The outcome of Killary’s case could affect Osbourne’s suit against these SBC entities. The amicus brief said that the SBC has “a strong interest in the statute-of-limitations issue” as it relates to “a separate civil action pending in a Kentucky circuit court that involves allegations of childhood sexual abuse dating back to 2003.”
The amicus acknowledged “the laudable policy reasons for providing relief for victims of childhood sexual abuse” but went on to argue that “not even the most sacrosanct policy can trump the clearly expressed legislative intent and fundamental due process concerns presented in this and similar cases.”
Following the revelation that counsel for SBC entities had argued against the legal interests of abuse survivors, survivor advocates Megan Lively, Jules Woodson, and Tiffany Thigpen released a joint statement denouncing the amicus.
“This joint statement is to alert all to the dastardly deeds of these and to the red flag of the monies being spent on legal fees to take such action as this Amicus Brief and the Oral arguments now being heard,” the statement said. “To absolutely stab survivors in the back. There are no mincing of words here. No holding back. This is disgusting.”
“We have repeatedly heard the continual cries of foul regarding the costs of the abuse reform and investigations of its own convention, yet these leaders and institutions are willing to pay high costs for the SBC legal firm to file such a brief,” the statement went on to say. “These high court costs should not be spent in defense mode against survivors in their communities. Against the only available hope for justice we have, judicially.”
The survivor advocates concluded their statement by accusing the amicus brief of being “a deliberate effort to silence the survivor voice and ensure the doors to our justice system are forever closed to those who have been victimized.”
Abuse survivor advocate Christa Brown likewise expressed outrage, saying in a social media post, “The reason the SBC filed this offensive amicus brief in KY (in a case in which they aren’t even a party) is because of the pending lawsuit of [Osborne]. HER voice matters A LOT here & should be elevated. It is HER courage & HER stamina that is bringing much to light.”
“The Southern Baptist Convention has done everything it can to get my lawsuit thrown out,” alleged Osborne in a post of her own, “including – intimidation methods, harassment of me and my friends, trying to have me committed so I can’t testify, and filing a brief in another suit they’re not party to.”
On Wednesday (Oct. 25), some of the members of the EC took to social media to clarify that they had no knowledge of the brief.
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Mike Keahbone, an Oklahoma pastor who serves on both the EC and the SBC’s Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF), posted, “As a believer, SBC pastor, EC member, and ARITF member I stand with survivors in denouncing this action. I, along with many, were not aware of this filing and I am livid that this step was taken. We will get to the bottom of this.”
