Jessa Duggar Seewald, Joy-Anna Duggar, Jill Duggar Dillard,
Jana Duggar, Jinger Duggar Vuolo
"CITY OF SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS; WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS; KATHY O'KELLEY, in her individual and official capacities; ERNEST CATE, in his individual and official capacities; RICK HOYT, in his individual and official capacities; STEVE ZEGA, in his official capacity; BAUER PUBLISHING COMPANY, L.P.; BAUER MAGAZINE, L.P.; BAUER MEDIA GROUP, INC.; BAUER, INC.; HEINRICH BAUER NORTH AMERICA, INC.; BAUER MEDIA GROUP USA, LLC; and DOES 1-10, inclusive."
The lawsuit claims that the defendants contributed to the allegedly unlawful release of information that led to the identification and exploitation of the plaintiffs as victims of child abuse. The four Duggar women state that the sole purpose of the lawsuit is to fight for the protection of juvenile victims of child abuse.
"We hope our lawsuit will send a clear message that releasing the names of juveniles is never okay."
-Jill Dillard
"This case is solely about protecting children who are victims of abuse. Revealing juvenile identities under these circumstances is unacceptable, and it’s against the law. The media and custodians of public records who let these children down must be held accountable. This case has vast implications for all our children. We hope that by bringing this case to the public’s attention, all children will be protected from reckless reporting."
-Jill Dillard, Jessa Seewald, Jinger Vuolo, and Joy Duggar
We know that the Duggars would appreciate prayers, especially that the goal of the lawsuit would be accomplished. Following the Biblical command to pray for those who mistreat you, we also encourage you to pray for the defendants.
To watch a news report and to read the statement released by the City of Springdale, visit NWA Homepage.
Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com
The information was released legally and names were redacted. The only reason anyone could find out the identities of the victims was because they're famous (per their choosing) and the public knows a lot about them (because of information they shared freely). I'm not saying that it wasn't a terrible thing that happened, opening up old wounds as it did, but no one acted unlawfully. And if their sole purpose is to protect victims of abuse, then they best be planning on donating the millions of dollars they are sueing for.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Any money awarded should be donated to this cause.
DeleteYup...they cant have it both ways! And...as Christian as the are I would have thought that Gods justice in his own time would have ruled over worldly justice....cake and eat it senerio!!!
DeleteThe orginal release did NOT have their names marked out. They went back later and did it.
DeleteAnon @ 1:41 I do not know where you got your information from but you are incorrect. The information was all checked and the girls names totally redacted before it was released. Jill and Jessa outed themselves on TV, people guessed Joy because of her age and Jinger has outed herself with this lawsuit as it was never confirmed or denied she was a victim. I also agree if they win any money it should be donated to charity.
DeleteAnon @ 1:05 PM, how do you know it was released legally. I would say it was released illegally. If it was legal, why isn't information like this being released every single day and destroying the identity of helpless victims everywhere. And because that isn't happening, I would say it was released illegally by these money hungry greedy people who were out to destroy the Duggar family.
Deletethey left the ages so it was not hard to determine who was the victim. By leaving the ages their identity was not redacted.
DeleteSo just because they are "famous" their privacy rights can be violated??? WOW I don't want to live in your world. :(
DeleteIf you follow the link above, then the link to the full lawsuit paperwork, you can see what exactly they are alleging. It's pretty informative, and I'm interested to hear how this turns out.
DeleteI don't think the girls outed themselves. Rather, they spoke out after names were published. What could they do but speak out. Yes they are famous. That still did not give anyone the right to release the names or identities. The story was released with one intent, to find ugly stories on the Duggars. Unfortunately, they were only thinking of the money and pulling out skeletons. They gave no thought to the victims and how they would feel to bring this all up again. Shame on all of them.
DeleteI question their real motives of this action. We will see if money awarded to them will be donated to the cause or kept for themselves. Actions speak louder than words. The Lord knows what is in the heart.
DeleteThe girls themselves revealed that they were the victims.
DeleteI agree. Plus, the sisters actually talked about the abuse on TV. By doing that, they confirmed that they were two of the victims. No one knew about Joy.
DeletePlus, when the news came out, two of the sisters were not minors. The third sister was not formerly identified, until NOW, by them.
They do not have a legal leg to stand on. They could very well find themselves having to pay the legal costs of the people they are suing.
It was highly illegal. Names were redacted, descriptions were not.
DeleteIt is illegal to publicise ANY information that can be used to identify a victim of sexual abuse or child abuse. They knowingly published it AND stressed that 4 of his sisters were HIS victims. Process of elimination when there was little doubt who the 4 girls were.
I hope they win the suit and it costs the media groups and public officials dearly. What they did to these girl was wrong.
What are you people talking about? They dont owe any settlement to anyone are you serious? You people are forgetting the real fact that these young women were children and victims! Something that is very traumatic and personal was placed in a public forum without their consent! They were essentially dorced to relive the trauma eveey time they turned on tv or wenr to groceey store ! No one had the right ro publicize suxh a trauma without their written consent! Society has lost their ability to empathoze. How dare you imply that they owe someone elae money! Their reputations their privacy their trauma and violation was placed in public for evweyone to judge! Fame did not entitle any of us to have thia information! I commend them for standing up fighting back so that pissibly the next time a minor has been violated on any level someone will think twice bedore releasing it! It was not a matter of public rwcord for a reason they were minors. Someone profited from their personal nightmare. Still today they are having ro explain and defend! Hats off to you ladies. Praying for you Gods in the details.
DeleteIf they win any money, it really would be up to them to decide how they use it. They can use it to buy bubble gum if they want. Unless the judge appoints one of you all to determine how THEY spend THEIR money!
DeleteIt wasn't legal, it was illegal. They was minors.
DeleteIf you read the full lawsuit you will see that a lot of the argument lies in the fact that you could identify Joy because of age and that you could make a pretty good guess of the others based on various other details. The law in Arkansas is that any information that allows you the figure out the victim's identities must be redacted. So, if you could guess even one of the victims from information in the report the law was broken.
