A mother and grandmother from Cairns has spoken to 60 Minutes about the horrific ordeal of being sexually assaulted by her husband, radical Queensland pastor, Larry Harris.
Joy Harris, who moved to Australia from America with her radical preacher husband in 1994, said she’s been raped “up to seven times a day”.
“He thought the more times a day he could have it, the more of a man he was. He would get up to 6, 7 times a day and he didn’t care if it caused me pain,” she told 60 Minutes reporter Liam Bartlett.
Pastor Harris was convicted of two counts of rape in Queensland in January.
In something that reads like The Handmaid’s Tale, he allegedly used Bible verse Ephesians 5:24 to justify his actions.
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”
Joy bravely spoke to 60 Minutes
Joy’s son Jason, who quit the church in 2006 due to their radical beliefs, said his mother “was a sex slave” to his father but “We didn’t realise it at the time completely.”
His support for his mother is in stark contrast to his brother, Kevin, who leads the Illawarra Community Baptist Church in Dapto. He no longer talks to his mother because he thinks she’s turned her back on the church.
Moreover, Joy told 60 Minutes Kevin Harris thinks SHE should repent for the abuse she suffered.
“[Kevin thinks] I’m just as guilty as a rapist, my rapist. I’m wrong; I’m displeasing God.
“I’m totally heartbroken. He hasn’t even let me see his children, because I have to repent first,” she revealed.
Kevin Harris also spoke to 60 Minutes but he stormed out of the interview [watch below], after saying there was “disobedience to the Lord on both parts.”
“I believe my father is guilty, but he has expressed his remorse and his repentance,” Kevin said.
Pastor Larry Harris is currently serving five years in prison but Joy is looking to get him charged in New South Wales for further alleged attacks when he is released.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline: 131 114.
