Salvation Army lawsuit alleges internal warnings ignored, allowing music director to abuse girl for years

The Salvation Army, a Protestant church and international charitable organization, faces allegations of negligence in its hiring practices and child protection policies. A lawsuit filed in Louisville, Kentucky, claims the organization failed to act on prior warnings about Joel Collier, a music director who allegedly abused a 14-year-old girl over several years. The case alleges that Collier, who was placed on an internal registry of individuals suspected of child sex abuse in 2014, was later hired by another branch of the Salvation Army to lead youth camps in 2017.

According to the lawsuit, Collier met Riley Neville at one of these camps and began sexually grooming and abusing her. The abuse allegedly included explicit text messages, requests to describe her naked body, fondling, and, after she turned 18, non-consensual intercourse and other violent acts. Neville, now 23, claims the abuse led to her attempting suicide. She and her family only learned years later that the Salvation Army’s Eastern Territory had flagged Collier as a potential danger to children.

The lawsuit alleges that officials in the Salvation Army’s Southern Territory, based in Atlanta, removed Collier from the internal registry and hired him despite knowing of the prior concerns. Neville, who chose to share her story publicly, argues that the Salvation Army’s mission to care for the vulnerable makes it morally and legally responsible for protecting children. “They can’t knowingly hire pedophiles and not be held accountable,” she said.

Joel Collier, now 35, is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit and no longer works for the Salvation Army. He has moved to the United Kingdom, according to his website. Collier has not responded to the allegations, stating he hopes for a swift resolution. The Salvation Army has not yet commented on the case.

The case highlights concerns about the organization’s internal processes and its duty to safeguard children. It raises questions about how different branches of the Salvation Army handle allegations and whether past warnings are adequately addressed. As the lawsuit proceeds, it may prompt a broader examination of accountability and transparency within the organization’s leadership and operations.

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