Cult Leader Protected Abuser, Inquiry Hears

Strategic Insights -

A leader of the Geelong Revival Centre (GRC), a fundamentalist church, protected a Sunday school teacher who was jailed for sexually abusing nine children, according to testimony given at a Victorian parliamentary inquiry. The couple, Catherine and Ryan Carey, who were former members of the GRC, described the church as a "state within a state" where abuse was covered up and victims were blamed. The inquiry, established in April after allegations of coercive practices at the GRC, is examining whether the church's methods amount to coercion that should be criminalized.

Key Takeaways:

  • The leader of the Geelong Revival Centre protected a Sunday school teacher who was jailed for sexually abusing nine children, despite parents reporting the abuse to the church leader instead of the police.
  • The couple, Catherine and Ryan Carey, described the GRC as a "state within a state" where abuse was covered up and victims were blamed.
  • The church's leader believed his authority was "higher than the law of the land" and instructed elders to physically punish children.
  • Families were also instructed to discipline their children harshly, with parents told to "crush their kids' will by the time they are three to make them compliant."
  • Ryan Carey's father was "second in charge of the cult" and lived in a "constant state of fear" that the "world was going to end."
  • Catherine Carey joined the GRC at 19, after experiencing trauma and feeling isolated and vulnerable.
  • The GRC has a network of more than 20 assemblies across Australia and overseas, with more than 200 members.
  • Members were expected to donate at least 10% of their salary to the GRC, described as a "free will offering."
  • Some members were discouraged from seeking medical treatment, with Ryan Carey telling the inquiry that a close friend had died from cancer due toWaiting for a healing by prayer.
  • The couple, Catherine and Ryan Carey, allege that some who have left the GRC have gone on to commit suicide or died as a result of alcohol and drug abuse.

Statistics:

  • 9: The number of children abused by the Sunday school teacher.
  • 2-3 days: The time it took for the church leader to contact the police after learning that the abuser had already turned himself in.
  • 650: The number of members the GRC had at its peak.
  • 200: The current number of members in the GRC.
  • 10%: The amount of salary that members were expected to donate to the GRC.
  • 12 terabytes: The amount of child pornography deleted by the abuser.

Sources:

  • Catherine and Ryan Carey, former members of the Geelong Revival Centre.
  • Richard Baker, journalist and creator of the LiSTNR podcast series Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder.
  • Victorian parliamentary inquiry into the practices of cults and organised fringe groups.
  • Geelong Revival Centre.
  • Lifeline crisis support service (13 11 14).
  • Samaritans crisis support service (UK and Ireland) (116 123).
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (US) (988).
  • Befrienders international helplines (befrienders.org).