The Silence of Guilt: A Hard Look at ‘No Comment’ Culture

Two words. Just two words. “No comment.” For such a short, dismissive phrase, it carries extraordinary weight. In the realm of law enforcement and public scandals, it is often perceived as a shield, a way for individuals to evade further incrimination. Yet, in its simplest interpretation, it is also a kind of surrender. And to the victims, the public, and even justice itself, it can feel like an insult.

When individuals under suspicion resort to “No comment,” the perception is almost universal: guilt. Even before the courts deliver a verdict, public opinion has largely decided. Why? Because truth, or at least an innocent version of events, demands transparency. If someone truly has nothing to hide, why not speak up? The phrase becomes a linguistic barricade, suggesting that any further words could inadvertently unravel their fabricated story.

The Insult of Silence

For the victims, “No comment” is more than a refusal to answer questions, it’s a refusal to acknowledge their pain. Imagine being the victim of a crime or injustice, waiting to hear the accused explain, apologise, or even deny but instead, hearing silence. It sends a clear message: “Your experience doesn’t matter enough for me to engage with.”

This isn’t just a problem for individuals; it plays out on a larger scale in public scandals. Take Mike Pilavachi, for example. Once a revered figure in Christian ministry, he has now become the subject of numerous corroborated allegations of abuse. And yet, his response has been deafening silence. His “No comment” approach, whether literal or through his conspicuous absence, feels like an insult to those who came forward to share their harrowing experiences. These victims showed courage in breaking their silence, and Pilavachi’s refusal to answer only compounds their pain.

But this silence isn’t just on Pilavachi, it extends to those who once stood alongside him in ministry. Figures like Andy Croft, Ali Martin, and Pete and Tim Hughes, Martyn and Emily Layzell to name but a few, once his close collaborators and associates, also bear responsibility. Their silence in the wake of these allegations does more harm than good. They may argue that they need time, that they didn’t know, or that they’re no longer involved, but these are weak excuses in the face of the gravity of what has come to light.

We Say, ‘Yes Comment’

Silence cannot be the end of the story. As a society, we must insist on something better. “No comment” protects no one, it only perpetuates harm. To Andy Croft, Ali Martin, and others who were part of Mike Pilavachi’s ministry: the call is clear. We say, “Yes comment.” Speak out. How else can we learn? How else can those harmed feel seen and heard?

Full exposure, uncomfortable as it may be, is the only path forward. These leaders were part of a system that allowed harm to fester. Whether knowingly complicit or tragically unaware, their silence now does nothing to dismantle that system. Instead, it allows the cycle to continue.

This is not about dragging people through the mud, it’s about accountability. Transparency is how healing begins, how trust is rebuilt, and how a culture of integrity is established. Without it, we remain stuck in a cycle where victims are silenced and abusers hide behind carefully constructed walls of silence.

What Needs to Change

Here’s the positive turn we need: silence must never be the last word. Institutions, individuals, and leaders must face the accusations with transparency, even when it’s uncomfortable. Truth and accountability are the only way forward. For Mike Pilavachi and his former associates, this means stepping into the light and addressing the allegations head-on. They owe it to the victims, to the communities they led, and to the future of the Church.

As a society, we must demand that silence is no longer acceptable. We must champion victims and whistleblowers, creating a culture where truth is the expectation, not the exception. The phrase “No comment” should no longer carry the power it does. Instead, it should signal the beginning of our collective call for justice, louder and more relentless than ever.

In the end, silence doesn’t absolve guilt, it amplifies it. Let’s ensure those who wield “No comment” as a weapon of evasion face a world that refuses to let them disappear into the quiet.