'I have fought so hard for my voice': Indecent assault victim turns down Hillsong Church settlement deal
A 26-year-old woman who was indecently assaulted by a Hillsong staff member in Sydney has today vowed her silence will not be bought, after she walked away from a settlement deal in court.
American Anna Crenshaw was indecently assaulted at the hands of Hillsong staff member Jason Mays in 2016.
The parishioner, just 18 at the time, was at a social function at a friend's house in Sydney, where she claimed the married man grabbed her by the waist and "in between my legs and touching my crotch and my butt".
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Anna Crenshaw turned down the settlement deal today in court after a breakdown in negotiations. Nine
In 2020, Mays pleaded guilty but no criminal conviction was recorded and he was sentenced to a two-year good behaviour bond.
Crenshaw is now suing the church for ongoing psychiatric distress, claiming it breached its duty of care to her when the incident occurred.
This morning the NSW Supreme Court had the pen ready to sign off on a settlement, with a resolution put forward.
In 2020, Mays pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a two-year good behaviour bond, with no conviction recorded. Nine
But a disagreement between the parties saw the settlement scrapped at the eleventh hour and the legal battle back on.
After Crenshaw reported the assault to Hillsong Church in 2018, Mays was suspended from paid work and volunteering but was not kicked out of the church.
"There was no punishment. He continued to work at Hillsong and I was pushed out basically," Crenshaw said.
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Crenshaw claims she was 'pushed out' of the church after coming forward with the allegations. Nine
While she is seeking damages in court, Crenshaw said no amount of money would silence her.
"I have fought so hard for my voice, and the last thing I would do is be silenced," she said.
"For me, coming forward was about justice and accountability and really about having Hillsong take accountability for how they treat victims.
"I just think that it's disgusting that they won't change their ways and they won't care for people."
Watch the full video in the player above.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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