Martina Navratilova has voiced criticism against the pastors of Owatonna’s Christian Family Church (CFC) for allegedly discouraging a 14-year-old girl from reporting sexual assault by youth pastor Luverne Daniel Zacharias.
Reports indicate that Zacharias faces multiple felony charges for allegedly assaulting the girl when she was 14 years old. Upon the victim’s attempt to report the abuse to head pastors Tim and Cherrie Peterson, they reportedly advised against involving the authorities, urging her to consider the impact on Zacharias’ family instead.
Despite their discouragement, the victim chose to report the abuse, prompting Zacharias to step down from his role as pastor.
Martina Navratilova expressed disapproval of the pastors’ actions, condemning their tendency to “shame the victim” and “protect the criminal.” She took to social media, stating, “Wow. Those a*swipes will do everything to shame the victim and protect the criminal. That in itself is criminal. Christians my a*s…” on X (formerly Twitter) on February 17.
