Member of controversial Geelong church ‘made admissions to police’ over child abuse
A man connected with a secretive and ultra-conservative Pentecostal church in Geelong has cried in court after handing himself into police for alleged child sexual abuse offences.
The lawyer for the 36-year-old East Geelong man told Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Friday that his client had made admissions to police and that more alleged victims would likely come forward.
A man connected with an ultra-conservative Pentecostal church in Geelong has cried in court after handing himself into police for alleged child sexual abuse offences.Credit:Louie Douvis
The man, who is a member of the controversial Geelong Revival Centre, walked into a local police station to self-report his alleged crimes earlier this week.
His charges include sexual penetration of a child under 16, three counts of sexual assault and possessing child abuse material.
The accused appeared emotional as he was brought into court and cried as he sat in the dock.
His lawyer Jonathan Brancato said more alleged victims would likely come forward, as he asked for the court not to release his client’s name to media.
Geelong Revival Centre pastor Noel Hollins.
“Particularly because of his connection to the church, being that the church is at the centre of this as well,” Brancato told the court.
“It would be harmful not only for the accused but also for future complainants.”
He said the man had made some admissions to police during his interview.
No application for bail was made, but Brancato flagged it was his client’s first time in custody and requested he be seen by a nurse “given what’s transpired in the last 24 hours”.
“He is quite emotional and I expect that he’s quite vulnerable in custody,” he said.
The man will return to the court on May 23 for a committal mention.
The Pentecostal church’s headquarters are based in the Geelong suburb of Norlane, but it has branches interstate and internationally.
The Geelong Revival Centre and its affiliates have been led for decades by Noel Hollins, who is aged in his early 90s and exerts extreme control over the church’s affairs and its membership, both in Australia and overseas.
When contacted by The Age, Hollins said he was aware that a man was in custody. He said he could not comment any further because the matter would soon be subject to court proceedings.
Former church members have raised serious allegations about a range of incidents stemming from their years inside the church, including claims of sexual abuse not being reported to police, brutal physical punishments for children, pressure on members not to seek medical treatment for serious illnesses in the belief that prayer would be sufficient, and the forced separation of families if a member decides to leave the church.
The church’s landline number and website have been taken down following allegations in the media.
Shine Lawyers is considering separate civil action against the church on behalf of former members, and has said about 20 people have come forward since September 2022.
AAP, with Richard Baker
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