Liberty University Scandal

Early Allegations and a Pattern of Mishandling Complaints

Students began speaking out years earlier about how sexual assault survivors were treated on campus. Several women alleged that after reporting misconduct, they were shamed, ignored, or even punished under the school’s strict “Liberty Way” code of conduct, which discouraged premarital sex and alcohol consumption. Survivors reported being told they had “put themselves in compromising positions,” effectively silencing them and discouraging future reports.

Former students claim that instead of protecting victims, Liberty University prioritized protecting its image and maintaining enrollment. Some even say that administrators would pressure survivors not to pursue investigations, reinforcing a culture of silence.

Federal Investigations and the $14 Million Fine

These failures eventually drew federal scrutiny. In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Education announced that Liberty University had been fined a record-breaking $14 million for Clery Act violations the largest fine ever imposed under the law.

• The investigation revealed that Liberty had:
• Failed to properly report crimes on university property.
• Created barriers that discouraged students from reporting sexual assault.
• Mishandled numerous cases, leaving survivors without justice.

The Department described the violations as “serious and systemic,” highlighting that Liberty’s failures spanned years and placed students at significant risk. The Clery Act fine underscored the government’s stance: no school receiving federal funding can ignore its responsibility to keep students safe.

Connections to Leadership and Institutional Culture

The school’s leadership, especially under President Jerry Falwell Jr., has also come under fire. Falwell Jr., son of Jerry Falwell Sr. the founder of the Moral Majority and Liberty itself was at the center of numerous controversies, including the infamous sex scandal involving his wife Becki Falwell and pool attendant Giancarlo Granda.

While much of that scandal focused on Falwell’s personal life, critics argue it exposed a broader problem: a culture where leaders prioritized power, money, and loyalty over accountability. Survivors alleged that Falwell and his administration created an environment where misconduct was covered up or minimized to avoid bad press.

Even when the president of Liberty University and other administrators publicly addressed scandals, critics noted that apologies often came late and were framed more as “sincerely regret” statements meant to protect the institution rather than survivors. For example, Falwell apologized at times for “personal matters” that damaged the school’s image, but survivors argue the real issue was institutional neglect of sexual assault.

Allegations of Retaliation and Cover-Ups

Numerous reports suggest that students and employees who spoke out faced retaliation. Some survivors who sued the university described the painful litigation process of going up against a well-funded institution determined to save itself. Others noted that complaints were swept aside to preserve enrollment, which had grown rapidly through online enrollment programs offering master’s degrees and more.

Investigative reports from outlets like Vanity Fair and others revealed internal disputes, stories of staff being silenced, and administrators prioritizing relationships with political allies such as President Donald Trump and Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen, who once intervened in Falwell’s scandals over saving students.

The Broader Legacy of Mishandling Abuse

Taken together, the Liberty University scandal is not just about one sex scandal, one president, or one student lawsuit. It represents decades of institutional failures rooted in leadership choices dating back to its time as Lynchburg Baptist College. Survivors argue that discipline codes, image control, and loyalty to the Falwell family mattered more than saving victims.