WINGS Note: The authors are all meeting participants. They fear backlash from writing this. It has been sent to all Australian overseers.

---

29th April 2024

Recently, the overseer of Qld issued a statement regarding a worker who has allegations of inappropriate behaviours with children.

Unfortunately, the overseer’s statement contains misinformation. The statement was published on his behalf via workers in regional areas and then through unwitting Elders to the general fellowship. The overseer has refused to respond to many emailed communications to him from members of the church regarding this matter, therefore we felt that a public response was our only choice to make it known that there are inconsistencies in his statement.

We, the families of some of the victims, would like to correct the misrepresentations. Our information has been obtained from correspondence and a face-to-face meeting with the Detective Senior Constable from the Queensland Police Child Abuse and Sexual Crimes Group.

For those who have ongoing concerns regarding the worker’s alleged behaviour, we hope the following information helps provide clarity.

The overseer’s full statement read:

This is to inform everyone that for the second time XXXXX XXXXX has been investigated by the police and thoroughly so, without any charges being laid and the investigation is to proceed no further. None of the allegations made against XXXXX have been substantiated or confirmed and there is no credible evidence that he has ever harmed a child. So we don’t have any reasonable grounds for restricting XXXXX from attending any meetings.

We address the misinformation below:

1 . This is not the second investigation against XXXXX. The current investigation is a continuation of an investigation that began several years prior.

2. The investigation has not been completed.

3. It is correct that no charges have been laid, however it should also be added that this statement is only true up to this point in time.

4. It is misleading to state that the investigation is to proceed no further. The investigation is not closed, it is ongoing. As new information is continued to be obtained, the allegations of harm to children will be continued to be investigated.

5. While it is true that none of the allegations have been “substantiated or confirmed” to any legal standards of proof, the Police have taken all the allegations from children, their families, and the wider community, seriously. According to the police, some allegations clearly fall within the legal definition of causing harm to children. Unfortunately, many victims are unable, or do not wish to come forward, or do not wish to provide evidence in criminal proceedings. The reasons for this are well documented. This does not make their allegations any less credible.

6. The overseer suggests that there is no credible evidence that XXXXX has harmed a child. The police have a number of allegations and witness statements. Some of those statements and evidence do not meet the prosecutorial standard required for a conviction, however each statement helps provide a clear picture of a sustained pattern of behaviour. Regardless of the information collected by the police, there are also multiple witnesses that have brought their accounts before the overseers and workers. Unfortunately, the overseers and workers have not given credence to the victims. Rather, the opposite is true.

7. It is erroneous to suggest there are no reasonable grounds to prevent XXXXX from attending meetings. The statement does not state whether the intention is in private or public places, however, there are reasonable grounds to prevent XXXXX from attending public religious services. It is actually unreasonable for him to attend.

These grounds relate to; the purpose to alleviate the potential risk of harm to children, and the obligation to keep children safe.

These grounds are based on the legal requirements according to QLD law: Failing to take steps to protect children from sexual offenders is an offence.

• A person in a position of power or responsibility within an institution to reduce or remove a known risk of sexual offending against a child by an adult associated with an institution.
• The failure to protect offence applies if you are 18 or older and associated with an institution that has children in its care, supervision or control.
• You know there is a significant risk that another adult also associated with the institution (or who is a regulated volunteer) will commit a sexual offence against a child or children.
• You have the power or responsibility to reduce or remove the risk but wilfully or negligently fail to reduce or remove the risk.

The grounds to exclude XXXXX from meetings is also stipulated within the ‘zero- tolerance’ policy statements written. This policy was and signed personally by all Australian (except WA) and New Zealand overseers, and issued publicly in 2023 

• The correspondence from the overseers’ states that workers will ‘listen’ and ‘believe’ victims who states allegations of child sexual assault.
• The correspondence also says: “There is no place for people who have harmed children in our meetings and conventions; we ask any individual with a history of causing harm, or allegations, or convictions not to attend. This includes public gospel meeting”. 

We would also like to remind overseers that some years ago, when XXXXX was sent to labour in SA, the overseer of SA considered XXXXX’s behaviour around children so disturbing, he removed this worker from the ministry. The SA overseer sent the worker back to Qld on the understanding that he would not be permitted back into the ministry. Unfortunately, and possibly illegally, the worker was allowed back into the ministry by Qld overseers. If the behaviour was considered to be a risk to children then, it should still be considered a risk to children now.

While the statement from the overseer insinuates that the matter is closed, it is not. There is no statute of limitations to report child sexual abuse, therefore victims and their families can still come forward when they are ready. We know that the average time for a victim to disclose child sexual abuse is 23.9 years. Men often take longer to disclose than women. Some victims never disclose.

