By Digby Werthmuller, ABC News
Former member, Jillian Hishon, says decades of allegations have historically been buried allowing alleged abusers to move freely between households. Photo: ABC News/Lucas Hill
Jillian Hishon spent 38 years of her life in a secretive sect before she was silenced and removed for marrying an outsider.
Very little is known about the group, which goes by various names including The Two by Twos or The Church With No Name.
But with an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of this fundamentalist Christian sect that operates without formal governance, Hishon has devoted hundreds of hours listening to an estimated 280 victims of historical child sexual abuse from within the church she grew up in.
Her hotline, The Brave Truth, was set up in 2023 and claims to have identified over 200 alleged perpetrators across Australia and New Zealand.
Former members, including Hishon who was expelled around 2012, say the scale of historical abuse is staggering.
"It's a relatively small church. In Australia, probably only about 7500 members … so to have over 200 [alleged perpetrators] reported here that's a big number," Hishon said.
In a statement, the Two by Two Church said their "fellowship is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child, young person and vulnerable person".
It also said it would "listen to and believe survivors and take all allegations seriously".
But Hishon said decades of allegations had been historically buried, allowing alleged abusers to move freely between households.
"In the last couple of years, we say this has really snowballed and it's all come out … whether ministers have known about it or not, it's been covered up in a lot of cases," she said.
Instead of a physical church, each meeting or convention is often held in big sheds or tents. Photo: Tobias Loftus
Victim/survivor speaks of 'absolute monster'
One survivor who was sexually abused from the age of 10 by a former minister has chosen to speak out for the first time.
"He sexually molested me in the car going to a gospel meeting," she said.
She said he continued to subject her to years of coercion and control.
"I sort of lived on my nerves, I suppose … he was a monster, an absolute monster."
The sect confirmed the man at the centre of the allegation had been a minister up until 1980, but the ABC understands he was dismissed following claims he inappropriately touched young girls.
"In accordance with our published policy, any person convicted of an offence against a child will not be permitted to participate in our activities," the church said.
Despite the man being dismissed from the church, his victim claims he attended home gospel meetings up until he was jailed in 2023.
Last month he was released from prison, three years after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting multiple girls in the 1970s.
"He shows no remorse, and he hasn't attempted any rehabilitation … he got less than six months for each crime and it's every victim who pays for it for the rest of their life," she said.
The Omaha FBI office. Photo: FBI/supplied
The FBI's Omaha Field Office is now leading an international investigation into abuse allegations across the sect's global network.
On its website, the agency said it was seeking victims and witnesses who may have information about criminal behaviour within the group, which operates across Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada.
The ABC understands investigators have spoken with New Zealand victims who have filed reports - but are yet to take any action in Australia.
The Two by Two Church said it will cooperate with any FBI request.
Claims of historical abuse and financial secrecy
The Two by Two Church does not have or use physical churches.
"The farms where these conventions are held are a bit more purpose built," Hishon said.
Despite the ongoing revelations, the ABC is aware of 25 conventions which are set to take place across Australia between October and January 2026.
Meetings or conventions are often held in big sheds or tents, hosting up to 450 people at a time.
Ministers, often two at a time, live inside members' homes, travelling between gospel meetings and annual conventions with nothing more than a suitcase to their name.
Former members said this practice led to countless instances of historical abuse occurring in private homes, where children were accessible and unchecked.
"I have had lots of reports to me where abuse has happened in people's homes by ministers," Hishon said.
A submission to a Victorian Parliamentary inquiry into cults and fringe groups alleged the sect operates with "no governance", leaving survivors of abuse unable to access the National Redress Scheme.
Instead of a physical church, each meeting or convention is often held in big sheds or tents. Photo: ABC News/Supplied: Tobias Loftus
The submission was written by former members Bev Cox and Laura McConnell, who both grew up within the group. It claims the sect has no registered legal entities in Australia and its finances are not transparent.
"They claim to be 'penniless' despite the existence of secret family trust accounts … some suggest these accounts could hold millions of dollars," the pair wrote.
In a statement the church said it applied in 2022 to join the National Redress Scheme.
"We have confirmed our intention to participate and are awaiting further information or requirements from the scheme."
However, the submission highlights that without a registered entity it is difficult for the redress scheme to accept their application, preventing survivors from accessing financial assistance, counselling and psychological support.
The inquiry is due to submit a final report to Parliament in September next year.
A convention venue used by the Two by Two church. Photo: Supplied
The Two by Two Church has engaged an independent specialist investigation firm, Kooyoora, to assist with their child safety and allegation processes across NSW, ACT, SA and NT.
The firm confirmed they work with the sect in an ongoing capacity.
- ABC News