DALLAS — Cindy Clemishire, whose accusation of sexual abuse at the hands of a megachurch pastor has shaken churches across North Texas, asked state lawmakers to ban clauses in settlement agreements that she argues can silence victims of abuse.
Clemishire told the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence last week that Morris' attorneys offered to reimburse her for therapy bills if she signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that would prevent her from talking about the alleged abuse.
She said refusing the 2007 offer allowed her to publicly allege earlier this year that Morris sexually assaulted her for years -- starting when she was 12 in the 1980s.
Morris confessed to "inappropriate sexual behavior" days after Clemishire's accusations became public and resigned as founding pastor of the Gateway Church in Southlake this summer.
"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.
She asked lawmakers in Austin last week to move to ban NDA clauses in settlement agreements tied to sexual abuse.
"It's part of the healing process to be able to share your story," she said. "It's just protecting predators whenever an NDA is forced upon a victim."
Clemishire joined other advocates at the State Capitol to push for the changes -- and the chairman of the committee holding the hearing indicated he would bring legislation to push the issue next session.
"We absolutely must fight against the misuse of nondisclosure agreements in child sex abuse cases," said State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, in a statement. "They only service to silence victims and shield perpetrators and those who harbor them."
Clemishire said she also wants lawmakers to examine extending the civil statute of limitations, allowing survivors to sue long after the alleged abuse took place. She said if the laws were different, she would push Morris for restitution.
"He built a life and a platform and great wealth using my story and lying about it," she said.
Clemishire said her instinct to refuse to sign the NDA in 2007 kept her from being "silenced." Now she says she's using her voice in an effort to help future victims.
"A survivor should be allowed to speak about their life," she said.
