Pat Robertson’s Dismissive Advice On Child Abuse

Today on “The 700 Club,” a viewer named Jonathan told host Pat Robertson that “my mother sexually assaulted me when I was younger,” and wanted to know whether he should “call the police and have my mother charged, now that I can speak up” or whether he should “turn the other cheek.”

The televangelist advised Jonathan not to call the police, and expressed disbelief that a mother would abuse her son.

“Jonathan, I think the thing to do is to let that thing rest,” he said. “Good grief, your mother assaulted you? It’s hard to believe. It’s so rare, but in any event, she’s your mother, I mean, you’ve got to love her. I pray that she might find the Lord and God will forgive her for that and you should forgive her too. But you’re going to charge her and ask for her to be put in jail now that you’re in your late 20s? Of course not.”