From Harrods to the Church, we must stand up to abusive leaders

The recent BBC investigation into allegations of rape and attempted rape by Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, reveal a man who preyed on vulnerable individuals.

Was Al Fayed addicted to power? To sex? Maybe. Does that in any way abdicate him from responsibility? Absolutely not.

We must not be more afraid of upsetting the apple cart or ruining the brand than we are of shining a light

The shocking interviews with the many women who have alleged that Al Fayed abused them reveal a monstrous individual who was part of a toxic and misogynistic culture that has, for generations, protected men.

As a trauma therapist and coach, I know that a perpetrator can continue to hold power over their victims for many years. In the case of Al Fayed, his victims only felt safe to come forward once he had died. Watching some of these women interviewed on BBC Breakfast, it was apparent how relieved they were that their stories were similar, that they were not alone, that it wasn’t their fault. They all had a common trauma, and I believe that discovering this will now go some way to support their healing.

Lessons to learn

For me there are two issues that stand out.

Firstly, organisations across the globe need to be trained and supported to understand more about addictive behaviours. The rumour mill must be stilled and knowledge shared. After all, evil prospers when good men and women do nothing. Organisational structures must be changed to provide safe points of disclosure. Departments such as Learning and Development and Human Resources need the power to manage and provide the necessary support.

Secondly, we need to recognise that, sadly, the Church is not immune. The allegations against Soul Survivor’s Mike Pilavachi are of a different nature to Al Fayed. Nevertheless, in last week’s report into Pilavachi, many of the the young men abused by him revealed how they too experienced grooming. Each was first encouraged in their leadership potential; prophetic words were spoken over their lives (which could well have been true). But then those words were used to control them and lure into a false sense of security before abuses were committed. The damage is unimaginable.

The perpetrator can continue to hold power over the victim for many years

Whether it is Harrods, or the Church, we must not be more afraid of upsetting the apple cart or ruining the brand than we are of shining a light and telling the truth.

When Jesus was faced with money lenders and loan sharks in his church, he overturned tables and threw them out: “My house is designated as a house of prayer; you have made it a hangout for thieves” (Matthew 21:12-14, The Message).

There have been too many leaders in the Church who, in recent times, have been revealed as abusers. There have been far too many instances of church cultures that enable a leader to, over many years, commit self-seeking abuses.

It is time for us to stand up and be counted. The Church must urgently learn the lessons, and do things differently.