Council cult link
THE Gold Coast City Council continues to promote a behavioural teacher linked to a “socially harmful cult” as part of its Active & Healthy program, despite previous complaints.
Tanya Curtis, the director of Fabic Behavioural Specialists, last week revealed to be a promoter of the Universal Medicine cult, hosts monthly seminars for Coast residents as part of the GCCC sponsored program.
Universal Medicine was last year found by a NSW Supreme Court civil jury to be a “socially harmful cult”, who preyed on cancer patients.
The group, led by retired tennis coach cum new age philosopher Serge Benhayon, was also found to “make false claims about healing that cause harm to others”, “engage in misleading conduct in promoting healing services”, and to “prey on cancer patients”.
During the court case Mr Benhayon had also claimed that people who abused their authority were reincarnated as people with disabilities.
Despite the findings and previous letters of complaint, the GCCC website lists Ms Curtis’s talks on mental health, parenting, anxiety and ADHD, as part of their Active Healthy calendar.
“Join Tanya Curtis from Fabic Behaviour Specialist Centre for free monthly talks on topics surrounding behaviour, mental health, disability and psychological wellbeing,” the website reads.
Esther Rockett, the whistleblower unsuccessfully sued by Universal Medicine, said she had warned GCCC about Ms Curtis’s association on numerous occasions. In 2018, Ms Rockett emailed every councillor over her concerns detailing activities undertaken by the “occult religious group”.
In 2015 and 2017, Ms Rockett also emailed the council about the matter. Speaking with the Bulletin, Ms Rockett said she was disappointed by the inaction of council.
“I provided ample verifiable information to the Gold Coast City Council about Universal Medicine’s controversial behaviours several times over the past four years,” she said.
“It’s frustrating that the council ignored that information and allowed Tanya Curtis and the College of Universal Medicine to use ratepayerfunded facilities to promote themselves.
“Members of the public have a right to know who is providing services targeting vulnerable people.”
Ms Rockett said she had notified some autism support groups on the Gold Coast, Griffith University and Bond University about various activities undertaken by Tanya Curtis and Fabic. Each had taken the notifications seriously and acted to distance themselves.
“I don’t understand why the GCCC hasn’t done the same. I received no responses to my notifications,” she said.
A council spokesman said it does not have a contract with or pay Ms Curtis. She is, however, a listed supplier for the Active & Healthy program.
“All organisations and individuals that deliver programs for Active and Healthy are required to prove they are suitably qualified/insured and have experience,” the spokesman said.
The City is investigating a complaint about Ms Curtis’s involvement.