Geelong ‘cult’ facing legal action from ex-members

A Geelong “doomsday cult” is facing legal action from ex-members, as lawyers reveal they are investigating evidence and allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

A Geelong “doomsday cult” is facing legal action from ex-members, as lawyers reveal they are investigating evidence and allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

Numerous former members of the Geelong Revival Centre (GRC) have spoken to Shine Lawyers abuse specialists in the weeks since ex-members spoke out against the Norlane-based church in the Geelong Advertiser.

Shine Lawyers abuse law practice leader Amy Olver said she’d spoke with multiple former members about launching legal action.

“Their accounts of what they’ve been through are staggering,” Ms Ovler said. “There’s evidence of physical and emotional abuse, and allegations of sexual abuse have also been raised.”

A Norlane-based church is facing legal action since ex-members spoke about the ‘doomsday cult”. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We are investigating these allegations, which could form the basis of civil claims brought against the organisation. Such claims would likely seek compensation not just for the physical injuries survivors have endured, but the psychological scars they’ve been left with too

“In instances where people are born into groups like this, the abuse often starts from a very young age, and becomes what they consider to be a normal way of life. In reality, it’s about as far from normal as you can get.

“Members looking to leave these groups are often ostracised by their own families, compounding the trauma. The courage of the former members who’ve reached out to us is remarkable.

“Shine has acted for thousands of abuse survivors and I would encourage any former members of the Geelong Revival Centre to come forward and seek justice of their own.”

Former members Jane and Brad spoke about their experience with the Geelong Advertiser. Picture: Alison Wynd

The threat of legal actions comes after police were called to the Thompson Rd church last week, as A Current Affair film crews attended the venue as they prepare a story on the group.

A series of ex-GRC members shared their stories of life in the secretive Pentecostal group with the Geelong Advertiser last month, with their concerns and experiences including:

MEDICAL treatments shunned in favour of prayer, including medical intervention for mental health issues and even cancer.

PHYSICAL abuse of children encouraged for discipline.

SEX before marriage forbidden, with members who break the rule kicked out of the church for two years, and women who break the rule not allowed to wear white on any future wedding day.

MEMBERS being forced to cut off all former members of the church, including parents, spouses and children.

A BELIEF the world will end soon, with only members of the church set to be saved.

“It was a doomsday cult in every means of the words,” a former member said.

Multiple former members said the push against medicine was most appallingly displayed when the suicide note of an 18-year-old former member was read out to a congregation in the early 2000s.

“A young person had come along with her parents, but she stopped coming after a while,” another ex-member said. “The letter he read out, I remember it very clearly … he read the letter, she was depressed, very, very upset, and it was a suicide note. And at the end of it he said ‘see what happens when people leave the lord, this is what happens to them’. I was personally revolted by that.

When contacted by the Geelong Advertiser a GRC spokesperson declined to respond to specific allegations, but suggested they were lies.

“These people are going around making all sorts of false claims, even posting lies on the internet,” they said. “We’re not interested in getting involved in a fight with them, they can say what they like, and we’ll just get on with our job.”

“They want to try to give us trouble because they have a problem. Look, we’ve been called all sorts of names. No I wouldn’t bother [responding to claims the GRC is a cult].”

Originally published as Geelong ‘cult’ facing legal action from ex-members