i'm not writing this post to bash the duggars on their beliefs or to call them hypocrites or burn them at the stake.
my biggest issue is that what josh duggar did to 5 young girls (including 4 of his sisters) was not taken seriously. and that people are using the defense with "but he said he was sorry", "he apologized to his victims and his family", "his parents took care of the situation", and the worst of all "teenage mistakes."
I read the police report twice. jim bob and michelle knew that their son had been molesting his sisters an entire year before they took any action. I don't know what they knew, who told them, or if they were aware of the actual severity but nothing was done. in jim bob's words they "reprimanded" josh. a year later it's still happening and only then do they decide to do something. jim bob meets with people in his church to seek advice. I realize people cope in different ways. but in addition to seeking support from their friend, they should have gone to the authorities to seek advice. sexual abuse isn't something you can "pray away." this is something that needs to be handled sensitively as well as immediately. it's also something that you can handle with an apology, prayer or a send off to "rehab" aka help some random guy they knew on his farm for a few months.
the most eery of all is that once josh returned from "rehab", his parents take him to a state trooper they knew personally. jim bob told the police in 2006 that mr. state trooper gave josh a "stern talking to" and sent him on his way. his way back into his home with his victims and the rest of his family. currently, mr. state trooper is serving 50+ years for child pornography.
my heart aches for the family and the victims. the family because they are so sheltered they don't realize that what their brother/son/husband did is wrong. they are sheltered and don't know about sex, etc. they weren't taught sex education like most kids their age because their mother taught them school and because of their religious beliefs sex was left off the curriculum. the victims need comfort and support. josh needs appropriate counseling and punishment. jim bob and michelle need guidance.
there is still so much that I want to say about this issue. so much I don't know how to put into words. but read this post and it will say all I want/need to say.
