Gloriavale woman details punishment for shoplifting as a child

by Ryan Boswell | 1News Reporter |

A Gloriavale woman today told a court she was made to live by herself, away from her family, as punishment for being caught shoplifting as a child.

Rapture Standtrue was 11 years old when she was confined to a caravan for about two weeks at the West Coast commune, and was not allowed to attend school.

The now 39-year-old said she had trouble with stealing for “a couple of years”. She did not reveal what she had taken.

The evidence was presented to the Employment Court, which is deciding whether six former residents were employees or volunteers at Gloriavale, with claims the leaders had total “power and control”.

“I was a sinner and I know that I was wrong,” Standtrue said.

Further reading: https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/02/23/gloriavale-woman-details-punishment-for-shoplifting-as-a-child/