If you have further information about XXXXX, or any other alleged child sex offences, including grooming, and even if you think it is insignificant, please contact Queensland Police, and more specifically, please contact Child Abuse and Sexual Crimes Group. This also includes reporting those who have failed their legal duty of care to report any possible or alleged breaches.

Please also, consider reporting your story to The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand, so that your information can be added to their database, and you can receive support and advice. Specific contact details for the Detective in charge can also be obtained from The Brave Truth’, ph 0489 994 566.

Signed,

A group of concerned families and survivors.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-28/fbi-investigating-historical-sex-abuse-claims-against-two-by-two/103767698

In a joint statement, the sect’s Australian leaders Malcolm Clapham, Graeme Dalton, Wayne Dean, Trevor Joll, Alan Mitchell, Steven Thorpe, who are based across several states, told the ABC they took allegations of child sexual abuse seriously.

“We are aware of some historic cases where individuals who were respected within the fellowship abused people’s trust,” they said.

“We acknowledge that these matters were not always appropriately addressed in the past, and we are truly sorry for any immeasurable long-term damage to victims.

“We have learnt from these experiences and are constantly reviewing our current practices to keep children safe in our fellowship.”

They said their intention is to partner with an expert external organisation to review their “policies and procedures and provide independent, unbiased advice and recommendations, particularly in relation to dealing with allegations received from third parties where information can be lacking and difficult to substantiate”.

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WINGS Note:

The table below shows some of the key events that have created publicity in Australia. Questions some ask are why did it take so long for overseers to promulgate policies, and are the policies being implemented thoroughly.

2008	WINGS was established with representatives from USA, Canada and Australia. https://wingsfortruth.info/
2012	WINGS published a transcript of a sermon by New Zealand worker Graham Thompson, well known in Australia, which provided clear guidance on dealing with child abuse. https://wingsfortruth.info/responding-to-csa/sermon-by-graham-thompson/
2012	Victorian State Government commenced an enquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Organisations. The report was published in 2013. https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/inquiry-into-the-handling-of-child-abuse-by-religious-and-other-organisations/
2013	A Code of Conduct was published by WINGS, developed with the support of several workers and friends, and issued to provide a model for overseers to use in their various territories. https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/04/01/csa-code-of-conduct-2013/
2013	The Australian Federal Government commenced a Royal Commission Inquiry into CSA in Australian Institutions. The final report was published in 2017 https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/
2013	Publicity in the Melbourne Age about abuse within the fellowship. https://wingsfortruth.info/2013/09/25/articles-in-the-age-melbourne-australia/
2019	60 Minutes Programme in Australia had a 25 minute feature on child abuse cases within the fellowship in Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch
2019 to 2021	Child Safety Codes and Policies were issued in Australian States Victoria, Tasmania, NSW, ACT, South Australia, Northern Territory, West Australia and Queensland. https://wingsfortruth.info/resources/
2023	Australia/NZ Overseers’ Letter to the Church. https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/07/01/australia-nz-letter-to-the-church/
2023	Australian support group ‘The Brave Truth Australia’ created. https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/06/30/australian-support-group-created/
2023	Australia / New Zealand Overseers Create Advisory Group. https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/08/18/australasian-overseers-create-advisory-group/
2023	Convention Guidelines issued, with reminder that Child Safe Policy and Workers Code of Conduct are available on request. https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/10/26/convention-arrangements-for-australia-and-new-zealand/

Dear friends,

I am very sorry to have to write to you today about our brother Albert Clark. We have recently received knowledge of allegations against him of CSA that date to over 40 years ago. In light of this evidence, we have reported what we know to the authorities in the region where it occurred, and we feel it is best for Albert to stop being active in the ministry. Albert is in agreement with this decision.

Albert has expressed that he is sorry for any harm it has caused, directly and indirectly. I appreciate his humility and his acceptance, and we recognize that it is possible that he has never done anything of this nature since that time. At the same time, we have decided that because he has been engaged in that kind of activity, it is better for him not to be in the work now.

Any kind of sexual activity with a child is wrong, according to the law in our country and more importantly, according to God. There are no exceptions to this, and an adult is always responsible for their conduct toward a child. These kind of actions can’t be undone and they often leave psychological scars that last a lifetime. It’s not that it can’t be forgiven, but it seems that it is much better to address it and deal with it no matter how hard it is. We certainly feel for the victims, and want to be a support in the right way.

Especially if one of our workers has done something of this nature, we hope that everyone would feel free to tell us, and feel free report it to the local authorities. It is important for us to know because the workers are circulating in your homes regularly, and we want to do our part to ensure everyone’s safety. We want to remind you also that if you know about someone who is currently a minor and has been or is being abused, you are legally responsible to report it to law enforcement.

