Anti-gay activist Josh Duggar checks into ‘treatment’ centre after infidelity and sex abuse scandals
Married anti-gay activist Josh Duggar has checked himself into a “treatment centre” – after he admitted being “unfaithful” to his wife, and amid allegations that he abused teenage girls.
Josh Duggar had served as executive director of the Family Research Council – an anti-gay hate group that works to oppose LGBT rights – but despite opposing equal marriage for gay people, he was revealed to have a paid account on affair website Ashley Madison when leaked this month.
Duggar also appeared on TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting – but the show was pulled off air earlier this year when an unsealed police report revealed that Duggar was reported to have sexually assaulted girls, including some of his own sisters, years prior. He has since resigned from the Family Research Council in disgrace.
After the Ashley Madison leak, Duggar released a statement admitting that he “became unfaithful to my wife”, and labelling himself “the biggest hypocrite ever”.
In a follow-up statement, his parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar revealed that he has now been sent to a ‘treatment centre’ following the scandals.
The family said: “We are so thankful for the outpouring of love, care and prayers for our family during this most difficult situation with Josh. As parents we are so deeply grieved by our son’s decisions and actions.
“His wrong choices have deeply hurt his precious wife and children and have negatively affected so many others. He has also brought great insult to the values and faith we hold dear.
“Yesterday Josh checked himself into a long-term treatment centre. For him it will be a long journey toward wholeness and recovery.
“We pray that in this he comes to complete repentance and sincere change. In the meantime, we will be offering our love, care and devoted support to Anna and our grandchildren as she also receives counsel and help for her own heart and future.
“During this time we continue to look to God—He is our rock and comfort. We ask for your continued prayers for our entire family.”
