Advertisement Former BJU student claims sex abuse was hidden Some outraged about university terminating investigation Share Shares Copy Link Copy

There is outrage among some former students of Bob Jones University who say they were sexually assaulted on campus.They are angry that the university has pulled the plug on a third-party investigation into claims that the university mishandled allegations of sexual abuse at BJU.BJU asked for the firm, GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), to investigate the university's past responses to allegations of sexual abuse and to draft new procedures for future responses -- but right at the end of the investigation, the university terminated the whole thing."A lot of us felt like this (the investigation) was too good to be true," Erin Burchwell said.This is the first time Burchwell has spoken publicly about her abuse she says she suffered at Bob Jones. She spoke with WYYF News 4 Investigates Tim Waller via phone from Ohio.Burchwell said the GRACE investigation would have validated her claim."I've been told for 15 years not to talk about it, but now I'm allowed to talk about it to somebody who's validating me and telling me that I was wronged." Burchwell said.She grew up on Bob Jones campus and attended BJU in the late 90s. She says that's when a male graduate student assaulted her on and off campus over a 2 year period."He did not rape me, so it can't be considered a rape case," Burchwell said. "But he molested me multiple times. I mean, probably 40 or more times."Burchwell claims when her parents finally reported the assaults to university administrators, they were told not to go to the police. Burchwell says administrators also tried to blame what happened on her clothing."What was I wearing when all these incidents occurred? What did I have on? Was it tight? Was it low? Obviously, the point being it was somehow my fault," she said.Burchwell believes little has changed in the 10+ years since she lived on campus, and she says that's evidenced by the decision to end the investigation before Grace's findings were released."They couldn't have something this big come out," she said. "It's just too bad for their appearance."News 4 Investigates gave the university an opportunity to respond to Burchwell's allegations. Spokesman Randy Page said the university has no knowledge of any crimes against Burchwell on campus, but he did say the university is committed to finishing this investigation.Page said, "I think we were already saying if we can work things out with GRACE, that's something we would like to do. But as far as answering different hypotheticals about, 'Would you do this? Would you do that?' I'm not going to get into that. But it is our desire to finish this report and to do it either with GRACE or another third-party."Page says it is not over and talks with GRACE were continuing Friday night.He would not say why the current investigation was terminated.GRACE, meantime, said it's disappointed with BJU's decision and they hope the university will reconsider.