I don’t feel qualified to speak a lot about this subject of CSA, but we have learned through studying about it, and through talking with survivors and experienced professionals about it. We know that this is something that usually happens in secret, and it is very difficult to be open about it; for both the victim and the perpetrator. There is often a lot of shame and hurt associated with it. It often doesn’t come to light until many years afterwards. We try to be understanding and empathetic, but really we know that we won’t be able to truly enter into another person’s difficult and traumatic experience. We’re thankful that God understands and He wants to help us to find healing and comfort. We want to help too, and we are praying to know how to be an encouragement and help to those who are burdened by these heavy trials of life.

We believe and know that there is a path forward for every human being, that leads to life with God. No matter what we have done and no matter what has happened to us. That is the simple truth that we are devoting our life to share. We need help from Him to see that path; and we need humility, courage and self-denial to walk in it. We greatly appreciate those who help us to see the path forward, most of all Jesus who is the perfect example. There is no amount of confusion or deception that can hinder us from going forward in this way, as long as we stay close to him, and keep our eyes on him.

Your brother, Jonathan.

---

WINGS Note: This is from Johnathon Freeburn in New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada.

Albert Clark has been a worker in Halifax-Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

FBI investigates reports of historical child sexual abuse within sect also operating in New Zealand

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/514661/fbi-investigates-reports-of-historical-child-sexual-abuse-within-sect-also-operating-in-new-zealand

By Amy Williams of RNZ

WARNING: Story contains distressing content about sexual abuse

A victim advocate says police are investigating multiple reports of historical child sexual abuse within a secretive house-church that has operated in New Zealand for over a century and is being investigated by the FBI.

The religious group meets in homes and has no official name but is commonly known as Two by Twos to those who have left, and The Truth to those who belong.

The FBI is investigating the sect in America, where more than 700 alleged offenders have been reported to a hotline. There have also been reports of abuse in the UK and Australia.

It has taken a high-profile FBI investigation overseas and multiple reports of child abuse in other countries for New Zealand victims to come forward.

Jillian Hishon grew up in the sect in Australia, but left the religious group when she married someone who was not part of it.

She now runs a hotline set up for Australasian victims of the sect known as The Truth, after evidence of child abuse emerged in America last year, and has been fielding calls from New Zealanders.

“To date, they are all historical child sexual abuse, so they’ve happened years ago. So these people who have abused, some are still in the church, so some of the abusers are still in the church, they’re still attending meetings, some of them, some have been removed, others have already passed away.”

Hishon said of the 140 perpetrators identified on the hotline, 20 per cent were from New Zealand.

She said people have kept a lid on their trauma for years.

“It’s been swept under the rug, you know, you think you’re the only person and next thing you find out, oh no, there’s actually probably someone in my meeting that was abused, they’ve just been told by the ministers to just put a lid on it and be quiet, and ‘oh we’ll deal with it’, and nothing ever gets done.”

A current member of the Christian sect who was born into it spoke to RNZ but did not wish to be identified.

They said there were between 50 and 60 leaders, known as Workers within the sect, who travel in pairs and stay in houses of sect members, known as Friends, where meetings were held.

“They still stay in homes because it’s an itinerant ministry. That is one thing I think needs to change, that they don’t stay in the homes of families with children,” they said.

“The culture of don’t talk about bad things, don’t make trouble … for the most part historically you didn’t go to police, you didn’t go to media. I think the culture is you don’t talk about it. It’s damaging.”

Hishon said the nature of the meetings in homes created an unfortunate environment for abuse.

“You could have two men come and stay in the home where there’s, you know, four young children and because we trust these people in the church, there could be plenty of time for misadventure.”

The member who spoke to RNZ said they understand there were at least half a dozen historical child sexual abuse reports under investigation by police in New Zealand, of people linked to the sect – some of whom were still actively involved.

They said the sect’s lack of a name was going to make it hard for the police to find a pattern and link the reports of abuse.

RNZ understands police have received complaints relating to alleged child abuse by people within the sect but police have not confirmed this.

Religious expert, professor emeritus of history at Massey University Peter Lineham, said the secretive sect has been active in New Zealand for 120 years.

He has been researching the sect since the 1970s, and said the esteem awarded to the leaders who travelled house-to-house, called the Workers, created a power imbalance.

“Potentially, this is a very vulnerable group of people because in effect the very high respect held towards the Workers or the Two by Twos meant that the ordinary people really had no other point of reference that they could compare notes about what might be happening.”

Lineham said the sect appears to follow Christian beliefs but had a rigorous separation from society and refusal to identify as a group – which made it challenging for those wanting to report abuse.

