The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism confirmed this week that missionary Donn Ketcham sexually abused four women and 18 girls.
According to Christianity Today, the 280-page report is from the
Professional Investigators International, which conducted a three-year
investigation of allegations that Ketcham, who was a surgeon, had
sexually abused women and girls during his time in Bangladesh from 1961
to 1989.
Ketcham did not speak to investigators.
“There is no amount of remorse, regret, or shame that can make up for
the suffering and pain we caused,” said Al Cockrell, interim president
of ABWE, in a press release. “We are offering to meet with the victims
in person to express our deepest apology, to pay for counseling for
them, and to ensure them we have implemented measures to prevent such
deplorable behavior again.”
According to reports, Ketcham admitted to “heavy petting” with girls in
high school, and during medical school he had an extramarital affair,
as well as two more affairs later.
Ketcham was then sent with his wife to Bangladesh to help start a
mission hospital. He reportedly flirted with staff and had another
affair while there. Investigators found that he examined minors without
nurses or parents present and sometimes conducted unnecessary pelvic
exams of young girls.
This was just the start of a long history of wrongful behavior from Ketcham, who surrendered his medical license in 2012.
“We are strong, beautiful women who were once adorable, innocent little girls,” responded
Ketcham’s victims via their “Bangladesh MKs Speak” Facebook group.
“[After seeing the report], we were again faced with ugly, hurtful
details regarding our stories. This has been an incredibly difficult,
painful, emotional week. BUT! Today we remember and focus on the fact
that though hurt, we are still strong, beautiful women, now mothers and
grandmothers, that have dozens of reasons to focus on joy and
gratitude.”
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