Ethnos360, a Florida-based Christian organization previously known as New Tribes Mission, faces a lawsuit alleging that one of its missionaries sexually assaulted a minor overseas 15 years ago. The organization has a history of sex abuse allegations, with multiple women having shared their experiences of abuse by “dorm dads” — missionaries in charge of caring for children at mission boarding schools. Following a 2019 NBC News report detailing these allegations, Ethnos360 settled several lawsuits and publicly apologized, stating it had implemented substantial child safety training based on recommendations made in 2010.
The latest lawsuit, filed in Seminole County, Florida, claims Ethnos360 failed to provide care or professional assistance to the family of Kayla McClain, now 24, who reported inappropriate sexual conduct in 2012. Allegedly, the abuse from missionary Nate Horling began when McClain was just five years old and escalated over time, culminating in a sexual assault.
While Horling denies the allegations, the lawsuit claims significant negligence on Ethnos360’s part. Attorney Boz Tchividjian, who filed this and a previous lawsuit concerning incidents at a missionary training center, criticized Ethnos360’s handling of abuse allegations. The lawsuit argues that the organization did not adequately investigate incidents or provide help to victims, characterizing the behaviors reported as “normal child exploration.”
McClain has publicly expressed her desire for accountability, revealing how the abuse profoundly affected her mental health. She struggled with PTSD and sought to report her experiences through an internal review process, but Ethnos360 allegedly provided no counseling or necessary support.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and aims to hold Ethnos360 accountable for its failures in protecting vulnerable children.
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