RNZ – Sexual harassment of Gloriavale workers a ‘normal’ occurrence, court hears

By Jean Edwards – RNZ – 07/09/2022

Workplace sexual harassment was normal at Gloriavale, where leaders would grab girls’ bottoms, unzip their dresses or ping their bra straps in the kitchen, a former member says.

Rosanna Overcomer told an Employment Court hearing the behaviour made her feel sick but was laughed off as nothing to worry about by older women and other girls at the Christian commune.

Overcomer was born into the community when it was based at Springbank north of Christchurch, but left Gloriavale with her husband and children in 2013.

She said most of the abuse happened in the kitchen, where she started working regularly from the age of 13, by men including Gloriavale founder Hopeful Christian.

Read more here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/474339/sexual-harassment-of-gloriavale-workers-a-normal-occurrence-court-hears