DeleteI saw a copy of it online & the victims' names were NOT marked out. They went back & did it.
DeleteCompletely agree. Heck, I didn't even know Joy and Jinger were the other two sister-victims of Josh's until this need came out. And considering he molested five girls and we still don't know who fifth, non-family member is, further proves the point that the state did not release the names. If I remember correctly, and I do admit I might be incorrect in this since it was two years ago, the only reason we knew it was Jill or Jessa is because they decided to come forward as two of the victims to help defend why they felt their brother had paid for what he did and should be forgiven.
DeleteAlso, while I do agree with the Duggar girls that this coming out in the news a couple of years ago was probably retraumatising, I fail to see how that is the state's fault. Especially since the state did not release the names.
All you people above sound suspiciously like friends or cohorts of the parties being sued, same mind set. Everyone knows they did this out of greed, certainly against Jesus teachings and He has a way of holding us accountable..
DeleteThe names were redacted from the released reports. Jinger was never identified until they filed this suit. Joy was identified because she was the only very young sister born at the time and the report referenced a female child under a certain age, which could only have been Joy. Jill and Jessa identified themselves with their try-to-save-our-show interview. Why say you know something when you're wrong and clearly don't?
DeleteWasn't Josh underage when he did this? If so wouldn't that be enough to keep ALL the names sealed?
DeleteTheir brother and parents are the ones they should sue!
DeleteNo this was illegal read the laws they should not have released Josh name either. He was a minor at the time. This as just t9 get even with people who did not believe true way that the duggars due. Yes they not have put out the names but they have joshes name and the ages of the girls. So anybody with half. A brain could figure out who. Josh has every right to join his sister or get his own lawsuit go in. Have you not notice that when a kid under 18 gets in trouble they due it realise their name or show pictures for this reason. When an adult like a parent does these this they will sometimes give the parents name to protect the child or ages
DeleteNope. I read the orginal release. Names were shown. About a couple hours later I went back and they were marked out.
DeleteAnon @ 9:58 I live in a different country so am not a 'cohort' or 'friend' of anyone being sued. They only interest I have in this is as a person who used to watch this show and have been shocked by everything that has come out over the past couple of years. The people you refer to in such an unchristian tone were only doung their jobs as laid down in the law. Do you know them personally to know they released these details out of greed? You need to be careful making false accusations and calling peoples honesty into question unless you are sure of the facts also.
DeleteThe names of minor children should NEVER be released to the public, in a case such as theirs. How can anyone be so cruel to believe otherwise! Look at the grief it has caused this family! I pray that they win this lawsuit, and that it won't happen again to someone else.
DeleteWhile I feel sad and sorry for the girls for the terrible ordeal they went through I feel this is a wrong decision on their part. The fault for this lies totally with their parents who did not take the correct steps to protect them and report it when it happened, if they had none of this would have happened, instead they were trying to protect Josh. Jill and Jessa outed themselves to Megan Kelly and said they wern't victims and Josh was just a curious boy. Finally where is the christian forgivness in all of this? We constantly hear this from fans in relation to Josh, so should the girls not just say we were very hurt but have prayed and forgiven those who have hurt us? They fogave their brother for much worse.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. This is where forgiveness and turning the other cheek comes in. That does not condone the action but it does show Christian love.
DeleteI love this family but the names were not released. The girls themselves went on TV and revealed that they were the ones that were molested. They didn't even know abt it. Their parents told them about it. They were asleep.
DeleteIt was wrong and illegal period. Does matter famous or not the information should of been never released.
DeleteThey need to do this because it wasn't right that they illegally released their names because they was minors at the time. It really opens up your eyes that this can happen to all victims.
DeleteI agree too. Unfortunately, I'm afraid this lawsuit will just stir up more fodder for gossip. :( I'm so sorry for it all.
DeleteThey tried to protect all their kids the best way they knew how but they made a mistake. And you are twisting their words around and you probably agreed with yourself in the comment below. The only truth to your comment is that they did forgave their brother and that would be a hard thing to do for any Christian. But no matter what, it's not the parents, the girls or joshs fault that the girl's names was leaked. That should had never happened because they was minors.
DeleteAbsolutely not, people still have to be held accountable for the wrong that they do. That is not what that Bible verse meant. You may want yo ask a pastor.
DeleteI agree with you 100%! Bad idea on the girls part. Sadly 😕
DeleteYou have the wrong picture of who God really is. He is all about justice. He speaks of not suing a brother (fellow believer) but calls on the justice in each land to be given for each offence. He is a righteous God who will deliver punishment accordingly. Read the WHOLE bible. Not just the feel good parts, otherwise you will be shocked come the day of judgment. Read Hebrews 10:26-41
DeleteAm I the only one who noticed when Megyn Kelly outed their little sisters? She asked something along the lines of "Do you feel like you're speaking on behalf of your other sisters two-YOUR YOUNGER SISTERS?" Still,I hope they decide to drop this ridiculous case!!!
DeleteRidiculous case? Do you have one ounce of empathy? I hope they win, or settle out of court. And do what ever they feel is proper with any of the retribution.
DeleteI understand their wanting to file as it was a huge violation of their privacy. However, the Bible does tell us not to sue one another. We can not follow just the biblical reachings that what we want but all of them.
ReplyDeletewe're to follow God's laws but also follow the laws of the land. This is not a money grab, this is a point they're trying to make; they're saying "Never is it cool to reveal a Minor's identity in a case like this. Not only does it bring up old wounds but it also creates new wounds. Josh, even though he wasn't held accountable by man's laws, he IS accountable to GOD's laws AND whether or not he got what he deserved is not the point here, the point is, Josh Duggar might as well have his crime stamped on his forehead, he is forever marked as a pedophile by world standards.
DeleteNo minor's identity was revealed. Only the names and addresses of the adults in that report were able to be seen. Because of the family's fame, and because they went on TV to talk about it, the rest could be figured out. But the police dept. did everything they normally do with reports like this, and they did not reveal minors' names or break any law. I hope this lawsuit is thrown out of court as having no basis.
DeleteStroreytwin- How do you know if they are Christians or not? And why does it matter? The family is all about forgiveness. I guess it's only when it's a family member.