“If there are issues within them, it’s very difficult to come to terms with those issues because this person may deny that they are a follower of anything when challenged.”

Around 20 people who had left the Two by Twos had spoken to him over the years and all carried shame and guilt and spoke about their dislike for certain leaders, he said.

“What I have seen is [an] extraordinary sort of shame about the group, the feeling that in some way or other this group was in their heads, they couldn’t get it out [of their head], they felt guilty for leaving, they found it very hard to make the break, and that’s the classic behaviour of people who have been in a very closed sectarian group.”

Hishon said she knew of three people linked to the sect who had been forced to leave after reports of child abuse.

But there were others accused who remained in the sect, she said.

“We’re talking about the safety of children, and the safety of victims already. Like you could be sitting in a meeting in somebody’s home and the person sitting across from you mightn’t be your perpetrator but you know that they’re an alleged perpetrator.”

She said it was hard for people to speak out.

“It’s almost a brainwashing of what they’re preaching to make you think like that’s the only place to be kind of thing until you actually get out of the church … for somebody like myself with a Christian faith to realise that God is so much bigger than just this little church, this little faith group, and that maybe what I’ve been taught for the first 39 years of my life, was not exactly how it is.”

Response from the church

New Zealand spokesperson Wayne Dean said he was aware that police were investigating at least one former minister for alleged historical sexual abuse.

The church encouraged any victims of historical sexual abuse to go to the police, he said.

Any alleged offender was stood down from attending church meetings pending investigation, he said.

“I am aware of 14 cases of members that have been asked not to attend meetings,” he said.

“We take every report seriously. Even when it is only considered as inappropriate behaviour. As are some of the cases being dealt with at present.”

Workers have a written Code of Conduct which they signed and were expected to adhere to in all situations, including when they were in members’ homes, he said.

Dean said all workers had to undertake formal and refresher training to keep children safe and perpetrators were banned from meetings arranged by the ministry.

The fellowship fully cooperates with police investigations and reporting of child abuse was encouraged, he said.

“We have done risk management plans and put procedures in place to mitigate the risk of further abuse happening,” he said.

“We acknowledge that these matters were not always appropriately addressed in the past, and we are truly sorry for any immeasurable long-term damage to victims. We have learnt from these experiences, and are constantly reviewing our current practices to keep children safe in our fellowship.”

The church intends to have an expert external organisation to review its policies and procedures and provide independent advice and recommendations, he said.

Currently the church would have an estimated 2500 members across New Zealand, he said.

In two letters posted on a website for the sect’s members last year, its Australian and New Zealand leaders, called Overseers, acknowledged cases of child sexual abuse within the group overseas and said anyone who had been affected by “sexual abuse in our fellowship including workers, reporting to appropriate authorities is required by law and we are available to speak to any people with concerns”.

They said they had a zero tolerance to harming children and set up an advisory group to develop a standard policy and approach for child abuse prevention and survivor support.

“We have communicated our zero tolerance with respect to the harming of children, young people, or anyone within our fellowship and have begun actions to support this stance. The impact of child sexual abuse is devastating and far reaching. Our thoughts are with each one of you who have been affected.”

The FBI declined to comment on whether it had alerted police in New Zealand to its investigation of the 2x2s sect.

Its Omaha Field Office said in February this year that it was seeking the public’s help in identifying victims or individuals with knowledge of abuse and/or criminal behaviour that has occurred within a religious group that traditionally has not had a name.

“The group has often been referred to by others outside of the group as “2×2,” “The Way,” “The Truth,” and “The Church With No Name,” among others,” the FBI said.

“While it is natural for parents to want to gain a better understanding of the potential exploitation of their child, further questioning of the child may lead to inaccurate statements and increased emotional trauma.”

The FBI asked people with information to fill out a short questionnaire.

Where to get help:

Sexual Violence

NZ Police

Victim Support 0800 842 846

Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00

Rape Prevention Education

Empowerment Trust

HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655 – push 0 at the menu

Safe to talk: a 24/7 confidential helpline for survivors, support people and those with harmful sexual behaviour: 0800044334

Male Survivors Aotearoa

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 022 344 0496

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Family Violence

Women’s Refuge:(0800 733 843

It’s Not OK 0800 456 450

Shine: 0508 744 633

Victim Support: 0800 842 846

HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655 – push 0 at the menu

The National Network of Family Violence Services NZ has information on specialist family violence agencies.

Abuse survivors

For male survivors –

Road Forward Trust, Wellington, contact Richard 0211181043

Better Blokes Auckland, 099902553

The Canterbury Men’s Centre, 03 3776747

The Male Room, Nelson 035480403

Male Survivors, Waikato 07 8584112

Male Survivors, Otago 0211064598

For female survivors –

Help Wellington, 048016655

Help, Auckland 09 623 1296.

