Jeffrey Donaldson, the disgraced former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), provided teenagers with unusual sex education during his time as a youth leader at Kilkeel Presbyterian Church. In the early 1990s, Donaldson, who was convicted on Monday of 18 sex abuse charges including rape, advised young congregants on resisting sexual urges by placing a Bible between them in a car.
Donaldson, 63, was found guilty of eight offenses against one victim between 1999 and 2008, and 10 offenses, including rape, against a second victim between 1985 and 1991. While carrying out these crimes, he also served as a prominent figure in his local church.
During a period from 1990 to 1991, Donaldson led a youth fellowship group where he conducted sessions on Christian values and relationships. According to an anonymous local man who attended these meetings, Donaldson dedicated an evening to discussing sex and the Christian faith, focusing on sexual propriety outside of marriage. He suggested that dating Christians should avoid being alone to prevent temptation and recommended double dates or group outings.
For car journeys, Donaldson reportedly advised teenagers to keep a Bible in the car, suggesting that if they felt tempted, one of them should read from the Bible to divert their minds from sin. The man described these lessons as serious discussions about sexual propriety, the sanctity of marriage, and the concept of "true love waits."
The revelations have been met with disgust by those aware of Donaldson's past activities, particularly given the hypocrisy of his advice in light of his subsequent convictions. The former MP projected an image of a serious and devout church member, leading to a lack of suspicion within the community. A spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland acknowledged the anguish and betrayal felt by many and paid tribute to the victims' bravery in coming forward. The church encouraged any victims of abuse to report allegations to the police or its safeguarding team.