DeleteChurch and state are completely separate! The Bible has nothing to do with the court and legal system. What they went through was beyond horrible and they deserve justice. Their names never should have been made public! They are well within their rights to sue and they should sue Josh as well while they are at it.
DeleteThat is correct, Storeytwin A.
DeleteThey have every right and it's not against God. They was minors back then and their names should had never been released.
DeleteClearly you've never read the Bible before
DeleteSueing others is not the law of the land. Its done to make a point when there isn't any legal basis for a criminal trial. Upholding the law of the land would be to bring criminal charges for an actual crime which is not the situation here.
DeleteYou are a bible-twister 1:20 and that person had no right to release the girls names because they was minors. Are you sticking up for that person who did that? Do you support releasing any minor-victim names in the system?
DeleteAnd the person who released their names, they wronged Christian girls who was minors at the time? Wow. You are actually defending the person that did this to those girls. You are sick!
DeleteThe government is not the church, and they broke the law. The government did deal with the lawbreakers and now have a severe legal liability and a breach of their legal responsibilities and breaking of the law. I hope they win big and the government EE's get criminal penalties.
DeleteI love when Christians quote Bible but take it out of context.
DeleteIt states not to sue a BROTHER. These news hogs are not BROTHERS.
What they did, regardless how famous the Dugger girls were, is nothing less than having no regard to laws about keeping the names of minors out of the public eye.
Those laws were broken, and in doing so, they must be held accountable for that.
Being a Christian does not mean you are to be used as a doormat. We pray for those that dispitfully use us, but we are instructed to follow the laws of the land. If we let people step all over Christians we are making a mockery of Christ. When Christ was asked "who are you" he replied, "who do YOU say I am" In your way of thinking, Christ should have answered right away and not been a smart alec.
I do hope they give any monies to a rape crises center.
As a victim of a violet rape, my heart goes out to these girls. I had a T.V show broadcast my rape for all to see without my consent. They did not give my name as one of the rapists victims, but people I worked with, that knew me soon figured it out by the timeline, my injuries etc.
My heart goes out to the Dugger girls and the shame their children will endure in years to come because someone took it upon their selves to shame a Christian family.
GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED. GOD HELP THOSE WHO RELEASED THE INFORMATION
@anon 3:39 I am so sorry to hear what happened to you. Did your abuser get punished? I hope so. Justice needs to be served! Unfortunately the duggar girls, thier abuser received NO punishment bc the laws were not followed!! Justice was never given to the victims in this scenario. Instead the girls had to LIVE with thier abusers every single day.
DeleteWell said 3:39. My heart goes out to you news for sensationalism should not be tolerated and especially when it is breaking the law. Shame on those who did this to you and to the Duggar girls, God will hold them responsible and I hope they truly understand what that means. If they were christian they would.
DeleteI hope you win. I was wondering if and when this was going to happen and I for one am glad y'all are standing up against these people who did this.
ReplyDeleteI hope they lose, because I would like to think our police system and our justice system are working properly and in accordance with the laws of the states.
Delete1:41 take the blinders off, if this case they they put themselves above the law. Not just hoping the Duggars win, praying they do so this doesn't happen to anyone else, maybe even you!
DeleteThank you. It is time people stand up for justice for all. This was so wrong on so many levels. I'm praying and supporting you all the way on this lawsuit.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteGo for it ladies...and good luck.
ReplyDeleteSharon frm SC
So happy you are taking this brave step. At the time all of this happened I felt there was a breach in the confidentiality laws. God go before you and prepare the path for justice.
ReplyDeleteWell I can't say I blame them but why now. The timing seems odd to me.
ReplyDeleteJust as Joy is married off. Now all of the victims are married, and they're suing. Very odd, indeed.
DeleteAnon @ 1:34 I agree with you the timing is very odd. Why did they not do this when it all happened, why wait over two years, very strange but I am sure all will become clear at a later date.
Deletemaybe its because they have children of their own and they realize all minors should be protected unless tried as an adult.
DeleteJosh is due in court next week or the week after. Something to do with that?
DeleteIt's not odd at all. The courts are over worked and it's hard to get a hearing at all anymore. They have every right to do this as well because they was minors back then. It's distressing that this can happen to any victims. The person that released this information is disgusting.
DeleteCourt is not easy these days. And the only thing that is odd is the fact that you have two comments under here that was posted 13&14 minutes from yours. And the 1:47 & 1:48 is a odd coincidence to be posting so closely together when the creator of this blog has it set up to where the comments take a while to show up.....
DeleteThey may feel strong enough now. They have most likely gone through counselling.
DeleteThe timing may be weird....but think about it for a minute. ALL the women will be married and OUT from under their parents house. The money (if not donating it...which I think they should) will NOT be ruled by their parents. It will be 100% their money. That is why they waited 2 years to file. The last woman needed to be engaged for them to have (what i think was planned when it all happened) put into play. Just what came to mind when reading this. ~~G~~
DeleteIsn't there a statute of limitations on how long they have to sue anyone? I would think there would be.
DeleteGetting paperwork together to prove a case takes YEARS! I know, been there, done that.
DeleteThe better the evidence, the more likely a win in court.
If I remember right they have been talking about it for a while but had to find out exactly who all was involved in releasing the information.. I do however agree any money received should go toward an organization that will protect minors from having their name released.. it does in fact open old wounds and does nothing but harm those involved all over again.. the victims become victims again...
DeleteIt's not odd! Things like this take time.
DeletePretty sure they wanted to wait till the girls were all married so as not to have them lose a potential husband because of it
DeleteThanks for your clarification 3:41. Hope all those comments before yours read this and understand.
DeleteGood for them. They were put through a terrible spotlight by this information getting out. That information should never have been released to the drama greedy media.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 1:05PM- those girls did not choose to become famous, their parents did. Is horrid for them that people know. There are culpable people here (mainly JB & Michelle) but not the victims!
