An unbiased evaluate concluded that Soul Survivor founder Mike Pilavachi had engaged in manipulative and controlling conduct for many years.
Fiona Scolding KC's report spoke of an “abuse of energy” through which Pilavachi used his non secular authority to govern and management younger women and men beneath him over a interval of over 30 years.
The month-long evaluate discovered “credible and constant proof” of dangerous behaviour, which included forming “inappropriately shut relationships” with younger males, adopted by lengthy “ghosting” durations, “throughout which Mr Pilavachi seems to have lower off all contact with the person.” for no obvious cause”.
Different particulars included personal one-on-one massages to the younger males, generally of their underwear.
The report states: “These massages weren’t sought out by younger folks, they weren’t loved and plenty of younger folks have been deeply ashamed of them.
“They have been an abuse of energy: they concerned the imposition of bodily intimacy in circumstances the place the younger males felt unable to refuse, and though opinions differed, the 2 younger males who have been subjected to the massages noticed them as fulfilling a sexual want for Mr Pilavachi.
“Mr Pilavachi says his conduct was not sexual in intent – however the very circumstances described above could be extensively seen in society as precursors to sexual intimacy, if not sexually intimate in themselves.
“Regardless of the causes for this conduct, it was deeply inappropriate for a person who had accountability for these younger folks and held roles of non secular energy.”
As well as, the report mentioned Mr. Pilavachi engaged in personal and “prolonged” one-on-one matches with younger males within the Nineties, 2000s and probably 2010.
“This was a severe abuse of energy, as in our view the goal was actually to 'dominate' beneath the guise of 'horseplay'. For a lot of younger folks, this was not one thing they needed, welcomed or felt comfy with,” it mentioned. .
The report, commissioned by trustees Soul Survivor and the Church of England's Nationwide Safeguarding Staff (NST), additionally cited oversight failures by church management.
“We consider that individuals in church management and directors (although not all) knew about Mr. Pilavachi's relationships with younger males and his 'ghosting'.
“We’ve not been in a position to determine precisely who knew what and when, however we consider that these most concerned within the church and its management would have recognized about Mr. Pilavachi's conduct in the direction of others.
“It’s doubtless that some (although not a lot of the confidants or these in positions of authority) additionally knew in regards to the match, not less than to some extent, and it’s extremely doubtless that only a few folks knew in regards to the massages – not less than lengthy earlier than they got here into the limelight public in 2023.
“Moreover, in our view, folks ought to learn about these items. That is an unacceptable state of affairs and represents a failure on many ranges.”
The report mentioned Pilavachi's conduct induced “deep psychological hurt” to the victims, whereas the failure of church management induced “nice hurt” to the people concerned in addition to to the Soul Survivor group and the broader Church.
“The picture of a non secular celeb and an anointed chief” and an absence of oversight by churchwardens and the Church of England have been cited as elements that didn’t cease his behaviour.
In response to the information, Soul Survivor leaders mentioned they have been “deeply sorry” for the errors.
“This report exhibits a transparent sample of abusive conduct by Mike Pilavachi and a tradition at Soul Survivor that didn’t determine and stop it,” they mentioned.
“We absolutely settle for the evaluate's findings and acknowledge that the failure of governance and management has contributed to vital ache and hurt suffered by the people concerned, the Soul Survivor group and the broader church.”
The Church of England's chief conservator, Joanne Grenfell, mentioned the report made for “sharp studying”.
“To ensure that the Church to be taught all it may well from this case and to make sure that such a surprising abuse of energy, carried out over a few years, doesn’t occur once more, we are going to discover what additional work must be finished, together with a selected focus in relation to governance and management new worshiping communities throughout all traditions within the Church of England,” she mentioned.
If you happen to or anybody you’re involved with is worried in regards to the publication of this report and want to converse to somebody independently, please name the Secure Areas helpline on 0300 303 1056 or go to safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk.
Alternatively you may contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Staff in your space or the Nationwide Safeguarding Staff at defending@churchofengland.org.
