone will be sufficient for the task.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."James 1:5 NKJV

"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."1 John 2:2 NKJV

"He said unto them, `An enemy hath done this.' The servants said unto him, `Wilt thou then have us go and gather them up?'

But he said, `Nay, lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."

Matthew 13:28-30 21st Century KJV

Blessings!

[Felix Florimon]

It is shameful that it takes litigation for the church to address the issue, but not surprising. Many Adventist members don't want to hear any talk about sex and would rather pretend that it doesn't happen in our church.

I was baptized in the SDA church 44 years ago at the age of 11. I have heard a lot about the “truth about the Sabbath, the sanctuary, what happens when one dies” etc. However, I have not heard anyone talking regarding “the truth about sex” and how it has a major impact on how we may worship our Creator in a way acceptable to God.

How we handle the issue of sex is having an overall worldwide negative effect on the church because as a church we have not developed a consistent biblical way of thinking that could be frequently shared with teenagers, adults, married and single individuals within our church.

[Felix Florimon]

Sex was first in God’s mind when our Creator decided to create Adam and Eve. Those two individuals would have the means of reproduction through reproductive organs that would complement each other in the formation of new creatures. Those two individuals would have a unique relationship between themselves that would generate a great deal of emotional and physical joy plus the ability to procreate other humans like themselves. Even though Adam and Eve would be two individuals forming one couple, they would be more than “one couple” they would be “one flesh.” The newborn creatures would also be part of the family of God and they would be born with an innate desire to worship and follow His laws.

[Felix Florimon]

As a part of our worship to our Creator, each one of our mental and physical abilities should be to bring glory and honor to Him and to His purpose of creation. Regretfully, among ourselves we may find people who feel addicted to the physical pleasure of sex in a way that is completely alien to the purpose of God when He envisioned to give Adam and Eve reproductive means that would generate in them the emotional and physical joy through a relationship lasting thorough a whole eternity plus the ability to bring more of God’s children into existence. Those addicted individuals should never be allowed to work in a position where the Devil would feel tempted to make them fall again in their sinful ways of handling the sexual gift given by the Creator to His creatures on earth.

[phkrause]

Good points Felix.

pk