Hundreds Of Women Accuse Brazilian Healer Of Sexual Abuse

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Spiritual healer Joao de Deus has been accused of sexual abuse by more than 200 women in Brazil, according to local authorities. Joao Texeira de Faria, 76, better known as Joao de Deus or "Juan de Dios", has been accused of sexually abusing women who came to him to cure them of depression and other illnesses. The healer's office released a statement denying the allegations, claiming that Joao "uses his powers to treat thousands of people and vehemently rejects the allegations of any inappropriate practice during his treatments."

Many of the accusations came to light on the Globo TV program Conversa com Bial ("Conversa con Bial") and on the O Globo newspaper. While many of her alleged victims preferred not to be identified, Dutch choreographer Zahira Lieneke Mous spoke openly about the nightmare she said she lived with the healer. Zahira alleges that she was raped during a healing session.

Other women reported anonymously that Joao forced them to masturbate him or perform oral sex on him. The abuses allegedly happened in the temple of the Casa Don Ignacio de Loyola in Abadiania, where people from all over the world visit him. His alleged victims allege that they did not report him before out of fear, since he is a powerful figure who has had former presidents such as Hugo Chavez and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva among his clients, according to reports.

"I know that I am being criticized: 'why does he come with his story, if he is healing thousands of people?', And that is one of the reasons why I did not say anything," said Dutchwoman Zahira Lieneke Mous at presenter Pedro Bial of the program Conversa com Bial on Globo TV. "If it was just me, what does it matter? He is healing thousands of people, right? But now I know that he is abusing hundreds of women and girls and I can't keep quiet.” Joao de Deus' lawyer, Alberto Toron, denies all the charges.