Police renew appeal for potential victims to come forward in Jesus Fellowship abuse investigation

Website: Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Date: 27/08/2015
Link : http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/police-renew-appeal-for-potential-victims-to-come-forward-in-jesus-fellowship-abuse-investigation-1-6927674

Northamptonshire Police has renewed its appeal for potential victims to come forward in its investigation into alleged historic sexual and physical abuse at the Jesus Fellowship.

Last week, the Chronicle & Echo revealed that Northamptonshire Police had arrested a number of people following a series of historical complaints of physical and sexual abuse from various individuals, many of whom were referred directly to police by the current leadership of the Jesus Fellowship (formerly Jesus Army).

Some of those arrested were members of the Northamptonshire-based religious group, while others frequented their premises on an ad-hoc basis.

All of the complaints being investigated by detectives refer to alleged incidents dating from the late 1970s through to the late 1990s.

Northamptonshire Police is working closely with the Jesus Fellowship leadership as well as partner agencies to investigate the allegations.

Assistant Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet said: “I would like to reassure the public and any other potential victims yet to come forward that we take all these allegations very seriously and they will be investigated with the utmost sensitivity.

“We would always encourage victims and witnesses of sexual offences recent or historic to report these to Northamptonshire Police.”

Anyone wanting confidential help and support in relation to this inquiry can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or call the 24-hour helpline run by the sexual assault referral centre, Serenity, on 01604 601713.