Four Corners reporter uncovers a secret religious society ...

news.com.au
July 28, 2014

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/four-corners-reporter-uncovers-a-secret-religious-society-accused-of-physical-and-mental-abuse/story-fn948wjf-1227004077784

Followers of The Assembly have spoken out about their time in the church.

Countless children were born into the group.

After its establishment in Australia, the church quickly spread throughout Europe and at its peak had several hundred members

TOTAL control over every aspect of life. Alleged physical and mental abuse. Bizarre and depraved sexual rituals. A man who claims he speaks directly to God.

This was the way of life for hundreds of members of a secret religious group that started in a beach town in northern New South Wales and spread across the world.

Tonight, ABC journalist Caro Meldrum-Hanna’s four-year investigation will expose the Assembly and its founder, Scott Williams.

Her Four Corners report hears from those who’ve escaped the group, plots the journey of Williams over nearly four decades and uncovers the vast fortune he has siphoned from loyal followers.

“I began looking at this story back in 2010 and have been following it since, but it wasn’t until this year that two key former members told me they were ready to go public,” Meldrum-Hanna said.

Fringe groups among those attracting Aussie followers

The Assembly’s founder Williams, who calls himself ‘The Anointed One’ and ‘The Overseer’, established his evangelical Pentecostal group in Coffs Harbour some 40 years ago.

“I haven’t come across anything like it.”

As the church expanded in numbers and wealth, and its leader grew in power, the practices became more bizarre and depraved.

What began as a devotion to the Lord and a search for salvation on Judgement Day turned into something very sinister, Meldrum-Hanna said.

Members endured total control, extreme brainwashing and “the worst kind of spiritual, mental, physical and sexual abuse”, she claimed.

“There were bizarre sexual rituals that were carried out under the guise of religion. In Williams’ view, he was allowed to do it because he was the overseer.

“Biblical verses and scripture were manipulated by Williams in order to ultimately get what he wanted from people and to justify his behaviour.

“I haven’t come across anything like it.”

The church’s brand of punishment was severe and an indiscretion as minor as not correctly following a recipe could have extreme consequences.

“You might have your children taken away from you temporarily for that.

“This sort of conditioning made people desperate. They would do anything that was told of them. They were made to surrender.”

Cutting off all contact

The outside world was billed as evil and satanic. Any source which might plant seeds of doubt in the minds of followers was strictly banned.

“Many people were cut off from family and friends. They weren’t allowed to read newspapers, listen to the radio or freely use the internet.

“They were given a list of music they were allowed to listen to. Every element of their lives was controlled to the nth degree.”

Williams amassed a fortune including properties both here and abroad, she said.

“We’ve spent a lot of time researching this and getting the facts and figures right. The wealth is very impressive, and absolutely based off the back of the hard work of his loyal followers.”

Most disturbing is Williams’ skilful manipulation, Meldrum-Hanna found. Former followers she spoke to described him as a “master influencer”, she said.

The Assembly spread to Europe more than 30 years ago and, at its peak, had several hundred members worldwide.

When Williams wasn’t around, a band of henchman would do his dirty work, members told Meldrum-Hanna.

“There was a hierarchy with Scott Williams at the top and underneath him a close circle. They were all men — never women. Women weren’t trusted or valued.”

Highlighting “a massive problem”

Perhaps most troubling is this group’s continuing official status as a religious organisation — a status which means it doesn’t pay tax.

“There are more than 60,000 registered charities in Australia. There is a massive problem in regards to the lack of regulation that has occurred.

“This is a real standout example of how an organisation can fly under the radar.”

The recently established authority responsible for overseeing religious and charitable organisations, the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission, is making some headway, Meldrum-Hanna said.

However it’s one of numerous bodies facing the axe under a budget-driven review by the Federal Government.

But Meldrum-Hanna said that’s only a brief focus of the Four Corners program.

The bulk of the investigation centres around how Williams came to be, the church he took to the world and the lives it shattered along the way.

And the “jaw-dropping” moment occurs when Williams returns to Australia, she revealed. He’s met by police.

“You think ‘How could he come back here?’ What happens after that will play out in the (report).”

A deep personal toll

Meldrum-Hanna’s significant investment of time in this investigation has taken something of a personal toll, she admits.

The experiences of those with whom she spent so much time over four long years deeply affected her.

“At one point, I didn’t think we’d be able to get this one done. But there was a drive to make it.

“The most arresting part of this program for me is that the people you see on screen are so normal. They’re ordinary people.

“I sat opposite them and on numerous occasions thought ‘that could be me’. It wouldn’t be too hard for many to be sucked in. That’s terrifying.”