For urgent help: Safe To Talk 0800044334.

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WINGS Note: Additional reports have now been published.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/515215/the-truth-2×2-religious-sect-confirms-police-investigation

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nz-members-of-church-under-fbi-investigation-want-answers-over-child-sexual-abuse/KQVIUNRRHJFQ7GNJNZT34LS7ZE

WINGS Note: This correspondence was marked as Confidential / Not to be distributed, as it included the name of an alleged perpetrator. The Brave Truth have redacted the sensitive details and provided permission for this post. They comment:

On the 16th February 2024, The Brave Truth started communication with Graeme Dalton, State Overseer for New South Wales, Australia with regards to an alleged perpetrator.

We have been very clear with our correspondence to the Overseers and advised previously that will make them aware when we have either 1 Police report, or 3 victim reports without a Police report so they can uphold their own policy of removing alleged perpetrators as per their letter of 1 July 2023. In this case, we have 3 Police reports and also an email in our possession of 2 other Overseers knowing of a victim/s in 2021.

It is heart-breaking for any victim-survivor to see how these cases are dealt with and also very important for the wider ‘friends’ community to understand who they are meeting with.

We are honoured to be able to advocate confidentially for victim-survivors in these situations.

---

From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Friday, 16 February 2024 2:31 PM
To: xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com; xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: Confidential: XXXXX XXXXX

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
PO Box 5275 MANLY Q 4179
Email: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org

Confidential letter for Graeme Dalton and Lynn Sherlock only.

Not to be distributed.

Dear Graeme and Lynn,

We are writing to advise you that 3 Police Intelligence Reports have been completed concerning XXXXX XXXXX of (Western NSW). This relates to historical unlawful and indecent dealings of persons under 16 years of age. We bring this notification to you in good faith – understanding we are not personally making allegations, but passing on in a private capacity that separate reports have been made.

As leaders of your church fellowship, and in line with your published written comments, we believe you have an interest in receiving this information as you may want to take specific action.

We would appreciate your confirmation of what action you take as it is important to provide confidential feedback to those who have made the reports to us.

By privately and confidentially sharing this factual information within the protection of Qualified Privilege, we’re hopeful that it will help us all to keep children and vulnerable people safe and we want to work with you as much as possible in order to do this. We anticipate by sharing this information it will help expedite this process.

Sincerely,

Jillian Hishon (for and on behalf of many concerned survivors, friends & children)

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275 Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org P: +61 489 994 566

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From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 21 February 2024 2:17 PM
To: xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Cc: xxxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Confidential: XXXXX XXXXX

Dear Graeme & Lynn,

We are following up our earlier email concerning XXXXX XXXXX as almost a week has now passed and we have not received a response from you.

We would be pleased to hear from you by close of business this Friday (23rd February 2024) that necessary steps have been taken to keep children and other victims of sexual assault safe in the fellowship. Please confirm that XXXXX XXXXX will no longer be attending any church gatherings and the relevant elders have been notified.

It is important that we are able to relay this information to all victim-survivors for them to be assured that there is zero-tolerance, as promised by all Overseers, is being enforced. All correspondence will be added to victim-survivor Police reports.

Whilst our preference is to work with you in relation to information that is supplied to us, if this does not occur, we will have no option but to take the matter further.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, Jillian Hishon

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275 Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org P: +61 489 994 566

---

From: Graeme Dalton <xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, 22 February 2024 7:11 AM
To: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Subject: Re: Confidential: XX

Dear Jillian

Thanks for your email and the information you have provided regarding XX.

Our intention is that we want to protect children and act on all information provided to us.

As the allegations mentioned in your email have not come directly from a survivor, I would appreciate further information in assisting us in taking action. This will enable us to comply with the Royal Commission requirements and NSW mandatory reporting requirements.

Would you please provide the following information:

1. That the survivor/s has/have given consent for me to be notified;
2. That the survivor/s has/have given permission for the matter to be raised with the alleged perpetrator;
3. The number of survivors who have made a police intelligence report;
4. The age of the survivor/s at the time of abuse;
5. Place/s where the abuse occurred;
6. The role WW in the fellowship at the time of the abuse; and
7. Timeframe of abuse.

We note your request in relation to privacy and confidentiality, and assure you that we will use this information only for the purpose of acting appropriately to safeguard children in the fellowship.

Please make any survivors aware that we have an application in to the redress scheme and have received ministerial approval, and that I am at all times willing to speak to any survivor with a mediator present, if they feel comfortable.

