An investigation into Pilavachi, commissioned by the Church of England, revealed that Pilavachi fostered “a systematic pattern of coercive control.” The investigation confirmed that Pilavachi made inappropriate physical contact with teenage boys and young men, oftentimes wrestling with them for long periods of time and giving them massages in private.
“Looking back on it, I really don’t feel good about it and especially as sometimes it happened straight after we’ve been talking about the details of the sexual abuse that I’d suffered,” Matt said.
One of Pilavachi’s victims said, “I was obviously never going to say no because I had been specially chosen by Mike…I didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize our new relationship.”
“I think it’s safe to say the massages went too far up the inner thigh. He was an idol of mine. Who was I to question him? I was like putty in his hands, really,” the victim added.
The 66-year-old Pilavachi resigned from leading U.K.’s Soul Survivor Watford in July 2023 after he was put on suspension. He hasn’t spoken publicly or made himself available for comment regarding his alleged abuse.
The documentary includes expert advice from U.K. consultant psychiatrist Dr. Chi-Chi Obuaya and theologian Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing.
