Preying In the Church: Sexual Assault Victims Speak Out
Alleged victims of sexual abuse at the hands of well-known church leader Mervin Budram continue to speak out. Tonight, we hear from another woman who has also decided to tell her story in support of other victims, known and unknown. The church where Budram fellowshipped, Jubilee Ministries, has revealed that an investigation was launched after the pastor’s daughter accused Budram of sexually assaulting her. But why did the church not take the findings of that investigation to the Belize Police Department? Today, we sought comment from the President of the National Evangelical Association of Belize, Pastor Victor Hernandez, who referred us to Pastor Scott Stirm. Pastor Hernandez also informed us that NEAB would issue a release before news time. We also sought comment on the matter from Pastor Louis Wade who told us that he has been out of the country since July and will speak on the matter after he is fully briefed upon returning to Belize. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
He has been on the bill for countless Christian youth festivals and concerts across the country, released numerous music albums and became a household name in 2009 for his carnival song, Jump for Belize. Worship leader and motivational speaker, Mervin Budram, is now the subject of a police investigation surrounding numerous reports of sexual abuse. He is a beloved figure in the Evangelical Church. Outside of the church, Budram hosted The Creative Monday Discussion on The National Channel. In 2018, he was selected by the US Embassy to join the Young Leaders of America Initiative. Budram is also a thriving entrepreneur.
Mervin Budram
Mervin Budram, Worship Leader/Motivational Speaker
“Many times we don’t stop and think about the choices we make in our lives and the big ramifications. If someone had told me that when I was nine if I opened the door that I would be trapped for almost twenty years, that I would be wrestling for so long trying to get free and staying free. If someone would have told me that my teenage years would be robbed and my twenties would be robbed I never would have opened the door.”
In an ironic video testimonial, Budram spoke about his battle with sexual addiction in his teenage years and in his twenties. And, perhaps, today it provides some insight into the mounting allegations of sexual assault being levied against him. Tonight, we bring you a second interview from a woman who had a similar encounter, twenty years ago, also at the age of sixteen. She has decided to open up about the alleged incident involving Mervin Budram to add to the voices of those women who have already shared their stories and to encourage others to speak out.
Jaqui Flotow
Jaqui Flotow, Sexual Abuse Survivor
“We had a very close relationship. It was someone who I trusted. He was like an older brother. I cared about Mervin so much. I looked up to Mervin and so, on this particular day he had come to visit at my house, I was living in Belmopan. We were hanging out and my parents said he could stay the night instead of having to go to Dangriga that night. He was sleeping in a room that was across the hall way from where my bedroom was and I woke up with him next to my bed and he had his hand between my legs and inside of my clothes on my breast. He was kissing me. He didn’t know at first that I was awake because I didn’t know what to do. When I did like let him know I was awake he did stop.”
Flotow alleges that though he stopped, Budram kept trying to convince her to come with him back to the room where he was sleeping. She says that she finally convinced him to leave the room after telling him that her parents would hear them and that they would both be in trouble. She says hours before that encounter, they had prayed together. She recalled sharing information about some of her personal struggles with him that evening. Flotow says Budram knew that she was in a very vulnerable place in her life.
Jaqui Flotow
“Also feeling like I could not tell anyone, because they would not believe me. I think that to me at that time was a very real thing, like I wouldn’t be believed. I regret that very much now, I don’t think that was true. I think there probably were church leaders that I could have spoken to but I didn’t feel like at that time that I could. When I saw what Rebecca had posted, I think immediately it was guilt, because then I didn’t know even like details there, I am older, I knew her, she was a child and there was no way I could know that he would do something like that to anyone else.”
Budram had been attending Jubilee Ministries in Roaring Creek Village since the time of Flotow’s alleged encounter with him two decades ago. The leaders at the church only recently dismissed him after the pastor’s daughter, Rebecca Stirm-Lennan, revealed that she was also allegedly abused by Budram. On Sunday night, Jason Twist, an Elder in the church, shared with his congregation that upon learning of Rebecca’s encounter, they immediately launched an investigation. That investigation revealed that this was not an isolated incident.
Voice of: Jason Twist, Elder, Jubilee Ministries
“We pledged our unconditional support which included encouraging victims to take necessary action as they deem it fit. Police reports have been filed and it is our understanding that the reports are now with the DPP. As a ministry we want to be categorically clear that we do not condone or tolerate any form of abuse.”
Many are now asking, if the church launched its own investigation and found out that there were others with similar stories, why they didn’t immediately report the matter to Belize Police Department. We reached out to Pastor Scott Stirm for comments and he informed us that he is out of the country.
Jaqui Flotow
“I didn’t speak out because I wanted to punish or see. I know he has a family now. I don’t want to see this horrible thing do more damage to his family. For me I do believe there needs to be accountability. I would like to see him come forward, admit to that and take responsibility for that and for the women who are able, for the charges that are pressed, I think that needs to be handed to the full extent of the law.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
