Spiritual Leader ‘John de Ruiter’ Charged With 4 Counts Of Sexual Assault

(CTN NEWS) – A well-known spiritual leader ‘John de Ruiter’ from Edmonton, has been accused of four instances of sexual assault.

John de Ruiter, also known as Johannes de Ruiter, was detained and charged by Edmonton police on Saturday.

The College of Integrated Philosophy, also known as the Oasis Group, has been active in Edmonton for many years, and De Ruiter is its leader.

John de Ruiter, 63, is accused by police of attacking four people on separate occasions between 2017 and 2020.

According to a news release from the police on Monday,

“it was reported that the accused informed certain female group members that a spirit directed him to engage in sexual activity with them and that doing so will provide them an opportunity to achieve a state of a higher being or spiritual enlightenment.”

Investigators are urging more people to come forward because they think there may be more complainants. In court, none of the accusations have been established.

When contacted for comment, a spokeswoman stated that John de Ruiter plans to refute the claims.

“In a court of law, Mr. John de Ruiter wants to actively dispute these accusations while being represented by legal counsel. For those who know Mr. de Ruiter, this circumstance has a significant impact. “In an email, Zaba Walker remarked.

Police claim that from 2007 until 2021, John de Ruiter’s organization operated out of the Oasis Building at 109th Avenue and 177th Street.

In addition to holding meetings in an office building on St. Albert Trail in St. Albert, according to the police, de Ruiter also organises spiritual retreats at a campground about 200 kilometers northwest of Edmonton near Smith, Alberta.

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Stephen Kent, a retired professor from the University of Alberta who specialised in cults and alternative faiths, is well-aware of De Ruiter’s activities.

Kent stated on Monday, “De Ruiter claims to be the living incarnation of truth, he claims to have heard from Jesus, and he claims to gain spiritual insight that guides and justifies his behavior.

A CBC News documentary in 2002 explored John de Ruiter’s past and expanding global fan base. According to the account, de Ruiter began his career as a preacher in a Lutheran church before leaving to work independently.

He eventually quit working as a shoemaker to concentrate on his fan base.

In the documentary, his ex-wife discussed de Ruiter’s conversion from a Christian to a New Age practitioner. De Ruiter has a reputation for beginning his meetings by gazing at the participants for up to an hour.

In the documentary, some of John de Ruiter’s supporters spoke of their devotion to him.

It is common for male spiritual leaders to tell their followers that having sex can help them develop spiritually, according to Kent, who was also a subject of the 2002 documentary.

“Applying that power calls for extreme caution. If he abused that power, whether he abused the confidence placed in him, and other such issues could be raised at trial, “said Kent.

Kent’s worries about power disparities were echoed by Mary Jane James, president and CEO of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.

“The issue of sexual assault comes into play every time you have a person in authority exerting that influence over someone who does not have any power or equal power,” she said.

According to James, the victim of sexual assault knows, loves, or believes their attacker in 83 to 85% of cases.

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