'They just don't get it': Hillsong members' 'tone deaf' response to assault allegations

They just don't get it.

We revealed damaging new accusations about Hillsong – the stories of two brave women, who had been violated by other Hillsong members. Beyond the claims of rape and indecent assault, we also exposed huge cultural issues surrounding the use of church funds by senior pastors, and an at times celebrity obsessed mindset.

The allegations we aired were from former church members in Sydney, Melbourne, and New York. Put simply, these issues were not some sort of anomaly – there are clearly widespread cultural issues.

So, what does Hillsong think about all of this? The church likes to think it is the victim.

They just don't get it.

Let's start with Jason Mays, the Hillsong staff member in our story who pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting Anna Crenshaw, a young American student at Hillsong College.

He took to social media, sharing statements from another man who called Anna's version of events into question.

I've got a newsflash for Jason: the place to dispute the facts of a case is in a court of law. You pleaded guilty.

Anna, the victim, is now gone from Hillsong. Yet Jason, the offender, is still a paid employee of Hillsong.

They just don't get it.

Jason Mays also gave an interview over the weekend to Eternity News, an outlet which is published by the Bible Society of Australia.

There are no prizes for guessing whose side they're on, however it gives an insight into the mindset of the people defending Hillsong.

"This story of ours has evolved into a weapon that's been used against the Church," Jason Mays is quoted as saying.

The article goes on to claim, "it's hunting season on Hillsong and other Pentecostal churches." Can someone remind me who the victim is?

They just don't get it.

It's hard to imagine Mays would be making these public statements now, questioning the integrity of his victim, without the blessing of his leaders at Hillsong.

In reality, it seems as though he's just following the example of Hillsong leader, Brian Houston, who has also tried to downplay this incident.

"We're talking about a young married man who did something stupid, got much drunker than he should, which is an issue we should keep addressing and got himself in a bad situation, that's it," he told staff.

They just don't get it.

The leaders at Hillsong would do well to take some advice from US attorney Boz Tchividjian, the grandson of famed evangelical preacher Billy Graham.

"When the institution, I don't care whether it's Hillsong or any other church, when their first response seems to be more focused on protecting the institution than the vulnerable, wounded person, that is a problem. Not just for any institution, but for an institution that claims to follow Jesus," he told me.

He gets it.

But I'll give the final word to Brian Houston, the leader of Hillsong. Perhaps he's had an epiphany?

Houston is currently getting ready to face court next month accused of concealing child sexual abuse, a charge he denies. In the lead up to our story going to air, Houston emailed his congregants on Friday to reveal, "I've made a decision to step aside from my role on the Hillsong Church boards that oversee the governance of our operations."

Then while our investigation was being broadcast, Houston tweeted: "Courage is taking a stand when sitting down would be so much easier."

Indeed, it is time to take a stand. Maybe he's finally starting to get it. We live in hope.