In the January/February 2004 issue of Adventist Today we reported on the lawsuit filed January 11 of that year against Monterey Bay Academy, an Adventist school near Watsonville, California, and two of its former teachers, stemming from alleged molestations involving the teachers and five former students.

After lengthy delays the case was scheduled for trial in August, 2005. Following three days of mediation, however, the case was settled the preceding June 2 with a judgment of 3.5 million dollars, according to a report in the Santa Cruz Sentinel of June 4. The church admitted no guilt.

An important part of the settlement, according to Joe Scully, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, was that the church would make significant policy changes in its school system to ensure that similar abuses would not be allowed, but that abuse allegations would be listened to and dealt with. The General Conference Web site since 1995 has carried the statement: “We recognize the global extent of this problem and the serious, long-term effects upon the lives of all involved. We believe that Christians must respond to abuse and family violence both within the church and in the community… .We believe that to remain indifferent and unresponsive is to condone, perpetuate, and potentially extend such behavior.” The outcome of the case is a solemn reminder to everyone connected with the youth program of the church to heed this policy.

The settlement of the case prompted other news media to recite abuse cases in other Adventist schools in California and nationwide.