Independent review into Mike Pilavachi details bullying and ‘abuse of power’

An independent review has concluded that Soul Survivor founder Mike Pilavachi engaged in a long time of manipulative and controlling behaviour.

Fiona Scolding KC’s report spoke of an “abuse of power” during which Pilavachi used his spiritual authority to control and control young men and ladies under him for a period spanning over 30 years. 

The months-long review found “credible and consistent evidence” of harmful behaviour that included forming “inappropriately close relationships” with young men that were followed by long periods of ‘ghosting’ “whereby Mr Pilavachi would appear to interrupt off all contact with a person for no apparent reason”. 

Other details included private one-on-one massages to young men who were sometimes only of their underwear. 

The report reads, “These massages weren’t sought out by the young people, they weren’t enjoyed, and lots of young people felt deeply ashamed after them.

“They were an abuse of power: they involved imposing physical intimacy in circumstances where the young men felt unable to refuse, and whilst views differ, two young men subject to the massages perceived them to be fulfilling a sexual outlet for Mr Pilavachi.

“Mr Pilavachi says that his behaviour was not sexual in intent – however the very circumstances described above could be widely seen in society as a precursor to sexual intimacy, if not sexually intimate in and of itself.

“Whatever the explanations for this behaviour, it was deeply inappropriate for a person who was able of responsibility over these young people and who held roles of spiritual power.”

Furthermore, the report said that Mr Pilavachi had engaged in private and “lengthy” one-on-one wrestling sessions with young men within the Nineteen Nineties, 2000s and possibly even the 2010s.

“This was a serious abuse of power, as in our view its aim was to literally ‘dominate’ under the guise of ‘horseplay’. For many young people this was not something that they wanted, welcomed or felt comfortable with,” it stated.

The report, which was commissioned by Soul Survivor trustees and the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team (NST), also cited a failure of oversight on the a part of the church leadership.

“We consider that individuals in positions of leadership within the church and trustees (although not all) knew of Mr Pilavachi’s relationships with young men and his ‘ghosting’.

“It has not been possible for us to discover exactly who knew what and when, but we consider that those most involved within the church and its leadership would have known about Mr Pilavachi’s behaviours towards others.

“It is probably going that some (albeit not nearly all of the trustees or those in positions of leadership) also knew of the wrestling, at the very least to some extent, and highly likely that a really small number of individuals knew concerning the massages – at the very least well before they got here to public attention in 2023.

“Moreover, in our view, people must have known about this stuff. This is an unacceptable state of affairs and represents failures on many levels.”

The report said that Pilavachi’s behaviour had caused “deep psychological harm” to victims while the failings of the church leadership had caused “an awesome deal of harm” to the individuals involved in addition to the Soul Survivor community and wider Church.

A “notion of spiritual celebrity and the anointed leader” and inadequate oversight by church trustees and the Church of England were cited as aspects within the failure to stop his behaviour. 

Responding to the report, Soul Survivor leaders said they were “profoundly sorry” for the failings. 

“This report shows a transparent pattern of Mike Pilavachi’s abusive behaviour and a culture at Soul Survivor that did not discover and forestall it,” they said.

“We fully accept the review’s findings and acknowledge that failings of governance and leadership have contributed to the numerous pain and harm suffered by the individuals involved, the Soul Survivor community and the broader Church.” 

The Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop, Joanne Grenfell, said the report made for “stark reading”. 

“In order that the Church might learn all it could actually from this case and be sure that such a shocking abuse of power, perpetrated over a few years, will not be repeated, we are going to explore what further work must be done, including a selected focus in relation to the governance and scrutiny of latest worshipping communities across all traditions within the Church of England,” she said. 

If you or anyone you might be involved with are affected by the publication of this report and wish to consult with someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk.

Alternatively, it’s possible you’ll want to contact the diocesan safeguarding team in your area or the National Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@churchofengland.org.