ReplyDeleteI partly agree with you, the parents went ahead with a TV show knowing what was going on in their family. The children as you say had no choice and became used to the better lifestyle, fame and money brought. However they have continued on with this, when 19 kids got cancelled they could have moved on with their lives but they didn't they got a new show. They didn't do anything wrong and can hold their heads up high, but they should be suing their brother for hurting them and their parents for not protecting them.
DeletePerhaps. But with the exception of Joy, they are well into adulthood and have chosen to keep themselves in the spotlight.
DeletePerhaps. But with the exception of Joy, they are well into adulthood and have chosen to keep themselves in the spotlight.
DeleteBut the girls aren't complaining about being famous and they have their own show now.
DeleteGood. The original release did NOT have the girls' names marked out. When people complained they went back and changed it but originally it named them. A juvenile abuse victim should never be named.
ReplyDeletewhile they are juvenile. Only Joy was under 18 when the news came out.
DeleteThis is incorrect. The original report did indeed have the names blacked out. Up until this lawsuit came out, nobody knew for sure whether the 4th victim was Jinger or Jana. Most people guessed Jinger just because she was younger but nobody knew for sure.
DeleteHow do you know that the people that are named in the suit are not christians? The Bible also says we are to abide by the laws of the land, and these records were released legally so they should not be suing. You can't just take the parts of the Bible you like and use them when they fit a particular situation, they forgave their brother, they should show forgivness in this situation too
ReplyDeleteYou are so right.
DeleteThey was not released legally because the girls was minors then. Don't twist the bible wording.
DeleteAgree. We can not pick and choose when it suits us.
DeleteYeah but what happens when the laws of the land are doing wrong? You follow God's word, the men that have torn our land apart.
DeleteThey were not released legally! Go back & look at it. It was all while they were all under age & it was sealed. It should never have been unsealed.
DeleteThose records were SEALED abd were released ILLEGALLY
DeleteLots of people call themselves christian but don't act like one, therefore they are not. To forgive doesn't mean to let the guilty party continue doing the things they are doing to hurt others. That is what was stated here the goal is to make these people accountable so it doesn't happen to others. You also can't take just any part of the bible and make it fit your opinion, read what Jesus says about children and our responsibility to them.
Delete@ anon 9:50
DeleteI compleatly agree that to forgive doesn't mean to let the guilty party continue doing wrong!!! With that said how do you think the girls must have felt living with and eating breakfast with thier abuser for 16 months before he left to go build a few houses?? 🤔
So they aren't christians bc they did something wrong?maybe Josh isn't a Christian either
DeleteAnon @9:50 so if you follow your line of thinking the sisters forgave Josh so should he not face justice too? Many here regulary misquote, misuse and take out of context many verses from the bible. Many here call themselves christians but say the most terrible things and certainly do not behave in a loving christian manner.
DeleteThey were juveniles, and it should have never been release, no matter who you are. Praying for everybody involve. Jane
ReplyDeleteI agree. These girls are the victims and people, from day one, have treated them more poorly than their molestor. It sickens me and I hope they win.
Deletejuvenile identities and confidentiality laws without shadow of any dought was voilated in the wrost way possible by greedy media. these young ladies did not ask to have their own names dragged threw the mudd hope their law suit will win make it an pos. note that identification and exploitation of any child of rape and molestion can not ever be exposed to the public after years later as become adults themself.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100 percent!!
Deleteshadow of a doubt
Deletedragged through
cannot
themselves Misspelled words drive me crazy!
There definitely is doubt about whether or not confidentiality laws were broken. Wait to pass judgement until you hear the police department's side in court.
DeleteI agree entirely with this, children have to be protected, it should never ever be alright to release names of victims to be victimized again....for any official to release this information for any publisher to use this information is not only despicable it is illegal and therefore should be punished...this stands aside from whether or not someone is well known or not...there are athletes who have come forward of THEIR OWN accord, that is the difference; these girls had no choice but to face something out of their past, that had been dealt with by them, again.
ReplyDeleteAs for them using only parts of the Bible, READ your Bible with Knowledge, Wisdom and under the guidance of Holy Spirit, there are quite a few passages which deal with retribution and justice. Jesus tells us to forgive, yet, that doesn't mean there is no recourse for a victim, it doesn't mean a Christian never allows the law to be enforced....it means I free myself from holding on to unforgiveness, it is for me that I forgive, not for those that might have wronged me...they have my forgiveness but still have to deal with their part, repentance and justice and the forgiveness of Jesus which I cannot give them they have to ask Jesus for it
What happened was not illegal. That is why they are only sueing and not bringing a criminal case against these people and media outlets.
DeleteLike!
DeleteI agree it was a lousy thing but it was not illegal and no crime was committed. If there was a crime commited, this would be a criminal case being brought to trial and the perpetrators would be tried for the crime. Sueing is a civil action not a criminal action. It has nothing to do with upholding laws. It is recourse when there isn't any basis for a criminal trial.
DeleteExactly right, able May 20, 2017 at 2:03 PM.
DeleteYes, children should absolutely be protected. However, the release of the information isn't illegal. FOIA is both legal and needed. True, it's unfortunate that it brought up speculation of which of the girls were listed, but point of fact, the Duggar family are the ones that confirmed Joy and Jinger were the other two girls, when they had the records destroyed because of a minor, and then with this lawsuit.
DeleteA better course of action to protect children that I've seen suggested would be to champion stricter laws regarding obscuring identifying information of children in similar documents. This course of action would get their stated objective better than a lawsuit. Otherwise, it looks more like they're in it for the money. Which, depending on the lawsuit protections the city has, and if the Duggars win the case, might take money from valued programs that need the money much more than the Duggars.
I'm not sure how "stricter" the law could get without breaking the one that allows release of public police records of an adult.
DeleteHow about they campaign to have the statute of limitations extended or removed. Many people who are abused do not feel able to come forward for many years and often can't because the statute of limitations has passed. It is never too late to seek and get justice. Yes Louisa at this moment in time it looks like a money grab, it will be interesting to see what they do with the money they are awarded if they win. Actions do indeed speak louder than words.