Regards,

Graeme Dalton

---

From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Friday, 23 February 2024 3:09 PM
To: ‘Graeme Dalton’ <xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com>
Cc: xxxxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Graeme,

Thank you for your reply to my emails.

As a result of strict confidentiality parameters here at The Brave Truth, there is very little information that can be given other than what is shared in our standard correspondence.

We appreciate your wish to comply with the Royal Commission requirements, and NSW Mandatory reporting.

In response to your requests for information, in general terms:

• We only notify you (or other Overseers) about an alleged perpetrator if when we have received full consent from the victim-survivor(s) who reported that same perpetrator to us. This is not always the case, there are instances where the victim-survivor is too fearful for this next step to be taken yet.
• We assure you that the victim-survivor understands that matter will be raised with the alleged perpetrator, and the expectation is the perpetrator will be removed from fellowship as per the statement from Overseers on 1 July 2023.
• We can and will share with you how many victim-survivors have made police reports regarding a perpetrator.
• It is inappropriate for us to give you the exact age of the victim at the time of the abuse, we can confirm if they’re under the age of 18. And if consented by the victim-survivor, we may be able to clarify if they were under the age of 10, for example.
• Disclosing the place of abuse is not required. Where we can, we may disclose if it was in a meeting setting versus a social setting.
• We can only name the role the perpetrator had in the fellowship at the time of the abuse, if the victim -survivor remembers and consents to its release.
• Timeframe of abuse is also unnecessary, but if the victim-survivor consents to this being released, we will do so.

Regarding XXXXX XXXXX, we have 3 Police Intelligence reports against him. All victim-survivors in this instance were under 18 years of age at the time of the abuse, which occurred in both Queensland & New South Wales. No other identifying information can be released.

To clarify, I would also like to assure you that we would never say there is a Police Intelligence Report if that wasn’t the case.

On the topic of Private and Confidential communications, Workers recently have proven no understanding of this legal provision, hence our letter dated 05/02/2024. This is particularly concerning in instances where Workers have immediately talked to people, disclosing information. That is very alarming in itself, but doubly alarming as they could unknowingly be speaking with a victim of that same perpetrator. It just cannot happen and because of the lax approach by a number of Workers, it has underscored how very careful The Brave Truth needs to be with what information we share. We don’t make false allegations and I can assure you, any information we share with you has come directly from a victim-survivor.

Sincerely,

Jillian Hishon

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275 Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org
P: +61489 994 566

---

From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2024 11:02 AM
To: ‘Graeme Dalton’ < xxxxxxxx@gmail.com>
Cc: xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Graeme,

As it’s almost 2 weeks since I replied to your email, I would appreciate hearing from you by close of business tomorrow (8th March, 2024) that necessary steps have been taken to keep children and other victims of sexual abuse safe in the fellowship. Please confirm that XXXXX XXXXX will no longer be attending any church gatherings and the relevant elders have been notified.

It is important that we are able to relay this information to all victim-survivors – for them to be assured that there is zero-tolerance being enforced, as promised by all Overseers. All correspondence will be added to victim-survivor Police reports.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

Jillian Hishon

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275
Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org
P: +61 489 994 566

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From: xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, 8 March 2024 8:11 AM
To: ‘The Brave Truth Aus & NZ’ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Jillian,

Thanks for your email and the matter with XX is still progressing.

Kind regards,

Graeme

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From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 13 March 2024 1:36 PM
To: xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Graeme,

Further to information I have shared with you earlier, Xxxxx Xxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxx were made aware of accusations against XXXXX XXXXX in 2020. 1 am in receipt of an email sent to Xxxxx on 8 August 2020, to which he replied on 10th August 2020 saying he would be making Xxxxxx Xxxx aware. They were given details of victims to contact.

Also, (NSW) Police contacted me after you’d been to see them recently. I was grateful for the opportunity to let them know about the letter written on 1 July 2023 from Australian & New Zealand Overseers with regards to contacting you if there was anything to report and exactly what part The Brave Truth plays in this and also shared information with him about the very current International FBI Investigation.

Please let me know ASAP how things are progressing with XXXXX XXXXX so I can let the victim-survivors know that this is being taken seriously.

Kind Regards,

Jillian Hishon

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275
Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org
P: +61 489 994 566

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From: The Brave Truth Aus & NZ<bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:14 AM
To: xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Graeme,

Can you please advise by COB today 20th March 2024 that the necessary steps have been taken to keep children and other victims of sexual abuse safe In the fellowship. Please confirm that XXXXX XXXXX will no longer be attending any church gatherings and the relevant elders have been notified.

It is important that we are able to relay this information to all victim-survivors for them to be assured that there is zero-tolerance being enforced, as promised by all Overseers. All correspondence will be added to victim-survivor Police reports.

