My letter is in regards to Edward Delp’s column “Turning on victims” printed on April 5. A closer look at the Indianapolis Star article that Mr. Delp referred to, which I’m assuming is the only source of information he used for his argument, is needed for the situation to be communicated fairly.
Mr. Delp wrote that College Park Church “turned its back” on the alleged victim. However, looking at the same article that appeared in the Star, it is evident that this is untrue.
As Mr. Delp even noted, the church has given financial aid to the alleged victim’s family for counseling. Nowhere in the article does it say for a fact that the church has done anything against the alleged victim’s family; the only inferences that this is so are given by claims from disgruntled former church members. One must keep in mind who the people are who made these claims: the alleged victim’s father and someone who stopped attending the church months ago. Common sense tells us that these are probably not two of the most detached, objective or even knowledgeable sources in this situation.
Also, near the end of the column, Mr. Delp suggests that the Justice Department should investigate the church. From what the Star tells us, the alleged molestation did not occur at the church; it was at Van Gorp’s home. Mr. Delp also implies that College Park is no longer safe for children. If he is referring to the fact that Van Gorp is still allowed in the church, this is a moot point because Van Gorp is only allowed in the building with an escort, and those who run the children’s ministry are aware of him and the charges against him.
Mr. Delp stated his belief that child molesters do not deserve sympathy and support – only isolation and prison – and that the church is supporting “evil acts” like child molestation. Nowhere in the Star article does the church say it is supporting the alleged crime; rather, it is supporting the alleged criminal, who lost his job. There is a difference.
Mike Beam
Freshman