DeleteI'm a little disappointed in the duggars. What about forgiveness?What about God's justice in his own time? I have heard where people have forgiven other peope for murdering a love one. I thought the Duggars would have forgiven. I haven't heard on the news of any other juveniles being named in other cases. This was done because they were famous....and even though that is wrong, where is the forgiveness? I hope that if any money is awarded them that they put it towards charity and not just the Dilliards missionary fund.
ReplyDeleteI stand with these women and pray that the goal of their law suit is accomplished. I think this is the right step for the Duggars in taking action for juveniles that have been abused.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the Duggar girls. I stand with them on this issue and think they have taken the right steps to help our children.
ReplyDeleteGood for them and I wish them much success.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is "You go girls"!! Having this information released is wrong on so many levels. We have to protect our children. Even though this is approx. 2 yrs later, gathering info prior to actually filing can take some time. God Bless you all.
ReplyDeleteLove from MN
I'm confused. Their identities were redacted from the records, as per the law. The girls need to focus on changing the laws, if this is important to them.
ReplyDeleteI'm of the opinion that the privacy of minor children should be protected, especially when it comes to matters involving child protection services. Sprindale authorities dropped the ball. However, there's enough blame to go around in this situation. JB and Michelle pretty much cast the privacy of their children aside when they signed on to a TV reality show. They went ahead with this venture after they became aware of their son's problems and it was an unnamed source who contacted Oprah Winfrey's staff about Josh prior to a Duggar guest appearance. That visit was cancelled by Harpo Studios. The cat was already out of the bag, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteIf the adult Duggar children have any common sense at all, they will put an end to their relationship with the media and seek privacy for the next generation. If they win this lawsuit, I hope they do the right thing and donate the money to worthy causes dealing with child abuse and sexual molestation.
YEEESSSS! So happy! I hope to god finally there will be justice! That woman should be in prison and In Touch is just disgusting! The whole thing was just so wrong. I feel so bad for all of the Duggars! They are amazing people who have done so much for others and never deserved this! I hope they all have to pay for what they've done to them. I hope In Touch has to pay millions to them. I can't believe the way this whole family has been attacked. It makes me so sad! Those people have no clue what they are even talking about. GO DUGGARS! LOVE YOU!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Josh will be asked to take the stand in this. This was done legally an ultimately it will bring negativity on themselves. I see this as their parents trying to stay in the public eye and not a Christian thing to do shame on them all.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Duggar Girls. I think people/media took advantage of an already dramatic situation, to spread gossip and line their pockets. I pray God has His hand on this and that His will be done in the outcome.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that girls names were ever mentioned in the beginning. Being on TV and giving interviews made everyone come to conclusions. Was Jana involved or was she too old to be compliant? I honestly think it just be dropped. Bringing this out in the open again, only makes it hurtful again. What do they hope to gain by this. Sure doesn't seem they have a case since I don't think that their names were made available before TV made people realize who they were.
ReplyDeleteFirst, if laws were broken, then they need to be held accountable. Period. I don't care if they are famous or not, rich or poor, atheist or Christian or whatever. If no laws broken, then fine, if so, then they should be compensated. Who are any of you to say what they should do with their money, IF awarded. I'm sorry, do you pay their bulls,! Do you allow others to tell you what you should and should not do with your money?! Anyone who is victim of sexual abuse esp children don't need your comments to undermine their team and validity. Some nerve!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's long overdue. I saw the report and the names were there.
ReplyDeletewhy did they wait so long?
ReplyDeleteWow! I just read their statement and cannot believe they are trying to turn their city on the Duggars saying its a shame they are going after their tax dollars! It was wrong period! They were minors! They were to be sealed. The Duggars win this case period! It is against the law what they did. Pretty sicvk of them too!
ReplyDeleteThe medio will learn to respect peoples privacy !!!!!! Go Girls
ReplyDeleteThat is kind of a weird picture with four circles behind them.
ReplyDeletewhen it said minor children living in the home, anyone can figure that out. this report should have never been released
ReplyDeleteAll juvenille cases are sealed. All involved at the time were juveniles. Relasing it in any way is unlawful. Not to mention how inapropriate it is. This was intended as an attack on a Christian family for the sole purpose of damaging them. Disgraceful!
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for them. I wish this wasn't happening now though. It's bringing up old wounds and nothing can be accomplished by doing that.
ReplyDeleteAll of you who are saying they should donate any monetary award they receive are being ridiculous! They were harmed by that story coming out and their names at some point were given. I'm sure they didn't want what happened to them out in the open. I too was abused by my brother much worse than what was done to them and I would never want it to be spread all over the news! They handled it as a family and the girls had moved on from it already. What Josh did was wrong but he was not an adult either when this happened. Do we all want all of our childhood sins thrown in our faces when we are adults? I wouldn't! Also it was illegal for this to be reported because ALL of them were minors and juvenile records are supposed to be sealed even to law enforcement!
ReplyDeleteThe facts are it was released legally and the duggars were informed before it was released of what was happening. The names were redacted. The timing is off, they knew before it was being released but did nothing tip before joys wedding? Why wait this long
ReplyDeleteIt was legal under the freedom information act and names were redacted. The city had no choice to release once a request is made and those involved (duggars) are legally told before its released. If you going to sue don't wait two years. Makes no sense
ReplyDeleteGood for the Duggar girls! I hope they win BIG. Media - and those who help them by adding their lies and hatred - have got to be stopped. There must be consequences for anyone who purposefully tries to destroy someone. Fame has nothing to do with it. Just because someone is famous does not mean it is ok to expose, spread lies or try to harm them in any way. The only way this will stop is if good people stand up and stop it. Anytime you stand up and fight, it is not just for you, but for others as well. There is power in numbers. Sometimes, others are not strong enough to stand on their own. However, if someone stands with them - or has fought the fight before them - it adds strength and courage. Also, I hope the Duggars do not feel obligated to give the money away. Suggestions to give all of the money to charity is coming from people who also don't want the Duggars to succeed. What they do with the money is their decision and nobody else's business. Praying for the Duggars as they stand up for what is right.
