Hillsong Church Australia’s legal settlement with a former student hit a snag when the survivor refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Anna Crenshaw, daughter of a Pennsylvania megachurch pastor, prioritized justice and accountability over money. The agreement included a joint statement claiming immediate reporting of the assault, which Crenshaw disputed. She alleged the church delayed contacting the police for several months despite the assault. Crenshaw recounted the incident involving an administrative staff member at Hillsong College in 2016. The worship leader’s actions left her feeling trapped and violated.
Crenshaw’s reluctance to report the incident stemmed from shame and a perceived conflict of interest within the church’s HR department. Eventually, pressure from a counselor led her to disclose the assault to the head of pastoral care. Mays’s guilty plea to indecent assault in 2020 resulted in probation and counseling but no criminal record. Mays acknowledged crossing boundaries while intoxicated but believed the media exaggerated the situation.
Hillsong’s handling of the incident raised concerns about accountability and transparency within the church. The organization’s decision to reinstate Mays after his guilty plea sparked further controversy. Crenshaw’s lawsuit against the church highlighted allegations of negligence and breach of duty. The church refuted these claims and denied legal liability due to the nature of Mays’s actions.
The impasse in the settlement negotiations centered around Hillsong’s insistence on a non-disclosure agreement, which Crenshaw rejected. She stressed the importance of accountability and justice over financial compensation. Non-disclosure agreements have faced significant criticism for their misuse in silencing abuse victims and protecting powerful institutions. Efforts to limit the scope of NDAs are gaining traction in countries like the US and the UK.
Critics advocate for a complete ban on NDAs in cases of sexual misconduct to prevent the silencing of victims. Organizations like #NDAfree are advocating for transparency within Christian institutions and discouraging the use of NDAs. Crenshaw’s experience with Hillsong’s response to the assault solidified her view on the church’s approach to accountability. The upcoming trial in May will shed further light on the handling of the case by Hillsong.
