Rachel Dolezal’s brother Joshua to stand trial for alleged sexual abuse of a black child

Family claims that Rachel Dolezal may have helped initiate the charges

Rachel Dolezal says that she considers herself to be black

(AP)

On the day that Rachel Dolezal stepped down as president of the Spokane, Washington chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People it was revealed that her older brother will be standing trial on allegations of sexual abuse against a black child.

Joshua Dolezal faces four felony counts of sexual assault in Colorado, which he has denied, according to the Denver Post. He is free on bail while he awaits trial.

The alleged activities took place at the home of Lawrence and Ruthanne Dolezal, the parents of both Joshua and Rachel, either “in 2001 or 2002”. There is no indication that the alleged victim is a child of the family.

The Dolezal parents have indicated that Rachel may have helped bring the charges against her brother, possibly answering one question that has baffled those who have been following the story: Why would parents out their daughter, subjecting her to public humiliation?

Ms Dolezal has dominated headlines the past several days after her parents revealed she was a white woman, trying to pass a black woman. She appeared on NBC Tuesday morning, making her first public comments.

The sexual-abuse allegations against Mr Dolezal surfaced in 2013 and Mr Dolezal was arrested last year, the Post reported. Mr Dolezal's trial is set to begin in August.

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