ReplyDeleteWasn't Josh made to stand publicly in church, confessing what he did? Weren't we told that during the Fox interview? Yet now the sisters are claiming that In Touch and the police department "outed" them unfairly? Weren't they already outed by Josh admitting to a room full of people what he did and who he did it to?
ReplyDeleteI think they are wanting laws changed for stricter laws for Victims privacy. No matter who they are!'
ReplyDeletei am glad for the girls sueing its not ok for the press to exploit children of molestion or rape.... I dont care who you are they needed to be protected...
ReplyDeleteas for the timing it may have been for the fact they were looking for a good Lawyer or making sure they had all the information together of the names of the companys and its parent companys.. I think they were researching the case before filing to make sure they could the best possible outcome.. I agree they should give a good portion of the money to help the abuse of children or even start there own charity to help children that the press has exploited
Good for them to go after the media for causing the hurt to go as far as it did. I wish them the best of luck in court and hope they win.
ReplyDeleteGood, will keep them in prayer.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
ReplyDeleteWe can all debate back and forth about if names were marked out or not. We can debate why or what made them famous. But I assure that those attorneys they have crossed their "t's" and dotted their "i's" before this suit was filed.
ReplyDeleteThey waited the maximum time to file and despite people involved lost Jobs I do hope the suit protects other victims privacy.
ReplyDeleteI also hope they don't the proceeds to help other children and provide a grant that helps parents in their legal process.
Often you rely on prosecution to protect and it's failure causes
More scar's. It can also cause others to be hurt or loss of life.
If they keep the proceeds and don't help others I will be sincerely disappointed.
People made too big of a time about this. If this had happened to ordinary people you probably wouldn't of heard about it. But because they are on tv everyone had something to say about it. Everybody makes mistakes, sometimes more than once, even Christian's. All have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. None of us are perfect. The only person that walked this earth that was perfect was Jesus Christ. I'm a christian and I make mistakes all the time. But we have to go to God and ask him for forgiveness with an honest heart and ask Him to help us so we don't make the same mistakes again. But sometimes we do. God tells us in the bible to forgive our brother 70x7 and that is just in one day. Imagine how ma ny times He forgives us? Leave these people alone. They have never done anything to you they are good people. But just like you they are human and will make mistakes.
ReplyDeleteLove & prayers
Karla
Where was Joshs repentance and justice in all of this? He has never publically spoken out or said he is sorry to his victims, not once. The parents allowed two of their daughters to go on national television and defend the person who abused them, who does that, I certainly wouldn't? I am also not convinced that the girls have truely put this behind them as they say they have, or that they have totally forgiven Josh. When this all happened the Duggars should have done what Brenda Willis has done, get their family out of the spotlight and off social media, allow the family to heal in private. I am afraid fame and money have become too important to this family.
ReplyDeleteGo far it girls...that's why girls don't report it.
ReplyDeleteThe people responsible for this becoming public are Jim Bob and Michelle. They should have not put themselves and their children on TV with this hanging over their family. You cannot invite a TV crew into your homes and expect privacy. They are now public figures and public figures are open to this. The girls should sue their parents for makibg theie lives public so soon after these crimes happened.
ReplyDeleteGood for them.
ReplyDeleteWow, I can not believe - which I'm pretty sure it's the same person - commenting under this saying that the record was released legally when clearly there's no way it was because the women was minors at the time. If you believe that this was done legally, you are as twisted as the person who released the girls names. You need help!
ReplyDeleteJessa and Jill "outed" them selves when they agreed to the TV interview with Megyn Kelly. Jinger and Joy outed themselves by filing this lawsuit.
ReplyDeleteWhat "should happen" and what the law is are two separate things. They need to focus on changing the law.
It is also true that Josh was also a minor st the time. And that a judge said after the fact that those records should never have been released. It was not a legal release of information by any definition. Praying for all involved.
ReplyDeletePraying for you girls as you go through this process. As a child abuse survivor, I agree 100% with what you are doing. I am a Christian and while I do believe in forgiveness, I also believe in justice and holding others responsible for their actions. Sending prayers!
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right! There was no reason for this release except spite or self glorification. It is gossip to speculate on timing and it is no ones right to say what is done with any awarded money. To blame the parents is just mean! These are humble loving Christian people. Doing their best with whats dealt them which is all any of us flawed humans can do. God bless them in all going forth and I for one am very thankful for the witness of wholesome values being played out for others to see.
ReplyDeleteHope they win. I would not like this if this was my girls and the report was released. In all court documents that I've ever read that had redaction, it was impossible to know exactly what was redacted. In the Duggar report that was released, it was very easy to infer who it was talking about. Not right at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm with them on this one.
ReplyDeleteI think the Duggars are going to have a fight in their hands over this as The Freedom of Information act was followed. JIm Bob was the one who blew the whistle on JoyAnna as he said that one of the girls was still a minor when the documents were released . This whole saga is a messy business and should have been dealt with when it happened by the parents. The problem with reality tv? People will start looking for dirt and they sure found it here.
ReplyDeleteLet's remember that the Duggars are couragious for taking on the corrupt media for wanting to prevent this from happening to others. They were ALL juveniles and should have all been protected, even Josh. Unfortunately, it takes someone standing up to wrong doing, to make things change for others in the future. Praise God that they are brave enough to face this 'Goliath' at all costs. I am confident that the Lord will use this situation in Josh's life as well - that he will be able to reach other young men who are in the same situation that he was as a youth or are contimplating giving in to the temptations that are ever before the youth of today. We are commanded to forgive but we must also do what we can to protect others from becoming exploited at someone elses expense. Unfortunately, a lawsuit it what it takes to assure that this won't happen to someone else in the future. The Duggers have made it clear that they are doing this to prevent it from happening to others. Put yourself in their shoes. They are doing the right thing and God has given them a platform to help protect others... maybe your kids or grandchildren. God has promised to work ALL things together for good. He WILL work this for good!
