Wolf among the lambs: the case of Chi Alpha sexual abuse

Predatory actors, like predatory animals, exploit low-risk, high-target environments. This examination explores how a convicted sexual predator, who was never a formal member, used a para-church organization on university campuses for grooming and abusing young men and minors for years. This multi-phasal case study analysis utlizes a time-ordered display matrix and an inductive analysis of legal documents, news reports, internal organizational communiques, and witnesses’ statements to demonstrate the existing organizational culture and structures were communicatively ‘optimal’ for predation and further ‘optimized’ by the predator. Exploring the member-abusive organization (MAO) revealed six existing organizational structures which enabled the criminal's prolonged access to victims. Taken together, this exemplar reveals how problematic communication patterns can create contexts that allow predators to exploit organizations and operate over prolonged periods with minimal obstruction. The study concludes with practical communication insights for organizations to protect against predatory interlopers.