Kind Regards,

Jillian Hishon

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275
Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org
P: +61 489 994 566

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From: xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, 22 March 2024 1:59 PM
To: ‘The Brave Truth Aus & NZ’ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Subject: RE: Confidential: XX

Dear Jillian,

In reference to this email the matter with XX is still progressing.

Kind regards,

Graeme

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From: xxxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 2:21 PM
To: ‘The Brave Truth Aus & NZ’ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Subject: re XX

Dear Jillian

I refer to our email correspondence of 22/02/2024 and 29/02/2024.
Noting that we are guided by the Royal Commission recommendations to establish plausibility, and in the absence of an allegation direct from a survivor or having further information of the nature previously requested, I am unable to take the matter further.
If you are able to provide the information requested in my email of 22/02/2024 I will review the matter.

Kind regards

Graeme

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From: The Brave Truth AU & NZ <bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2024 11:03 AM
To: xxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Cc: Wayne Dean <xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: re XX

Dear Graeme,

Thank you for your email of 2nd April 2024.

The information we have provided from victim-survivors of xxxxxxxxxxxx is plausible, including the information about him that was provided after he was appointed as an elder, to Wayne Dean and then Graham Snow in August 2020. The matter was clearly investigated then by the relevant Overseers and some action was taken.

In relation to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse we note your reference to plausibility (Recommendation 16.52). This recommendation references the religious institution’s complaint handling policies. Other recommendations refer specifically to complaint-handling policies and procedures:

• Recommendation 16.5 – requests all religious institutions implement the 10 Child Safe Standards which reference the requirement to have effective complaint-handling policies and procedures
• Recommendation 6.6 – Standard 6 requires all religious institutions to have effective, transparent complaint-handling systems, policies and procedures in place
• Recommendation 16.41 – requires all religious institutions to make provision for family and community involvement by publishing all policies relevant to child safety on its website
• Recommendation 16.51 – all religious institutions’ complaint handling policies should require that, upon receiving a complaint of child sexual abuse, an initial risk assessment is conducted to identify and minimise any risks to children
• Recommendation 16.54 – requests religious institutions to apply the same standards for investigating complaints of child sexual abuse whether or not the subject of the complaint is a person in religious ministry

We have been advised by members of your church (a number of whom directly support TBTA) that your complaint handling policies and procedures have not been developed or published. As a result, it is unclear how complaints are handled, how investigations are conducted and how decisions are determined.

In our view, this is unsatisfactory given the seriousness of the problem in the fellowship and the comprehensive nature of the Royal Commission’s recommendations which were made over six years ago.

Unfortunately, there is little evidence at this point that child safety is embedded in any meaningful way in the leadership, governance and culture of the fellowship (Child Safe Standard No. 1 of the Royal Commission recommendations). It is also clear that there will be a progressive trust deficit if cases that are brought to your attention continue in this manner.

We acknowledge it is your crisis to manage as you see fit, however, we will let victim-survivors know your stance in this and forward this correspondence directly to the FBI to add to their investigation.

Kind Regards

Jillian Hishon & Ross Bowden

The Brave Truth Australia & New Zealand
P.O. Box 5275
Manly Q 4179
E: bravetruth@thebravetruthaunz.org
P: +61 489 994 566

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WINGS Note: We have been advised that the workers/overseers believe that they have not been given sufficient specific information to act against the alleged perpetrator, and that even the Police reports might have insufficient details.

We encourage prompt and open communication between overseers and people reporting allegations.

Hi Bruce!

Any objective examiner of your system will identify it as having a legalistic lens. Again, that isn’t a bad thing, just not enough.

You are no slug and probably know a lot more about psychology than I do.
I think there is term in psychology for this technique of presenting your opinion couched first with ‘any objective examiner’.

Then a classic ‘Bruce’ to end with “Again, that isn’t a bad thing, just not enough.”

You are ‘clever’, if nothing else.

I said to Kimberlee, you can’t reason with the guy. He’s not open to facts that don’t agree with his ‘facts’!

On another note, not happy at all with the recent responses of some North American Overseers.

But then Bruce muddying the waters with his misinformation about MinistrySafe isn’t a help either. 🤷‍♂️

Cheers
John

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WINGS ForTruth 11 wrote:

Please troll my public posts in public.   Thank you.

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Wings11/Bruce,
Please be honest with yourself and to the misinformation that you are posting about MinistrySafe!
I carefully and extensively researched what Bruce had posted. There is a LOT more to the story than the links you have posted Bruce. But you have closed your mind to that.

So don’t come the ‘Any objective examiner’ technique with me. I don’t fall for the trick!
Also don’t come your guilt trip ’trolling’ nonsense with me!

