Morris’ accuser testified Wednesday before a Texas House committee in support of a bill that would make certain NDAs in child sex abuse cases void.
DALLAS — Cindy Clemishire, the Oklahoma woman who accused Gateway Church founding pastor Robert Morris of sexually abusing her starting when she was 12 in the ‘80s, leading to his indictment last week, testified before a Texas House committee about the alleged abuse.
Clemishire testified in front of the Texas House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence in support of House Bill 748, which would make certain nondisclosure agreements in child sex abuse cases unenforceable. The bill was authored by State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano.
Clemishire testified that Morris began sexually abusing her starting on Christmas Day in 1982 when Morris was a traveling evangelist staying at her family’s home in Osage County in Oklahoma.
She testified Morris told her, “You can never tell anyone because it will ruin everything,” and said the alleged abuse continued until she told someone when she was 17 in 1987.
“At 17 years old in 1987, I felt like it was all my fault. As I began the lifelong journey to sort through these emotional challenges, my life seemed to attract more shame while Robert’s attracted fame,” Clemishire testified through tears. “Through decades of counseling off and on, seminars, books and conversations with friends and family, I have found my way to understanding child sexual abuse, forgiveness and hearing.”
She testified she began seeking financial restitution from Morris for the alleged abuse in 2007.
“Robert Morris’ attorney responded with a letter accusing an innocent, 12-year-old Cindy of pursuing Robert, making Robert sound like the victim. The letter also offered a $25,000 settlement as long as I would sign an NDA, which I refused,’” Clemishire said. “Because I refused to sign an NDA, my abuser is finally being held accountable for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child. Because I refused to sign the NDA at the age of 37, I am able to sit here at the age of 55 and share my story and be the voice of so many people who don’t have the courage to come forward in the hopes that I can help them.”
Morris was indicted last week in Oklahoma on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child and turned himself in to authorities there earlier this week.
A plea of not guilty was entered for Morris and he’s set to appear in court again May 9.
Morris resigned from his role as lead pastor at Gateway last year after Clemishire’s allegations became public.
At that time, Morris admitted to being “involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady,” but didn’t reference her age.
Since the allegations were made public, several other staff members, including Robert’s son, James, have left the church, and an internal investigation led to investigation led to the firing of multiple gateway elders.
