Good afternoon,

Today, I would like to announce that further reports of abuse, allegedly caused by the CFO, have been filed with the police. This time, the reports were filed with the Victorian Police on 16 February 2025.

I would like to thank the volunteers who are prepared to accompany alleged victims to make their reports to the police. I am informed that further reports are expected to be filed with the Victorian Police shortly.

We continue to work with other alleged victims and encourage anyone who wishes to make a complaint to the police to come forward. You will have the support and encouragement of all of us.

If you are in Victoria, you can now use the following Victorian Police reference number to make your complaint:
Victorian Police Reference Number: 250072441

If you are unsure whether your matter is a police matter, they will be happy to explain the law and assist you in making your complaint. The people involved in the report of 16 February say the police were very professional and helpful. Alternatively, you can contact Samson Rising at [email protected].

Our survey results show that we now have 47 women reporting that they are being coerced by either their husbands or the CFO in relation to how they live their lives, what they say and wear, what they spend money on, and what opinions they are allowed to have.

The police have explained to me that this kind of behaviour “is the exact definition of coercive control” in all states of Australia, and will soon be criminalised in Queensland (on 26 May 2025).

The definition of coercive control is a pattern of behaviour that is intended to control another person.

Sadly, we also have 222 reports of parents of children in the CFO expelling their children from the family home because the child did not want to attend the CFO.

Where parents threaten to expel their children from the family home in these circumstances, our understanding is that this behaviour can amount to coercive control.

We also know about Grandparents being cut off from their Grandchildren for no other reason than they do not attend the CFO.

Samson Rising intends to be the first group to file complaints of coercive control on 26 May 2025 with the Queensland Police.

Religious Freedom vs Coercion

High control religious groups often invoke ‘freedom of religion’ when confronted by legal scrutiny. Strangely, some of these groups don’t seem to recognise that coercing individuals to stay and obey their group’s religious beliefs, actually strips victims of their own religious freedom. All states of Australia and the Commonwealth recognise there is a proper balance between religious freedom and the protection of the rights of others.

The key word is ‘freedom’ of religion. ‘Coercion’ and ‘freedom’ cannot coexist in any legitimate discussion on religious rights.
Gentle, loving persuasion is an accepted norm our society. And the law accepts this as a legitimate expression of religious freedom. However, when persuasion escalates into coercion, it breaches community standards and can develop into an into illegal coercive control.

The reports received by Samson Rising alleging abuse, indicate that the CFO has, in the past, and may continue to use, extreme forms of coercive control to ensure compliance with CFO policies and practices.

Following an independent investigation, for which we are advocating, should the CFO be found to have broken coercive control laws, we intend to ensure the prosecution of those responsible.

We believe that a religious message should inspire voluntary participation from the believer. As I understand it, this was the case when Christ brought His message. If there is a fundamental failure of a religious message to achieve voluntary participation, coercion should be not used to compensate for that failure.

If you agree we ask for your assistance by signing our petition using the following link: