Former Sect Leader Publicly Admits to Child Sexual Abuse in BBC Investigation
Robert Corfield, a former minister of The Truth, a secretive Christian church, confesses to child abuse spanning six years in the 1980s.
In a recent BBC investigation, Robert Corfield, a former minister within the secretive Christian church known as The Truth, has publicly admitted to child sexual abuse that occurred in the 1980s. This revelation is part of a broader inquiry into allegations of child abuse spanning decades within The Truth.
The BBC confronted Corfield as part of its extensive investigation, which revealed that his name is among the more than 700 given to a hotline established to report sexual abuse within the church. The church, with an estimated 100,000 members globally, predominantly in North America, claims to address all abuse allegations.
The highly secretive nature of The Truth, with unwritten rules such as marrying within the group and minimizing contact with outsiders, has created an environment where abuse can thrive, according to former and current insiders interviewed by the BBC.
Founded in Ireland in 1897, The Truth operates around ministers spreading New Testament teachings through word-of-mouth. One distinctive aspect is that ministers relinquish their possessions and rely on church members for accommodation while traveling, potentially making children in these homes vulnerable to abuse.
Former church member Michael Havet alleges that he was abused by Corfield in the 1980s, starting at the age of 12. Corfield, when confronted by the BBC, admitted to the abuse, which led to his removal as a minister last year.
The BBC investigation also highlights the church’s alleged culture of covering up abuse, with some accused individuals reportedly remaining in powerful positions for years. The church’s handling of Havet’s case, where he reported abuse in 1993 but received no support, is cited as an example.
Advocates for The Truth, a campaign group, has received over 1,000 reports from current and former members, revealing more than 700 alleged perpetrators in 21 countries. The group plans to build cases against those on the list and bring them to the police.
The catalyst for this wave of revelations was the death of Dean Bruer, an overseer of The Truth in Oregon, in 2022. After allegations of his history of abuse surfaced, more individuals started sharing their stories, leading to increased scrutiny of the church.
The Truth, which has no official leader, was contacted by the BBC for comment. Rob Newman, the overseer for California, responded, stating that the church actively addresses all abuse allegations and prioritizes the well-being of victims.
Advocates for The Truth members argue that meaningful change will only occur when responsible overseers face legal consequences for any wrongdoing, describing the existing system as an “extremely well-oiled machine for criminals” that has persisted for over a century.