Hillsong Church

Hillsong Church is an internationally operating religious organisation based in Australia, known in a true crime context primarily as the institution that has become the subject of serious allegations of abuse of power, sexual abuse and systemic governance problems. The organisation is not part of any international legal system, but through the allegations and cases against it has appeared as a party to, and the subject of, legal and public inquiries in several countries.

The church was founded in Australia and grew into one of the world's best-known evangelical church networks, with congregations spread across many countries. In true crime usage, the term 'Hillsong Church' refers to the institution associated with documented cases of sexual misconduct by leaders, allegations that complaints from victims were suppressed, and criticism of the organisation's internal power structures. Its reputation was particularly damaged by cases against prominent leaders and pastors connected to the network, including cases that resulted in civil lawsuits and criminal investigations in several jurisdictions.

The documentary series 'Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed' collected and presented a large part of these allegations to a broad audience and helped establish Hillsong Church as a central name in international true crime discourse on religious abuse of power.

In legal terms, Hillsong Church is not a criminal-law category but a named organisation appearing as a party to, or the subject of, cases and investigations. Criticism has been directed in particular at the church's governance structures, its handling of internal complaints, and the way the leadership allegedly protected the institution rather than the victims. Hillsong Church has itself issued public statements in connection with specific civil proceedings and the allegations against the organisation.