Former Hillsong leader Brian Houston’s daughter opens up about heavy heart after verdict

The daughter of the former Hillsong leader has shared a message after her father was found not guilty of concealing sexual abuse in the church.

Brian Houston‘s daughter has spoken out after her father was found not guilty of concealing his father’s sexual abuse in the Hillsong Church.

After a long-running hearing, the 69-year-old was found not guilty on Thursday to one count of concealing the serious indictable offence his father committed after months of denying allegations he failed to inform police.

“Today, I sat beside my Dad in a courtroom and exhaled with an overwhelming sense of relief & gratitude,” Laura Toganivalu, 36, said in a post shared to Instagram on Thursday night.

Former Hillsong leader Brian Houston was found not guilty of concealing his father’s sexual abuse. Picture: Instagram

His daughter Laura Toganivalu shared a message of support on social media. Picture: Instagram

“However, today is still marked by the painful reality that victims of abuse have to live with forever, and for that, my heart will always remain heavy.”

She recalled for the first time, the moment her father confided in her about her grandfather’s sexual abuse of children in the church while she was just a teenager.

“I came home from school one day and my Dad sat me down and told me he had recently learned of evil acts perpetrated by my grandfather toward a child,” she wrote.

“I will never forget the pain & trembling in his voice as he told me these things and grappled with the reality that his father was not the mean he knew him to be.”

Mrs Toganivalu and her husband Peter (left) stepped down as global pastors of the Hillsong Church’s youth ministry in May. Picture: Instagram

Mrs Toganivalu and her husband Peter stepped down as global pastors of the Hillsong Church’s youth ministry, Hillsong Young & Free, in May.

Outside court on Thursday, Mr Houston told reporters he wanted to “impress his sadness” to his father’s victim, Brett Sengstock, and all the victims of the late New Zealand and Australian church leader.

“He (Frank Houston) was obviously a serial pedophile,” Mr Houston said.

Brian Houston (centre) arrives with his supporters at the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Mr Houston expressed his sadness for his father’s victims. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

“We will probably never know the extent of his pedophilia.

“A lot of people have been hurt, and for that I am very sad.

“But, I am not my father. I did not commit this offence.”

Mr Sengstock was sexually assaulted by Frank Houston at his family’s Coogee home while he was on a tour of Australia more than 50 years ago.

At the time, Mr Sengstock was seven years old, and Frank Houston, then a New Zealand-based preacher, was a close friend of his parents.

Brian Houston’s legal team had argued the Pentecostal preacher had a “reasonable excuse” not to come forward because of Mr Sengstock’s wishes.

Originally published as Former Hillsong leader Brian Houston’s daughter opens up about heavy heart after verdict