In a shocking revelation, Rocky Leanders, a survivor of the notorious John Smyth abuse scandal, has come forward to accuse the Church of England of being “directly responsible” for the horrific abuse he endured as a 15-year-old boy in Zimbabwe. Leanders’ harrowing testimony sheds light on the church’s failure to act, even as it exported a known abuser to prey upon vulnerable children in another country.
A Dream Turned Nightmare
In 1993, Leanders and his school friends were captivated by Smyth’s presentation about his Christian holiday camps in Zimbabwe. With promises of thrilling activities and modern amenities, the boys eagerly signed up, unaware of the horrors that awaited them.
What began as a fun experience quickly descended into a nightmare. Over the course of a week, Leanders endured 35 brutal beatings on his bare bottom with a table tennis bat or wooden paddle at the hands of John Smyth. The pain was so severe that he struggled to sit down by the end of the camp.
Forced Nudity and Uncomfortable Interrogations
The abuse extended beyond physical violence. Smyth subjected the boys to forced nude swimming and invasive questioning about masturbation. They were made to queue naked for showers while Smyth watched, and on one occasion, he even joined the queue himself, completely nude.
“It was horrendous,” Leanders recounted. “[Church of England leaders] categorically should have done more after the initial atrocities were reported prior to Smyth being exported with open arms to perpetrate the same things in Zimbabwe.”
A Tragic Death and Failed Justice
The abuses came to a head in December 1992 when 16-year-old Guide Nyachuru was found drowned in a swimming pool the morning after being forced to skinny dip at one of Smyth’s camps. Smyth later dismissively referred to the incident as “unfortunate.”
Despite being charged in Zimbabwe with culpable homicide and assault, including against Leanders and his brother, Smyth managed to evade justice when his trial collapsed in 1997 due to a technicality.
“We need closure as a family. We want to know how he died. We want to know if he was beaten to death,” Edith Nyachuru, Guide’s sister, pleaded. “Why was he allowed to be in camps abusing vulnerable children? Abuse is abuse whether in Zimbabwe, the UK, or in Australia.”
The Church’s Shameful Inaction
The Church of England’s culpability in enabling Smyth’s reign of terror in Zimbabwe is undeniable. Despite being aware of his abusive behavior in the UK, church leaders turned a blind eye as he relocated to Africa, allowing him to continue his sickening practices unchecked.
Even when concerns were raised by parents and pastors in Zimbabwe, Smyth used his position as a respected barrister to intimidate and threaten them with defamation lawsuits. The church’s silence and failure to intervene left countless young lives shattered.
A Call for Accountability
The recent resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby, following a damning review of the church’s handling of the Smyth scandal, is a step towards acknowledging the institution’s failings. However, for survivors like Leanders and the Nyachuru family, it is far from enough.
The Church of England must take full responsibility for its role in enabling and covering up Smyth’s heinous crimes. Transparency, accountability, and a genuine commitment to preventing such abuses from ever happening again are essential.
As the Anglican Church grapples with this shameful chapter in its history, it is clear that the road to healing and justice for the survivors will be long and painful. But it is a journey that must be undertaken, not only for the sake of those who have suffered, but for the integrity of the church itself.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the immense trauma he has endured, Rocky Leanders’ bravery in speaking out offers a glimmer of hope. By shedding light on the Church of England’s complicity in the abuse he suffered, he has taken a courageous step towards holding the institution accountable and preventing others from experiencing the same horrors.
As the Anglican community reflects on this dark chapter, may Leanders’ voice serve as a clarion call for change, healing, and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable among us. Only then can the church begin to atone for its failures and work towards a future where such unspeakable abuses are consigned to the past.
Even when concerns were raised by parents and pastors in Zimbabwe, Smyth used his position as a respected barrister to intimidate and threaten them with defamation lawsuits. The church’s silence and failure to intervene left countless young lives shattered.
A Call for Accountability
The recent resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby, following a damning review of the church’s handling of the Smyth scandal, is a step towards acknowledging the institution’s failings. However, for survivors like Leanders and the Nyachuru family, it is far from enough.
The Church of England must take full responsibility for its role in enabling and covering up Smyth’s heinous crimes. Transparency, accountability, and a genuine commitment to preventing such abuses from ever happening again are essential.
As the Anglican Church grapples with this shameful chapter in its history, it is clear that the road to healing and justice for the survivors will be long and painful. But it is a journey that must be undertaken, not only for the sake of those who have suffered, but for the integrity of the church itself.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the immense trauma he has endured, Rocky Leanders’ bravery in speaking out offers a glimmer of hope. By shedding light on the Church of England’s complicity in the abuse he suffered, he has taken a courageous step towards holding the institution accountable and preventing others from experiencing the same horrors.
As the Anglican community reflects on this dark chapter, may Leanders’ voice serve as a clarion call for change, healing, and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable among us. Only then can the church begin to atone for its failures and work towards a future where such unspeakable abuses are consigned to the past.
