Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) says that an investigation into the conduct of its founder has uncovered "that he did indeed engage in sexual misconduct."

RZIM made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon in an update to its staff, donors, and supporters. The investigation began after multiple women came forward in August 2020, alleging that Zacharias assaulted them at a day spa he was a co-owner of.

Miller & Martin PLLC is still conducting its investigation and is not expected to conclude it until January or February of 2021. However, the board of RZIM says that "yesterday we received a brief interim update on the investigation we felt we needed to share (attached). Sadly, the interim investigation update indicates this assessment of Ravi’s behavior to be true—that he did indeed engage in sexual misconduct."

The statement says that "This misconduct is deeply troubling and wholly inconsistent with the man Ravi Zacharias presented both publicly and privately to so many over more than four decades of public ministry." Zacharias died in May 2020 after a battle with cancer.

RZIM expressed compassion for Zacharias' victims, saying "We are devastated for those who have suffered from Ravi’s misconduct and for the pain that they are enduring. They have asked for confidentiality and anonymity, and both we and the investigators are committed to honoring their wishes."

The women had alleged in August that "Zacharias touched them inappropriately, exposed himself," and inappropriately touched himself in their presence over a five-year period. They say that Zacharias had originally made them feel cared for, asking about their lives, and getting to know them. However, they say, once he had gained their trust he began to act inappropriately. 

Those allegations came to light three years after other allegations made by a Canadian woman, Lori Anne Thompson in 2017. She alleged that she and the apologist carried out an inappropriate relationship, exchanging sexual images and conversation. Zacharias sued Thompson in 2017 and denied the allegations at the time. 

"Let me state categorically that I never met this woman alone, publicly or privately," Zacharias said in a statement in 2017. "The question is not whether I solicited or sent any illicit photos or messages to another woman—I did not, and there is no evidence to the contrary—but rather, whether I should have been a willing participant in any extended communication with a woman not my wife. The answer, I can unequivocally say, is no, and I fully accept responsibility. In all my correspondence with thousands of people in 45 years of ministry, I have never been confronted with a situation such as this, and God and my family and close friends know how grieved I have been."

Thompson asked the Zacharias family after his death to release her from a non-disclosure agreement she signed in a settlement with him.

'Credible evidence'

Miller & Martin PLLC released its interim report on Tuesday, explaining its methodology for the investigation. Besides interviews with victims, the firm used investigators to look at electronic data.

It says that some alleged victims have refused to talk with investigators, but many others have, and have provided "great detail. Combining those interviews with our review of documents and electronic data, we have found significant, credible evidence that Mr. Zacharias engaged in sexual misconduct over the course of many years. Some of that misconduct is consistent with and corroborative of that which is reported in the news recently, and some of the conduct we have uncovered is more serious. Our investigation is ongoing, and we continue to pursue leads."

RZIM says that while the investigation is continuing, they felt it necessary to come forward at this time. 

"This preliminary statement is not intended to cut short the investigation or predict its full outcome," the statement says. "We want to ensure the investigators have appropriate time and space to complete their work and allow all those who may still desire to have a voice in this process to do so. We ask for continued patience as we complete a lengthy process of investigating serious allegations."

The full statement from RZIM:

Update from RZIM Board: Allegations Against Ravi Zacharias

Intermediate statement regarding external investigation.

Dec. 23, 2020

In August 2020, allegations of sexual misconduct were made against our Founder, Ravi Zacharias. Unfortunately, Ravi had died several months before we first learned of these allegations, so we were unable to explore them with him directly. We engaged Miller & Martin PLLC to investigate these allegations, while also giving them wide latitude to go wherever their investigation might lead them. We have also repeatedly stated our intention not to comment on the investigation until receiving a final report on it.

However, while the investigation remains ongoing and is not expected to be completed until January or February, yesterday we received a brief interim update on the investigation we felt we needed to share (attached). Sadly, the interim investigation update indicates this assessment of Ravi’s behavior to be true—that he did indeed engage in sexual misconduct.

This misconduct is deeply troubling and wholly inconsistent with the man Ravi Zacharias presented both publicly and privately to so many over more than four decades of public ministry. We are heartbroken at learning this but feel it necessary to be transparent and to inform our staff, donors, and supporters at this time, even while the investigation continues. We will speak more comprehensively to all concerned after the completion of the investigation.

We are devastated for those who have suffered from Ravi’s misconduct and for the pain that they are enduring. They have asked for confidentiality and anonymity, and both we and the investigators are committed to honoring their wishes.

This preliminary statement is not intended to cut short the investigation or predict its full outcome. We want to ensure the investigators have appropriate time and space to complete their work and allow all those who may still desire to have a voice in this process to do so. We ask for continued patience as we complete a lengthy process of investigating serious allegations.

RZIM will publicly release the Miller & Martin report as given to the Board as soon as possible after the investigation is complete. In the meantime, we share your compassion for any victims of this conduct, and we appreciate your prayers for them and also for Ravi’s family who have been devastated by this information. As ever, the Lord remains our principal hope for healing and restoration.

The Executive Committee of the RZIM Board of Directors

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