A statement from the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference:
In light of recent events surrounding allegations of inappropriate behavior against Taylor University professor and past KCWC keynote speaker and workshop leader, Dr. Dennis Hensley, and even though Dr. Hensley has not been associated with KCWC for a couple of years, the KCWC planning committee and executive board will be addressing our processes going forward regarding engaging faculty and keynote speakers for our conferences. We are saddened as we watch the situation with Dr. Hensley escalate, and more and more people come forward testifying to inappropriate behavior.
Due to the nature of the world today, KCWC feels it necessary to make a statement to our attendees, as your safety is of utmost importance to us. At this time, we want you, our attendees and supporters, to know that we have not heard of, nor are we aware of any misconduct associated with KCWC. In the entire 22-year history of the KCWC conference, no one has ever reported any such inappropriate behavior. However, now that we have been made aware, we have taken steps to provide a confidential means by which any attendee who may have experienced or witnessed inappropriate behavior brought about by anyone associated with our conference can report such behavior. If you have, and feel compelled to bring this to our attention, please contact our executive board at board@kychristianwriters.com.
As we work through this, we are joining in conversation with other writers conferences to share best practices as we evaluate our policies and procedures so that we ensure our writing conferences are set up to facilitate a safe environment for all of our attendees and faculty.
If you wish to read about the incident that prompted this public communication, please visit the article published by Inside Higher Ed: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/07/16/prominent-taylor-university-professor-leaves-amid-sexual-harassment-allegation
–KCWC Executive Board
