Good Afternoon, 

Regrettably, I need to update you on some tragic news of recent days.

Please note, the content of this post is distressing. As a result, I have kept the details to a minimum.

Today’s Announcement:

The contents of the 131 surveys now received on our website, contain so many reports of sexual, physical and psychological abuse of children, that our entire team is now devoted solely to these critically urgent reports.

The next few days will be spent only on the following:

1. Taking advice from specialist solicitors who deal specifically with child abuse cases.

2. Contacting and offering support to women that have reported abuse.

3. Filing Police reports with Child Protection Units in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

4. Seeking advice and assistance from organizations like the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and others.

5. Warning the congregations, still attending CFO Churches that dangerous offenders may be attending their Church.

There is no easy way to describe what we have found.

As always, we all need to strike the balance between reassuring the women concerned that they have been heard and believed, and also saying that these reports have not been investigated by Police yet, and the presumption of innocence is essential.

I would like to continue to reassure other women who may have experienced abuse, that all information you give us is totally confidential and cannot be released without their permission.

In Queensland, if you are now over 16 years of age, we are required to ask if you’d like us to help you report the offense.  If you say no, we are allowed to follow your instructions. We are seeking advice about our obligations in other states.

87 surveys out of 131, report matters involving either a crime, sexual or physical abuse.

Not all can be investigated at this time because in some cases contact details have not been provided by the person concerned.

May I appeal to all those who might be afraid to come forward.  Please be encouraged by those that have been able to make reports.  We will not let you down.  There’s plenty of time for your voice to be heard. Take your time. Watch for our updates or contact us if you feel safe.

Finally, I’d like to address the men who’ve been named in the reports and those men reported to still be attending one the CFO Churches in Australia.

If you have committed an offense, please take this opportunity to finally do the right thing and come forward. At the very least we ask that you no longer attend Churches or other places where your victims attend.

More details to follow as we come to grips with this situation.

With the Deepest Empathy.

Samson

On behalf of all those working to reveal the truth