Examine, research and understand. You have have it wrong.
But Bruce, my observation of you is that you are not open to that?
I shrug my shoulders, you are shooting no one in the foot except Bruce/WINGS
Go for it!🤷‍♂️

John

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WINGS ForTruth 11
to WINGS, John

Please John. No more sneaky back door stuff. Please do your trolling publicly and be accountable.

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to Bruce, wingsfortruth

Please Bruce/WINGS 11
Bruce you have wriggled and been sneaky from the VERY START when warning bells came on for me regarding your post about MinistrySafe and I got in touch with you!
Then I took the time and effort to extensively research and fact check what you have posted.

You fail. Simple!

Reject me trying to help you in your error if you wish!
I have NO INTENTION of getting into an unseemly public debate.

If you and WINGS wish to discredit yourselves by posting misinformation…go for it.

Oh then Bruce your about trolling and sneeky etc comments.

I won’t lose any sleep about nonsense like this that you say about me! 😂
🤷‍♂️ 😀

Have a great day!
John

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WINGS ForTruth 11
to John, wingsfortruth

“I have NO INTENTION of getting into an unseemly public debate.”

That says it all.

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Bruce

It sure does! ….of the way that you operate Bruce! But of course your technique is to try put the wrong on me, send me on a guilt trip. Sorry I don’t fall for that! 😀

If you are serious about the FACTS about MinistrySafe and the misinformation written in the NYT article.
Then do the decent honest thing….
Do what I did, contact Kimberlee like I did. Open your mind that actually Bruce doesn’t always get it right. He HASN’T got it right this time.

Norris Love are attorneys for victims not churches. It is misinformation but the NYT writer that you have been duped by!!!!

Why don’t you follow it through and find out the FACTS and how you have been mislead!

I went to the effort to do that!

Otherwise I would have just believed what you posted!
Of course the odds on Bruce being decent or honest or humble enough to that? 🤷‍♂️

Have a good day!
Cheers
John

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WINGS ForTruth 11
to John, wingsfortruth

Thank you for your perspective sir.

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WINGS Note: See the original post MinistrySafe: Is it Sufficient? at https://wingsfortruth.info/2024/03/17/ministrysafe-not-the-best-course-for-workers/

There are comments from numerous people, expressing their sincere views about the post, including some from Kimberlee Norris, Founder of MinistrySafe. She disputes some aspects of the quoted NYT and CT articles.
She has also commented “Awareness Training is simply a starting point. Clearly, a one hour course won’t, by itself, adequately address child sexual abuse risk OR response.“

From: Cynthia Liles <cynthia@aftt.org>
Date: Sun, Apr 7, 2024 at 12:40 PM
To: Kent Williston <Email redacted>, Rob Newman <Email redacted>
Cc: Lauren Rohs <Email redacted>

Kent, it has come to my attention that a Jay Wilson survivor, [Name1 redacted], has emailed you THIRTEEN times. Rob, I understand you have been cc’d on two of those. It is my understanding B has not received one response from either one of you. You are walking by the wounded and bleeding in the ditch. I’m not sure how you sleep at night.

Regarding the [Name2 redacted] allegation – no, the facts of the allegation do not need to be clarified. There is no mistake and the survivor is not an undependable source. I have confirmation [redacted] (will) further corroborate the facts of this allegation. You should know by now that I do not release the name of an alleged perpetrator unless I am confident in the merits of the allegation.

I am astounded at the lack of humanity on the part of the ministry. Surely you can do better.

Cynthia Liles
The Advocates for the Truth Team
advocatesforthetruth@gmail.com
Survivor Hotline: (503)386-4634
Contact Us — Advocates For The Truth

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From: Rob Newman <Email redacted>
Date: Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 9:18AM
To: Cynthia Liles cynthia@aftt.org

Cynthia,

For a number of reasons, this will be our final response to your communications. If you have information about past or ongoing criminal activity, we implore you to report it to the proper authorities. We remain willing, as always, to cooperate with the authorities in any investigations which are the result of your reports. If you choose to send us adequate details, we will report it to the authorities.

Rob

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WINGS absolutely supports the reporting of allegations to authorities. That is necessary and appropriate. However it is not sufficient. Counselling and support for the victim and close family is necessary. The local and wider Church needs clear communication, to protect families and the integrity of all members, and in contemplation that there may be other victims. The alleged perpetrator should not attend meetings where the victim or their family or any other children may be present. The Church can not pass all responsibility to law enforcement agencies. The front line of responsibility lies with families and Church leadership – elders, workers and overseers.

Failure to act is being an accessory to a crime. Protecting children should be a priority.