ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. -- The National NAACP has suspended an Alamance County pastor who is running to lead the North Carolina branch of the organization.
- Jazmyne Childs says she was assaulted in 2017 by Rev. Curtis Gatewood
- The organization investigated and found Gatewood violated policy
- The Alamance County branch executive committee and family members are standing by Gatewood
Reverend Curtis Gatewood faces sexual abuse allegations stemming from a 2017 incident. The national office of the NAACP posted a letter issued to Gatewood on its website notifying him of his suspension from the organization.
In a news conference Wednesday, Jazmyne Childs said, she was in a dark room preparing for a colleague's birthday party when she was approached by Rev. Curtis Gatewood, who put his private parts against her backside.
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"I yelled loudly. Why are you hovering over me? That's gross. Move! He claimed he was looking for a receipt and then stormed out. I stood there feeling violated, ashamed and scared," Childs said.
The organization launched an independent investigation and found that Gatewood violated the chapter's sexual harassment policy.
Gatewood released a statement Wednesday saying in part:
"I have never harassed anyone. I have been one of the NC NAACP's most consistent male advocates for women within the workplace. I will humbly stay the course."
The Alamance County branch executive committee and family members are standing by Gatewood saying he was denied due process by the organization.
“If this is about protecting somebody that is a victim of sexual assault, why aren’t we in court,” Desmera Gatewood, the pastor’s daughter said.
“There was no police report nor any legal charges filed,” Linda Snipes with the organization said. “There exist no written reprimands or personal records to support these accusations.”
However, the national office says the allegations against Gatewood are credible and they do not condone such behavior.