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Another scandal? Pioneer and the late Gerald Coates investigated for safeguarding failures

16 replies

PrimitivePerson · 05/09/2023 23:11

After much discussion of religious abuse on the Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor thread, I found out today that Pioneer are being investigated for safeguarding failures.

https://pioneer.org.uk/independent-review/?fbclid=IwAR0Iu42VkNvbo7bl4foyCGlSqk-tWzaQF1XDL8caCSJ4yvniRn7P_rBrz_4

I'm not convinced much will come of this (yet again), but if any of you have had nasty experiences in Pioneer churches, I'd strongly urge you to contribute.

I fully intend to do so. Runs until November.

Independent Review - Pioneer

https://pioneer.org.uk/independent-review?fbclid=IwAR0Iu42VkNvbo7bl4foyCGlSqk-tWzaQF1XDL8caCSJ4yvniRn7P_rBrz_4

OP posts:
EducatingArti · 06/09/2023 08:00

I am really sorry that you have been affected by this @PrimitivePerson

chimneydifficult · 06/09/2023 18:31

Are Christian Safeguarding Services really the best people to conduct a truly independant review?

PrimitivePerson · 06/09/2023 21:39

chimneydifficult · 06/09/2023 18:31

Are Christian Safeguarding Services really the best people to conduct a truly independant review?

Absolutely not. They're part of the Evangelical Alliance, which is currently led by Steve Clifford, formerly a senior leader with Pioneer.

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CupOfCoffeePlease · 06/09/2023 21:43

🙄. Followed across from the Mike P thread.

Do we think this is just so they can say they've been investigated and are clean?!

Or to blame it all on someone dead....?

PrimitivePerson · 26/10/2023 21:23

I'd been meaning to update this for a while. It took some time for me to sit down and write my story, as I've been travelling for work quite a lot over the last couple of months, but a couple of weeks ago I submitted a very long (Word doc of about 13 pages) piece to this enquiry.

They contacted me shortly afterwards to set up a video interview to discuss the issues I've raised further, and that's taking place at the end of next week (3rd Nov).

The lovely person who told me about this enquiry in the first place had her video interview today, and was quite positive about the experience, so fingers crossed they'll get a good picture of what happened to me, and to others.

Pioneer have long considered themselves to be very high up in the charismatic evangelical pecking order, but I've been convinced for years that they're massively dodgy. In reflecting on what has happened to me as a result of my skirmish with them 30 years ago, I've realised they had absolutely no decent safeguards of any type in place at all, and I was basically gaslit, bullied, exploited and misled for a year. It did untold damage and has led to all sorts of problems since.

The organisation reminds me of a kind of ecclesiastical version of a modern big tech company like Uber or Airbnb. They move fast, break things and get rid of all the standards and traditions that protect those involved. It might make them look successful, but it leaves absolute carnage in their wake.

OP posts:
PrimitivePerson · 26/10/2023 21:25

CupOfCoffeePlease · 06/09/2023 21:43

🙄. Followed across from the Mike P thread.

Do we think this is just so they can say they've been investigated and are clean?!

Or to blame it all on someone dead....?

Thankfully it goes a lot deeper than just Gerald Coates. I do think, though, that he was an arrogant and deeply unpleasant man in it entirely for his own glory, and that he had a seriously nasty personality cult around him.

I don't think the revelations around him are going to be pretty.

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PrimitivePerson · 23/05/2024 10:50

So...after an agonising wait, I got an email late last night telling me that the report into this enquiry is going to go up on the Pioneer website at midday.

The last couple of hours wait are proving particularly agonising. :(

OP posts:
PrimitivePerson · 23/05/2024 13:14

Report is up.

Turns out Coates was a massive creep with a fondness for handsome young men.

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CupOfCoffeePlease · 23/05/2024 16:58

Oh gosh Pioneer. I will read it in a minute.

Its such a shame it comes out after they've passed it.

CupOfCoffeePlease · 23/05/2024 16:58

Hope you're okay. I think you were involved in sharing experiences?

PrimitivePerson · 23/05/2024 17:18

CupOfCoffeePlease · 23/05/2024 16:58

Hope you're okay. I think you were involved in sharing experiences?

Thanks. I did indeed share my experiences. My initial reaction is one of great disappointment. I don't think anyone is taking any responsibility for anything, loads of opportunities to stop abuse were missed, and Pioneer's apologies feel empty and insincere.

It's inspired me to complain directly to the church I spent my year out in, as the enquiry didn't cover the actions of affiliated churches. I've blown my anonymity in doing so, but I want someone to take some fucking responsibility for once.

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Thegreatestoftheseislove · 23/05/2024 22:03

@PrimitivePerson I truly hope that, eventually, you get a conclusion that gives you peace. Injustice, unfairness, and gaslighting are evil. You deserve peace and a sense that the guilty have been held accountable.

PrimitivePerson · 23/05/2024 22:29

Thegreatestoftheseislove · 23/05/2024 22:03

@PrimitivePerson I truly hope that, eventually, you get a conclusion that gives you peace. Injustice, unfairness, and gaslighting are evil. You deserve peace and a sense that the guilty have been held accountable.

Thank you. I'm grateful for the kindness and support I've been shown today, by friends and family. I'm like a very determined dog with a bone when it comes to injustice, so I'll keep chipping away until someone takes notice.

OP posts:
Thegreatestoftheseislove · 24/05/2024 18:46

PrimitivePerson · 23/05/2024 22:29

Thank you. I'm grateful for the kindness and support I've been shown today, by friends and family. I'm like a very determined dog with a bone when it comes to injustice, so I'll keep chipping away until someone takes notice.

Please accept a cyber (((hug))) 💐

Jasonic7zero · 28/05/2024 10:11

This reply has been deleted

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TheChurchMouse · 01/06/2024 11:15

Hi there. I'm looking into this and plan to write about it. I've been contacted by two people who experienced Coates's behaviour but were unaware of this review and I believe there are likely to be many more. If you are willing to share more with me, please reach out via DM on twitter (ATthechurchmouse).

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