ReplyDeleteThe names should have be release. I hope the Duggar girls lose. The media has every right to known what Josh did to them.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter if it were legal or not. It just hurt them all over again so they could punish them. And for what? Because their parents made them reality show stars? Shame on you guys for acting like this is some Christian money conspiracy. I hope your CHILDREN never get molested and then have the media tell the whole world. They were victimized almost as much by the ones who outed the story as they were their brother. I say they should get as much as they can and so would any of you, so don't be so righteous. Go look in your own mirror before judging other people.
ReplyDeleteThey are not going to win the lawsuit because the names of the minor sisters of Josh were redacted and Josh was an adult at the time of the police investigation.
ReplyDeleteI can't get UP TV but if TLC drops counting on because of this, it may be time to move to Up TV. We can't get UP TV but we sure might consider dropping our cable to getting another provider that does carry UP TV.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they are taking this stand and pray for favor for them. Hopefully it will benefit future juvenile victims.
ReplyDeletePrayers for the family love you guys
ReplyDeleteI understand the girls reasoning but why didn't they have to sue. They all make plenty of money through the show I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI love the Duggars but I dont like the fact that there suing to make a point..
I heard quite a few people say the original documents didn't have the names redacted. Does anyone have proof of this? You took a picture, etc? Or was it, you heard the original was redacted?
ReplyDeleteI also think the timing of this is odd. And if the girls do win as it is a 10-15 million dollar suit, I hope they donate it to an abuse organization to help others.
Be strong Duggar girls! Proud of you for taking a stand. Just because you're Christians doesn't mean you can't take a stand for justice for victims of sexual abuse. God often uses people to accomplish his purposes and thank you for stepping up. Prayers you are successful and use any monetary compensation as you see fit. Have courage!
ReplyDeleteI think its great that they are worried about other people like them, but I think they've just dug ditch for themselves. This will make everyone think there hard after money.
ReplyDeleteI wish they would've started a campaign or something not sue 😕
You guys did not deserve what they put you through. Just because you are on television, does not give anyone the right to your confidential legal reports. This is your protected right as a US citizen. You were ALL minors at the time of occurrence. They failed all of you miserably. I sure do hope you win. Maybe they will rethink releasing a minor's legal report next time. Regardless if everyone knows your name. You guys are human too. That situation had to have taken a major toll on you all. Heartbreaking to have to see you guys go through that and talk about it. Especially when you were all just children and having to relive something you already dealt with, is absolutely ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI say it's no one's business what they do, you say you think it's wrong to file a lawsuit well it didn't happen to you, you go girls!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love all these experts who seem to know every little thing? Besides, it's none yo business. It's their life, their decision.
ReplyDeleteI'm not wanting to cause drama I'm just curious why Jana isn't included in the suit? I think it's a little to coincidental that only the married/VERY soon to be married daughters are filing the suit.
ReplyDeleteThe parents did report it to the police at the time asking them for guidance on what to do.
ReplyDeleteLet's not blame the parents but the system that has let them down and of course the son who betrayed their trust not once but twice and is now raising two girls
Christians are allowed to sue, prove a point and keep any monies awarded! Ridiculous to say they can't or yo turn the other cheek! If you don't know the truth behind scripture don't quote it! You look silly! Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteMotivation for releasing the names/situation seems very political, but we may never really know. That said, there are a lot of people commenting who seem to know more than the average person, which leads me to believe that they are either one of the defendants named in the lawsuit, or are in collusion with the defendants. Or, they are speculating on something they truly know NOTHING about and should just give the victims of the abuse the benefit of the doubt and treat the with the dignity, respect, and discretion they deserve...
ReplyDeleteThe motivation for releasing the report was the FOIA request that was filed. The names were never released. Each victim has identified themselves publicly.
DeletePeople know about this case because lets face it it was hard to miss at the time. Many have read the police report, watched the Kelly interview and there was another attempt to sue almost two years ago, which failed. You are making it sound like a conspiracy theory, but its just the interested public. I also do not think that a TV reallity show family poses any real threat to anyone to warrant a conspiracy theory. If the Duggars want to be treated with discretion tbey should start acting with some and stay off TV and social media, at least while this all plays out, but I can't see that happening.
DeleteI hope they rethink this and change their mind. Lily and Ellie, what's your opinion?
ReplyDeleteGood for them!! It was not okay for those ppl to release that information about them, I can only imagine how mortifying that felt. For everyone to find out what happened to them was embarrassing, even though it wasn't their fault it happened. I hope they win the lawsuit!!
ReplyDeleteHello there everyone I hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday. There are a couple of view points I would like to address. In doing so I respectfully ask that people consider my input as only input and not a hate comment against the duggar family or the victims.
DeleteI am not sure that the victims will necessarily win their lawsuit. The reason why I view the case this way is because certain legal protections for juveniles are not the same that the law provides for adults. For one consideration is that when the parents were dealing with Josh as a minor that the crime was never reported to law enforcement in a conventional way. If that is truly the case the victims of the crime could not necessarily be protected. In other words how do you protect someone from something that did not necessarily happen? Now before someone gets upset this is based only on information that I (like most of you have heard) not necessarily fact. Facts will have to be proven in court.
If they do win this lawsuit it may inpart be and due to their celebrity status. Unfortunately law my friends is not black and white. I also hope that if these victims win their lawsuit that they do three specific things in life....
1. Actually receive counseling from someone who is a college graduate and separate from any religious entity.
2. Engage in a healing opportunity to reach out to other victims ( again regardless of a religious affiliation).
3. Donate all monies to those less fortunate.
While as a parent I believe that this was a no win situation for the parents. However, as unpopular as this may sound, I ultimately hold the parents and josh responsible for this crime. If the parents had less children and less of a division of their attention, then maybe they could have protected their daughters and they may have had more clarity to see that Josh needed some kind of counseling or intervention.
Finally, I am a mom and I do not want or mean to have a judgemental attitude. However, situations like this is one reason my husband and I chose to have two children. It is so they could receive the attention that they deserve. Again this is my opinion and my credentials include a masters degree in criminal law. Take care everyone.
I find it amazing how many people that don't know the Duggars, weren't there, don't know anything, have no facts, are commenting anonymously seem to think it's okay to write here like you know anything and judge what they are doing. It's not right and maybe you all should just move on.
