All Sexual abuse articles
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OpinionChris Brain has been brought to justice. The Church must now confront spiritual abuse
Chris Brain’s conviction of indecent assault has brought justice but it also raises deeper questions about power, coercion, and spiritual abuse within the Church. Hayley Chapman-Todd explores how the Church is beginning to respond to the issue of spiritual abuse and what more must be done
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ReviewsInside the Cult of the Jesus Army is a sensitive portrayal of the pain of abuse
Focusing on former members as they unpack the trauma inflicted by years of coercion, control and abuse within the Jesus Army, a new BBC documentary lays bare the grim reality the cult managed to mask for decades. Watching it, Tim Wyatt says, there’s little to do but weep with them
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Real Life‘The Jesus Army nearly broke my faith – but Christ’s teachings still sustain me’
The Jesus Fellowship Church started as a small Christian commune but became one of the most abusive cults in Britain. Since closing in 2019, it has paid out more than £7.7m in compensation to abuse survivors and twelve members have been convicted of sexual offences. John Everett shares his story of how he was recruited into the Jesus Army, and what happened when he left
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OpinionDr Michael Brown has been accused of sexual misconduct. He should not return to ministry
An independent report has said the prominent Christian apologist Dr Michael Brown engaged in “sexually abusive misconduct” yet those who commissioned the report have cleared him to return to ministry. We must not confuse forgiveness with re-admittance to leadership - it’s re-traumatising for victims and unsafe for the Church, argues Gavin Drake
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OpinionKathleen Stock and Laurence Fox are testing the bounds of free speech. I know who I side with
Free speech protects great minds discussing ideas, not small minds abusing people, says George Pitcher, as he looks at the recent cases of Laurence Fox and Kathleen Stock
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OpinionShahida Bibi was forced to convert to Islam and married against her will. Now she’s free
Shahida Bibi was abducted, forced to convert from Christianity to Islam and sexually exploited. Tragically, she is only one of many girls who endure this fate. Her restored freedom is a sign of hope, but the fight against forced conversion and child marriage is far from over, says Tehmina Arora
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OpinionThe Church of England must change in order for women to be safe
When the Bishop of Warrington made a complaint against her boss, the Bishop of Liverpool, she was sent on study leave while he remained in position – until a Channel 4 investigation shone a light on the story. If women are ever to feel safe in the Church, things have to change, says Martine Oborne
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News AnalysisHow long, O Lord? David Fletcher is the latest conservative evangelical to be exposed as an abuser
Rev David Fletcher, brother to Jonathan and named in the Makin report as being instrumental in the cover up of John Smythe’s abuse, has himself now been accused of abuse. Tim Wyatt explores what happened, and what needs to change in the conservative evangelical church world to ensure such horrors cannot occur again
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News AnalysisExplained: Who is Mike Bickle and what are the allegations against him?
The founder of the International House of Prayer Mike Bickle sexually abused 17 people, while his ministry engaged in a cover-up. That’s according to a new independent investigation whose report was released this week
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Testimonies'God saved me from drugs, prison and homelessness'
A tumultuous childhood marked by sexual abuse led Rob Wery to start abusing substances at the age of seven. After more drug use and gang involvement, he ended up in the same prison as two of his children. That’s when God broke into his life
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ReviewsFor our daughters: When womanhood is defined by submission to men, it opens the door to abuse
A new documentary attempts to explain how abuse has been allowed to fester in US evangelical churches. Greg Garrett says For Our Daughters is urgent and important, and will challenge Christians to return to the way of Christ
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OpinionFrom Harrods to the Church, we must stand up to abusive leaders
The culture that allowed allegations of rape against Mohamed Al Fayed to go unchallenged for so long must change, says Susie Flashman Jarvis. And the Church must learn those same lessons, too
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News AnalysisExplained: Who is Father Marko Rupnik and why are there calls to remove his art?
The disgraced Jesuit has already been excommunicated by the Catholic Church, following sexual infidelity. Now, as the Church awaits the findings of a new abuse investigation, survivors are calling for his once-popular mosaics to be taken down
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Real Life‘I was shot at point-blank range – twice! But God saved me’
After surviving sexual abuse, drug addiction and an assassination attempt, Tommy Hanrahan became a church leader – and saw both his abuser and would-be murderer come to Christ
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OpinionThe complicated case of Russell Brand’s (sort-of) conversion
How do we cheer on someone’s walk towards Christ without minimising the pain of their past actions? As Russell Brand speaks of needing a personal relationship with Jesus months after being accused of sexual offences, Emma Fowle explores
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OpinionWestminster abuse allegations are in the headlines. But our churches need to change too
Former MP Nadine Dorries’ new book contains a series of shocking allegations of rape, sexual abuse and misogyny in the halls of Westminster. Tragically, it’s nothing new, says Bekah Legg. Christians and churches need to equip themselves to respond appropriately
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OpinionAbuse and violence against women is rife. Why does it keep happening?
From Lawrence Fox’s misogynistic comments to allegations against Russell Brand and the murder of Elianne Andam, there is one common thread. Men who see women as objects. It isn’t how God created us, says Bekah Legg
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ReviewsThe Secrets of Hillsong
The latest TV docuseries to scrutinise Hillsong’s failings is the most thorough and fairest yet. As Carl Lentz gives his first interview since being fired from the megachurch, Sam Hailes argues that we can’t blame the media for wanting to shine a light on abuse and moral failings in the Church. It’s time to learn the lessons
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Magazine FeaturesI used to be Ravi Zacharias’ spokesperson. Here’s what I’ve learned about complicity and corruption
Ruth Malhotra was working as Ravi Zacharias’ spokesperson when abuse allegations were first made against the apologist. The revelations began a journey that would take her from spokesperson to whistleblower to advocate
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OpinionPastors guilty of sexual abuse should never be restored to ministry
High profile US pastor Johnny Hunt was restored to ministry despite serious allegations of sexual misconduct. What happened to permanent disqualification, asks Beth Allison Barr. And what does it say to the women in their congregations?
