Children of God member reveals rampant child sex abuse for cash on the Gold Coast

A survivor has spoken out on the horrific acts inflicted by the leaders of a vile cult known as Children of God. WATCH THE DOCO

A sadistic cult that encouraged child sexual abuse took donations from outsiders they called “kings” in exchange for access to teen girls, survivors have revealed.

An investigation into the Australian arm of the Children of God cult, also known as The Family International, has found that children were not only abused within the group, but were also given to outsiders in exchange for cash donations.

Psychologist and convenor of a support group for Children of God survivors Maria Esguerra said she was aware the cult exploited multiple women and girls for donations.

“I am definitely aware of people being exploited and used by the cult,” she said.

“There is so much evidence that women and girls were used in this way.

“Anyone that was willing to pay money had full access.”

Former cult members have revealed this occurred around Australia, including on the Gold Coast.

Children of God late founder David Berg. Picture: davidberg.org

The US-based cult was formed in California in the late 1960s by failed preacher David Berg and spread around the world.

Children lived in groups of 20 or 30 in suburban homes, usually separated from their parents, where they were underfed, violently disciplined and went without proper schooling or medical care.

The cult was prolific in Australia and in the 1990s, commune houses in Melbourne and Sydney were raided and more than 100 children taken away.

Screenshots from Channel 9's A Current Affair footage of Children of God raids from the 90s in Melbourne. Picture: Channel 9

They were later returned after authorities failed to find evidence of criminal activity, with children taught what to say should police question them.

Those children are now adults who have never seen justice.

Screenshots from Channel 9's A Current Affair footage of Children of God raids from the 90s in Melbourne. Picture: Channel 9

“They were called ‘kings’,” one woman, who was born into the cult, said.

“It was very common for people (inside the cult) to turn a blind eye. It was, let’s get a donation and then you can have my daughter.

“It was very common that we were given to these gross, disgusting men. They were giving donations and had full access to these young, gorgeous girls.

“Nobody cared about protecting us.”

The woman said she was held down and groped by one man on the Gold Coast, who was later charged with child sex offences involving behaviour unrelated to the cult.

She said many children born into the cult had developed complex mental health problems and had ongoing health issues because of a lack of medical care – including not being vaccinated and never receiving dental treatment.

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