In all the discussion of pedophile Josh Duggar and his multi-level sex scandal, it's easy to forget about the victims. The "19 Kids and Counting" Duggar parents hoped it would remain that way. But investigators and InTouch Weekly made sure incest victims were remembered by leaking their names. The "Counting On" family isn't too happy and several members filed a lawsuit. Jill Dillard, Jessa Seewald, Jinger Vuolo, and Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth are suing for invasion of privacy and failing to protect child abuse victims' rights. Ironically, Josh Duggar planned to join their lawsuit under a new law that protects perpetrators.
Police reveal 1'9 Kids and Counting' incest victims
Folks already know, thanks to Josh Duggar's admission, that the Reality TV star fondled several sisters beginning when he was a teen. They know Jim Bob Duggar hushed it up. They've heard it happened at church and other girls were involved. What they didn't know was who fell victim to Duggar's pedophilia. Then Springdale, Arkansas police and Washington County authorities made police reports public and InTouch Weekly published the names.
Reality TV show felled by sex abuse
"19 Kids and Counting" was canceled over the sex scandal and TLC started "Counting On" to keep up with Jessa and Ben Seewald and Derick and Jill Dillard. It follows the weddings of Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo and Joy-Anna Duggar and Austin Forsyth.
TLC did not invite Josh and Anna Duggar along.
Reality television stars expect privacy
Understandably, the reality television family doesn't want their names made public. But the "19 Kids and Counting" clan gave up privacy when they went on reality TV. The Duggars of "Counting On" are a very high profile family. They make every part of their lives public on TLC and with their social media following on Instagram and Facebook.
Can these celebrities choose what's public and what's private?
Sisters sue police over Josh Duggar's molestation
The issue is child abuse victims' rights, say the "Counting On" sisters. And a new law making it illegal to expose child victims confirms this. But it also protects perpetrators if they are underage. As Josh Duggar was a teen when he abused the girls, this new law would keep his name secret too.
The ex "19 Kids and Counting" star tried to sue for privacy invasion for making his incest and pedophilia public.
Folks fault Duggar girls lawsuit
Some have slammed the "Counting On" girls because they want financial damages, would profit from their brother's crime, and are drawing needless attention. A Springdale Arkansas rep accused them of "wasting taxpayer dollars" and scapegoating the police. It wouldn't be the first time the "19 Kids and Counting" parents have avoided responsibility. When the sex scandal broke, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar actually accused the "liberal media" of exploiting their family and harming their daughters when they were the ones who harbored and enabled the child abuse.
