Hillsong’s alleged ‘rape culture’: Call for police investigation
A federal MP has demanded a police inquiry into claims about Hillsong College and what it does with its students. Listen to the podcast.
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Police must launch an urgent investigation into claims about Hillsong College’s alleged “rape culture”, an Independent Federal MP has demanded.
The Christian megachurch has been accused of teaching young women to physically “submit” to their husbands, while students at its college are asked invasive questions about their sex lives.
Andrew Wilkie, the Federal member for Clark in Tasmania, called on Sunday for an urgent police probe into the allegations, which were uncovered by the Faith On Trial podcast.
Mr Wilkie said the claims of a ‘rape culture’ were “very serious allegations”.
“We have very serious allegations on the table of adults being effectively forced to divulge to college management their complete sexual history.
Mr Wilkie said the NSW police should “initiate their own investigation”.
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“Of course, I call on the whistleblowers as well to approach the police if they’re comfortable doing that,” he said.
“The New South Wales Police needs to today, not next week, not next month, not when the political pressure gets too much, not when more evidence is rolled out through the podcast - get on the front foot. Aim to protect these people if the allegations are true. And for heaven’s sake, conduct an investigation and ensure there is no evil lurking in Hillsong College.”
Mr Wilkie said the claims of a ‘rape culture’ were “very serious allegations”.
Mr Wilkie had written to New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb
raising concerns about Hillsong after speaking to one of the whistleblowers.
It’s understood that he received a reply from an officer at the Castle Hill police station in Sydney’s west.
Police had identified potential crimes in the allegations raised by Mr Wilkie, however police needed anyone affected to come forward with specific details.
Five women separately alleged that Hillsong taught in its college courses, which cover ministry and theology, that women should physically “submit” to their husbands.
Hillsong College also asks young women who attend its courses if they have had sex, been drunk or watched porn in the preceding 12 months.
It’s alleged anyone who says yes to any of those questions is prevented from working with children.
Hillsong says on its website that it asked college students about “premarital sex, pornography and adultery” because they were considered “sexual sins”.
“Our rationale for asking this question is that applicants are seeking to gain entrance into a course that trains them for Christian leadership and ministry,” the website states.
“Such vocations have high moral and professional standards. These questions are part of our efforts to gauge their suitability and preparedness to undertake such a program of training.”
The church added: “Applicants are seeking to become members of our student community. We take our duty of care to our students very seriously.
Consequently, we seek to gauge whether an applicant is likely to be a safe member of our student body.”
stephen.drill@news.com.au
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