Missionary Doctor Convicted of Sexually Abusing 22 Victims

The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism confirmed this week that missionary Donn Ketcham sexually abused four women and 18 girls. 

According to Christianity Today, the 280-page report is from the Professional Investigators International, which conducted a three-year investigation of allegations that Ketcham, who was a surgeon, had sexually abused women and girls during his time in Bangladesh from 1961 to 1989.

Ketcham did not speak to investigators.

“There is no amount of remorse, regret, or shame that can make up for the suffering and pain we caused,” said Al Cockrell, interim president of ABWE, in a press release. “We are offering to meet with the victims in person to express our deepest apology, to pay for counseling for them, and to ensure them we have implemented measures to prevent such deplorable behavior again.”

According to reports, Ketcham admitted to “heavy petting” with girls in high school, and during medical school he had an extramarital affair, as well as two more affairs later.

Ketcham was then sent with his wife to Bangladesh to help start a mission hospital. He reportedly flirted with staff and had another affair while there. Investigators found that he examined minors without nurses or parents present and sometimes conducted unnecessary pelvic exams of young girls.

This was just the start of a long history of wrongful behavior from Ketcham, who surrendered his medical license in 2012.

“We are strong, beautiful women who were once adorable, innocent little girls,” responded Ketcham’s victims via their “Bangladesh MKs Speak” Facebook group. “[After seeing the report], we were again faced with ugly, hurtful details regarding our stories. This has been an incredibly difficult, painful, emotional week. BUT! Today we remember and focus on the fact that though hurt, we are still strong, beautiful women, now mothers and grandmothers, that have dozens of reasons to focus on joy and gratitude.”

Publication date: May 10, 2016