Top Scientology Leader Arrested In Australia For Covering Up Child Sex Abuse
May 31 2011, Published 4:40 a.m. ET
The Church of Scientology is making a mad scramble for damage control after one of their top global leaders was arrested in Australia, RadarOnline.com has learned.
Jan Eastgate, President of the Citizen’s Commission on Human Rights within the Church of Scientology, is accused of covering up child sex abuse by coaching an 11-year-old girl to lie about the abuse she endured in order to protect the Church.
Eastgate was arrested in Sydney on Thursday, May 26, and charged with perverting the course of justice, her passport was taken away and she was released on bail.
Carmen Rainer is the whistleblower who detailed allegations of Eastgate’s alleged cover-up of the sexual abuse she was experiencing at the hands of her step-father, Robert Kerr, in 1985.
“The Church got involved and they sent Jan Eastgate over to drill me and tell me what to say to the police, and what to say to docs,” Rainer told Australia’s Lateline, explaining that both of her parents were devout Scientologist’s at the time.
Just three years later, Eastgate was awarded Scientology’s highest honor, the Freedom Medal which is given to those who have defended the cause of religious freedom and show courage and determination in bringing greater freedom to mankind while supporting and protecting the Scientology religion.
John Travolta was awarded the Freedom Medal in 1991 and Tom Cruise received his in 1995.
“Just say no. Don’t say yes, because otherwise you will be taken away from your parents and you’ll never see your family again,” Rainer said, describing how Eastgate coached her in order to protect the Church of Scientology.
Eastgate is due to face her charges at the Downing Centre Court on June 16.
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