Founder of Gateway Church Accused of Blaming Victim in Alleged Sexual Abuse Case

In 1982, a 21-year-old pastor named Robert Morris, who would later establish Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, was accused of engaging in “inappropriate sexual behavior” with a 12-year-old girl named Cindy Clemishire. This incident occurred when Morris was staying at Clemishire’s parents’ home in Oklahoma.

According to Clemishire, Morris instructed her to visit him in his room before bedtime, and as a young and trusting individual, she followed his directive. It later emerged that this was not an isolated incident, with Clemishire alleging that Morris had repeatedly molested her during her childhood.

The Response

When Clemishire sought legal action against Morris 25 years later, his lawyer, J. Shelby Sharpe, shifted the blame onto Clemishire, claiming that it was she who initiated the inappropriate behavior. This response, documented in correspondence from 2007, raised significant controversy.

Ongoing Impact

This case has sparked conversations about the accountability of individuals in positions of authority and trust, particularly within religious communities. It has also raised awareness about the complexities of addressing historical allegations of abuse and the challenges faced by survivors in seeking justice.