- Jinger Duggar Vuolo spoke to Insider about her brother Josh Duggar's child pornography conviction.
- She said she hopes Josh feels "truly broken about what he's done."
Jinger Duggar Vuolo is speaking out about her brother Josh Duggar's child pornography conviction in her new book "Becoming Free Indeed," which details her separation from the conservative Christian organization known as the Institute of Basic Life Principals.
Josh was convicted of charges related to possession of child pornography and sentenced to 151 months in prison in May 2022, as reported by Insider's Michelle Mark. Prosecutors alleged at trial that Josh downloaded hundreds of pieces of child sexual abuse material to his office computer at his used car dealership in Springdale, Arkansas.
In her book, Vuolo revealed that she hadn't spoken to Josh, who is the oldest of 18 children, in about two years. She described the "backlash" against his actions as "correctly, severe."
"Even if he wasn't a public figure, he would still be in prison for his actions. But because millions know who Josh is, his sin gives Christ a bad name. Those who oppose Christianity can point to Josh as evidence that anyone who claims to walk with Jesus is a phony," she continued.
In an interview with Insider conducted in January, Vuolo elaborated on her feelings about Josh's crimes.
"My heart, it really just breaks for the victims and their families and all that they've gone through," she said. "And I'm so thankful that justice has been served with my brother, and ultimately I just would pray that he would be truly broken about what he's done."
Vuolo admitted that she has trouble speaking on the topic and added, "the most important thing for any one of us is that we would come to know that we will each stand before God. And so I know that Josh will give an account for his crimes before God."
"I would pray that he would just cry out in repentance, ask forgiveness from God, and realize how wrong he has been. God can forgive even the worst of sinners. So that's just where my heart would be for him," Vuolo said.
The public first became aware of Josh's history of alleged sex crimes in 2015 when InTouch reported on molestation allegations from a 2006 police report.
According to the report, their father Jim Bob Duggar first found out about Josh's behavior in 2002, when one of his daughters said Josh was touching her breasts and genitals while she slept. The police report stated that Josh molested four of his sisters while they slept, and at times while they were awake.
Vuolo was one of Josh's victims in 2002 — she was just 9 years old, according to Gawker. Her sisters Jana Duggar, Jill Dillard, Jessa Seewald, and Joy-Anna Forsyth were also Josh's alleged victims. Their ages ranged from five to 12 at the time of his actions.
None of the Duggar sisters pursued charges against Josh, and USA Today reported that the Duggar family wanted to sue on charges related to privacy because they believed "the bigger story is how Josh's police records were released (under a Freedom of Information Act)."
A federal jury in Arkansas convicted Josh on the 2021 charges related to possession of child pornography.
Vuolo's book, "Becoming Free Indeed," detailing how she detangled herself from the conservative Christian organization known as the Institute of Basic Life Principles (IBLP) is available now.