By Michal Ortner
A Georgia pastor has been charged with s*xual battery after allegedly assaulting a woman in his home during a counseling session. Kadijah Davis sought counseling from the minister of Greater Friendship Baptist Church after the passing of her father. Davis is now suing the pastor, Nathaniel Small, Jr., for assaulting her under the pretense of counseling services.
Davis presented her case in Chatham County State Court where she claims that Small physically assaulted her in his home. In January 2013, Small was the directing pastor at the funeral of Davis’ father. Following the services, Small offered “bereavement or grief counseling” for Davis who is not a member of his church.
The location of the counseling service was per the request of Small’s wife, Barbara Small. His wife was not home when the alleged abuse took place in February 2013.
Davis claims that the church did not make any efforts to stop Small from using “access gained through his pastoral position to s*xually prey upon girls and women.”
“Church members and leaders were aware of defendant Nathaniel Small, Jr.’s predatory s*xual misconduct and abuse of his pastoral position, or rumors or allegations thereof, but took no steps to prevent his further s*xual misconduct with those with which he came into contact through his church position,” the lawsuit states.
Davis believes that the church failed to hold Small accountable for his actions and did not properly supervise him. She also claims that his wife, Barbara, was aware of her husband’s misconduct but chose to turn a blind eye and still allowed him to counsel women without supervision.
In the lawsuit, Davis seeks punitive damage for the assault, negligence and infliction of emotional distress. Thomas Hunter of Savannah is her legal representative. Greater Friendship Baptist Church has not been available for comment.
