Bill Gothard abuse survivors still seek justice, healing as they reckon with his legacy

(RNS) — When Bill Gothard, the disgraced architect of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, first fell into a coma after suffering a heart attack in late June, Chad Harris didn’t know whether to feel relief or anger.

“A lot of us are really happy that Gothard can no longer harm other people,” said Harris, who was raised on IBLP’s homeschool curriculum. “But also, in our view, Gothard kind of got away with it … he never really had to endure any significant financial loss or accountability.”

Those conflicting sentiments were echoed in interviews with several women who have reported   sexual abuse allegations against Gothard and by people like Harris who said they have been harmed by his teachings. As of July 11, the 91-year-old ministry leader was still unconscious, according to his official Facebook page.

Many survivors have been working for over a decade to hold Gothard and IBLP accountable for what they allege was abuse.

In 2014, Gothard resigned from IBLP in the wake of abuse allegations from more than 30 women. Two years later, 10 women filed a lawsuit against Gothard and IBLP, citing allegations of harassment, sexual abuse and cover-up. In 2018, the plaintiffs…