Calvary Chapel in Santa Ana, California, Agrees to $12 Million Settlement in Lawsuit Over Former Pastor’s Alleged Assault

An Orange County church has agreed to pay $12 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a woman who said a former pastor sexually assaulted and attacked her, according to a report in The Orange County Register.

The woman, a single mother whose children attended Calvary Chapel’s Costa Mesa school, alleged that she had been “brutally battered and violently raped” by Jacob Harman, a former church pastor, missionary and wrestling coach, the report said. These are the woman’s allegations as reported, and the report does not describe any findings in the case.

Grady Howe, an attorney representing the woman, told the newspaper that she would want other victims to know that they are not alone and that advocates are available to them. “It’s obviously difficult and takes a lot of courage to do it, but I think this shows and sets a precedent that we can hold institutions, (and) we can hold individuals accountable for what these victims are going through,” Howe said. The case underscores the need to speak up for those who have been harmed (Proverbs 31:8-9).

The report describes Calvary Chapel as a Christian megachurch located between Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, according to the church’s website. Although the church’s name includes Costa Mesa, its address listed on the website is 3800 S Fairview St. in Santa Ana.

Source: Read the original report