Disturbing details continue to emerge during a royalcommissioninto the sexual abuse of children in the 70s and 80s at a NSW yoga ashram Nine abuse victims have told how former spiritual leader Swami Akhandanandaused them for his sexual gratification The ashram's response to those who came forward were initially just invited to a fire ceremony to help them heal But a lawyer for the victims has sought $1 million in damages for each of his clients Ashram leader Swami Akhandananda died in 1997. He was jailed for sex abuse in 1989

By Emily Crane and Australian Associated Press

Published: 07:11 EST, 10 December 2014 | Updated: 20:41 EST, 10 December 2014

A yoga ashram that initially offered a 'healing' fire ceremony to cleanse people who had been drugged, raped and beaten as children at the retreat say they will now offer compensation to victims years after they were sexually abused.

Disturbing details have emerged at a royal commission into the sexual abuse of children in the 1970s and 1980s at the Mangrove Yoga Ashram on the NSW Central Coast.

The commission has heard from nine abuse victims who have told how the former spiritual leader at the isolated retreat in the foothills of Mangrove Mountain, Swami Akhandananda, used them for his sexual gratification.

Disturbing details have emerged at a royal commission into the sexual abuse of children in the 1970s and 1980s at the Mangrove Yoga Ashram on the NSW Central Coast

One victim revealed last week that she was held down naked at seven years of age and had the skin between her breasts cut during an initiation ceremony, before a swami licked the blood and had sex with her.

Child victims have also given evidence of the second in charge, known as Shishy, allegedly subjecting them to fierce beatings and summoning teenage girls for sex with Akhandananda.

Shishy admitted to slapping the children at the royal commission, but couldn't recall some of the more vicious assaults described by the victims.

Originally posted here:
Inside Australia's Mangrove Yoga Ashram where children drugged, raped and beaten