Church Member Accused of Sexual Abuse—Survivors Silenced
In a disturbing case from India, multiple young girls were sexually abused by a prominent church member, only to be pressured by leaders to “forgive and forget.” The allegations reveal a toxic culture of institutional complicity, where victims were allegedly discouraged from seeking justice to protect the church’s reputation.
Grooming and Abuse Under Guise of Faith
The accused, a trusted figure in the congregation, reportedly manipulated minors—some as young as 12—under the pretense of spiritual mentorship. Survivors described being told the abuse was “God’s will,” with threats of divine punishment if they spoke out.
“He said exposing him would shame the church. We were made to feel justice was a sin.” —Anonymous parent
Church’s Response: Denial and Pressure to Stay Silent
Instead of reporting the crimes, church leaders allegedly held private meetings where the abuser apologized without legal consequences. Families claim they were warned that pursuing justice would “damage the faith community.”
A Global Pattern of Religious Cover-Ups
This case mirrors widespread abuse scandals in religious institutions worldwide. Psychologists warn that forcing forgiveness retraumatizes victims and empowers predators.
“Telling survivors to ‘forget’ is psychological abuse. Institutions must prioritize justice over image.” —Dr. Anjali Rao, trauma specialist
Legal Action and #ChurchToo Movement
After public outcry, the accused was arrested under India’s POCSO Act. Activists demand:
– Mandatory reporting laws for clergy
– Trauma counseling for survivors
– End to “internal handling” of abuse cases
How to Support Survivors
- Report abuse: Contact CHILDLINE India (1098) or RAHI Foundation
- Amplify voices: Join #BreakTheSilence and #ChurchToo
No institution is above accountability. Justice cannot wait.
— NextMinuteNews
