Liberty University Sexual Assault Scandal Docuseries in the Works

Talos Films has signed an exclusive access deal with the women at the center of the Liberty University sexual assault scandal to document their fight for justice.

The scandal at Liberty University has revealed numerous cases of alleged sexual assault for which the university took no meaningful action against the alleged perpetrators and sought to dismiss victims’ claims. In addition to following the women’s legal case, The Liberty University Project (w/t) will also explore the influence and power wielded by the university.

Liberty University was founded by Southern Baptist preacher Jerry Falwell in 1971 and headed by his son Jerry Falwell Jr. until his resignation in the spring of 2021 in the wake of his own sexual scandal.

The Liberty University Project is being produced in association with Tom Arnold, who was featured in the podcast Gangster Capitalism. The podcast brought the stories of many of the Liberty survivors to light and helped to generate the lawsuit, “Jane Does 1 – 12 v Liberty University”. Twenty-two former students have joined together in the legal case to hold the university accountable for its inaction and pressing for change to the institutional culture and policies that allowed this alleged abuse to happen.

Chelsea Andrews, who was originally known as “Jane Doe 7” in the lawsuit, said: “While on campus at Liberty University, I was the star student activist and three-term class president. During my senior year, I was raped. Safety for victimized students at Liberty University has been my number one concern in coming forward now—from writing a petition to the General Counsel this May to being in the first cohort of the lawsuit. This documentary will assure my assault and this moment of justice are not covered up.”

Heather Wendel, “Jane Doe 13” in the lawsuit, said: “It’s been 12 years since I started my journey from burning in ashes to finding inner peace. Purity culture demands you remain “untouched”; once gone, you have no value. I finally have my voice and know my value as a woman—but these things were stolen from me by my assailants and then again by those entrusted with my safety. I’m doing this documentary to start a transformation on all college campuses, across the nation, so the kids that will come after me don’t suffer, or struggle the way I did, and still do. I’m doing this to help create a better, safer future that holds people accountable.”

Elli Hakami, co-founder of Talos Films, added: “Talos is honored to be documenting this courageous group of women who have gone public despite the trauma they have suffered, as they not only fight for justice for themselves but also attempt to force Liberty University to change its policies and ensure no other women have to suffer similar abuse and cover-ups.”