The following story discusses sexual abuse and may be disturbing to some readers.
An alleged victim of child sexual abuse by former pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church in Texas is talking to lawmakers in hopes of helping abuse victims heal.
Grandmother and 54-year-old Cindy Clemishire recently shared her story of sexual abuse and grooming by Morris when she was 12 years old. The abuse and grooming took place over four years throughout her teenage years, according to her statement. Morris made a statement of confession back in July of this year and shortly after resigned at Gateway.
Now Clemishire is asking lawmakers in Texas to ban the silencing of victims through non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) as well as extend the statute of limitations on child sex abuse in the state.
Clemishire says the abuse took place in the early 80s. Morris was married and a father at the time. He made a confession to an extent in 1987 and received "freedom ministry."
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Back then, Morris' attorneys offered to reimburse the cost of her therapy, but only if she signed a non-disclosure agreement, which would have prevented her from revealing the abuse.
"Had I signed a non-disclosure agreement back in 2007 and accepted the $25,000, I would not be able to be speaking out now," Clemishire told WFAA.
State Rep. Jeff Leach held a hearing on Oct. 2, 2024, with Texas lawmakers in which Clemishire was able to address these issues.
"It's part of the healing process to be able to share your story," Clemishire said. "It's just protecting predators whenever an NDA is forced upon a victim."
After the hearing, Leach said he would make this a priority at the next session.
"We absolutely must fight against the misuse of nondisclosure agreements in child sex abuse cases," he said in a statement cited by WFAA. "They only serve to silence victims and shield perpetrators and those who harbor them."
Clemishire has said that she revealed the abuse to Morris and Gateway Church back in 2005. Since Morris' confession in July of this year, the elders of the church have said they didn't have all the details and didn't know the extent of the abuse.
"He built a life and a platform and great wealth using my story and lying about it," said Clemishire. "A survivor should be allowed to speak about their life."