Stuff: Gloriavale employment case urgent to ensure other females’ safety

By Lee Kenny | Stuff |

Six former residents of Gloriavale Christian Community, all of them women, have won the right to have their case heard in the Employment Court.

The case will be treated as urgent to ensure the safety of other females, including young girls, who still live in the West Coast community.

The individuals – Serenity Pilgrim, Anna Courage, Rose Standtrue, Crystal Loyal, Pearl Valor and Virginia Courage – say that during their time at Gloriavale they were required to undertake work under the direction and control of the Overseeing Shepherd and the Shepherds, and that they were employees.

Their claim also extends to an alleged breach of statutory duty by the Labour Inspectorate, which undertook an investigation and concluded that members of the Gloriavale community were volunteers, not employees.

Further reading and video: Gloriavale employment case urgent to ensure other females’ safety