Mike Parson is the Governor of Missouri. He was criticized for his lack of action in addressing violence and abuse at Christian boarding schools in Missouri.
Matt Franck wrote about abuses at Hope Baptist Academy in 2002. Everybody knew but did nothing. In Missouri, thanks to a feckless state government, “Christian” schools were not even required to register. Many politicians, including Mike Parson approved and supported the unregistered and unregulated because of religious ties.
Matt Franck wrote about abuses at Hope Baptist Academy in 2002. Every politician in Missouri should have campaigned on the need to shut them down, but instead politicians shook hands with the abusers and let it go on.
Everybody knew but did nothing. In Missouri, thanks to a feckless state government, “Christian” schools were not even required to register. In 2021, reacting to shopping reports of abuse, the state passed tepid regulations that now require the residential schools to let the government know they exist, conduct background checks, and follow state health and safety rules. But enforcement takes money.
- NPR: Missouri candidates face criticism over ties to religious schools where students allege abuse
- Word & Way: ‘Emotional Roller Coaster’: Delays in Effort to Shut Down Agape Dishearten Former Students
- KOMU: Missouri couple, who owned religious girls home, charged with over 100 counts of abuse, rape