Again? Youth pastor charged with statutory rape in St. Francois County, Mo

[MineralMan]

Pastors! Leave those kids alone!

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/youth-pastor-charged-with-statutory-rape-in-st-francois-county/article_d056e458-82d9-5c4f-96be-84299a342ce5.html

PARK HILLS, Mo. She described the relationship as sexual and said she had sexual intercourse with him on two occasions and that he also touched her inappropriately on a regular basis. She said it all started shortly after her 13th birthday.A youth pastor at the First Baptist Church in East Bonne Terre is being charged after police say he sexually assaulted a girl at the church.

Brian Cassidy, 33, of Park Hills, was charged with a class A felony of statutory rape in the first degree and a class B felony of child molestation in the first degree, the Daily Journal of Park Hills reported Saturday.

According to a probable cause statement, on Dec. 15 an Children's Advocacy Center interview was conducted with a girl less than 17 years old. During the interview she said she was having a relationship with Cassidy.

[comradebillyboy]

1. Is Youth Pastor a code word for child abuser?

[MineralMan]

2. Far too often, it apparently is.

It's all too common a story. We had one such "youth minister" in the church I attended in the 50s and 60s. He was caught, and sent to some other church. The girl he abused was shamed out of the church. She was 14 years old.

[Iggo]

3. As usual. (n/t)

[Lordquinton]

4. I hope people realize that the problem isn't just the actual abuse

But the cover and extra protection being a pastor gives these rapists. This is what privilege does, and why people speak out against it.