ReplyDeleteEven if the names weren't released, didn't they release that 4/5 victims were his sisters? That's basically the same as releasing their names.
ReplyDeleteThey were done wrong and it's because they were Christians and a decent family. Yes Josh was wrong but it was wrong to put out the names of his minor sisters. They are not doing this for money or fame (they have that and in s good way) they are doing it to protect other children to not have to be an adult and have it all thrown back in their face. So go digger girls. I support you 100% let God prevail
ReplyDeleteWhile I think it was perfectly legal for the city to release these documents, I do think it's horrible for the victims who have to not only relieve the trauma of being molested by their own brother (which incidentally was left out of this article when Josh molesting them is the whole reason this whole thing exists in the first place) but also have everyone knowing it happened.
ReplyDeleteVictims should be protected. Unfortunately, in this case, no one was protecting the victims. Not the authorities, not the money hungry media and most of all, not their families.
Hopefully, Jill, Jesse, Jinger and Joy are able to find some peace in the midst of all this.
Though the biggest evil in this whole horrible story remains the girl's attacker, their brother Josh.
Good! They are being very brace putting themselves out there to protect other children, less people report when they think it will not be private, they are being great advocates for victims rights!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see this lawsuit. They illegally gave out this information. Since Josh was a minor it was not to be released and I wonder why Josh isn't suing also. Wasn't the file supposed to have been destroyed prior to its release? This is what I read. I lived in Springdale in 2014 and 15 and I wish I could sue Springdale for being a sanctuary city. The illegal aliens terrorized me the entire time I lived there and shortly after I moved out the Mexican gang murders started to happen.
ReplyDeleteI hope they win. Famous or not, it doesn'the others the right to break the law. As far as any money goes....it's up to them what they do with it. Whether they donate it or keep it is their business.
ReplyDeleteCan't help but think about how the Duggar's were doing tv specials and things at this time. I can't believe they would have cameras into their home while something like this was going on. Just seems like they had enough to deal with that they wouldn't need the headaches of cameras and people to add to the stress. But I am glad that the people who outed them are going to be held accountable.
ReplyDelete(pamC,Florida) I agree with the decision to sue. My youngest daughter was molested @age 8 while spending the nite with a classmate. Three doors down! I had just given birth to my 4th child,and previous had not allowed non-famly sleepovers. I didn't allow a trial, the perp got 10yrs probation. Go for it go for it go for it. It's a private matter.
ReplyDeleteThis is a strange annoucement. I think it is to distract from the fact that today is Joy's wedding.
ReplyDeleteJoy did not get married yesterday.
DeleteI wonder about people saying it is allowable to release information after the people who were the victims become adults. By that standard anyone who legally becomes of adult age could expect the media to be flooded with confidential and private information about them. That seems awful for a young person. Could that be correct? I wonder what the proper and legal application of law's are? Really that is the bottom line, despite opinion or preferences. I wish the Duggars well. This is like the gossip analogy of the bag of feathers that gets emptied from a hilltop, they just blow around for ever and can't be picked up. But people who release information for money do not concern themselves with the effects of what they do. For Christians, who are supposed to be discreet and hold our tongues under Christ in God honoring control, gossip is not acceptable and that analogy is held out to us to describe the damage done by a gossipping spirit. We seek to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and to not grieve the Holy Spirit. But on the other hand don't people need the truth so they know what really goes on aside from perfect image fronts that are held out to everyone. If there is a plastic front and behind it the reality is terrible and there is a whole audience worshipping the plastic front wouldn't the person who saw the dark reality behind the scenes feel obligated to expose the dark truth? So people would know about what they are devoting themselves to?
ReplyDeleteWhile they're at it, they might consider sueing some of the magazines that print horrible lies about them....
ReplyDeleteWho is Rick Hoyt?
ReplyDeletewill be praying that God will use this.
ReplyDeleteSandy B.
I feel deeply sorry for the Duggar girls who had to experience being victimized by their brother, and were re victimized by the release of this information, but I do not believe their lawsuit has any actual legal merit.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the released documents were redacted, and contained no children's names at all.
Second, this was an investigation, from which no charges resulted. Had Josh been charged and tried, the records of the proceedings would have been sealed, as juvenile records are as required by law. Investigation records are not governed by these same regulations. The Duggar parents could have hired a lawyer and initiated proceedings to have these investigation records sealed or expunged, they did not.
Third, Jill Dillard and Jessa Duggar outed themselves by doing the interview on Fox, very likely for a fee, which will work against them pretty significantly in court.
Fourth, this lawsuit provides the public with the first confirmation that Jinger and Joyanna were also victims, so essentially the Duggars themselves outed all 4 girls.
It is also worth mentioning that the law does not prohibit naming adult victims of sexual assault in the press, but that this is actually a matter of journalistic convention.
Having said all that, I truly do feel for the girls, but I find it highly doubtful that they will prevail in court.
On your second point, didn't the Duggars go to court to have the records sealed AFTER they were released? I don't recall exactly, but I seem to remember an action taken after the reports had come out (redacted).
DeleteOtherwise, cogent points, thanks.
Their names were redacted, but they showed the age of one of the victims, leading us to figure out that it was Joy-Anna. The others we wouldn't have known if Jill and Jessa didn't come forward.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter if the names were released or not or what time they were released. They aren't suing for themselves, but to prevent future occurances that may hurt others
ReplyDeletemy goodness, everywhere I look online I see something else about the Duggar family. I would love to just tell the Duggars that the Lord warns us saying,"Aspire to live quietly and to mind your own affairs and to work with your own hands as we instructed you" There is a reason that people we have looked up to such as Pastor David Jeremiah, Pastor David Wilkerson, Billy Graham would have never put themselves or their loved ones on a silly reality show. They know it's destructive and wrong and that God said, "Beware of practicing your Righteousness before men to be noticed by them,otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in Heaven." Disobedience comes at a price!
ReplyDeleteGood for them! All parties involved were minors and the juvenile records were sealed. And being Christians has nothing to do with it. Being a Christian isn't about our deeds it's about Christ's free gift of salvation.
ReplyDelete