Gloriavale leaver launches High Court civil proceedings against leaders

September 23, 2020: By Joanne Carroll – 23/09/2020 [Video can be viewed in article link]. A former Gloriavale member is taking legal action against the West Coast Christian community, accusing leaders of “dereliction of duty” towards their followers. John Ready filed civil proceedings in the High Court at Greymouth on Wednesday seeking the…

Gloriavale member forced to leave after criticising leadership’s ‘ungodly’ rules, ‘pre-eminence of sin’

September 21, 2020: By Michael Morrah – 21/09/2020 (Video can be viewed in article link). A leader and trustee of religious group Gloriavale has been forced to leave after criticising the leadership for overseeing “ungodly” rules, fear and a lack of accountability. In a letter, Zion Pilgrim gave a rare glimpse into concerning…

Charities Services declines calls to reinvestigate Gloriavale

September 7, 2020: By: Sam Sherwood – 07/09/2020 (Video can be viewed from article link). Alleged abuse, forced separation of families, poor healthcare, unsafe working conditions for young children. A culture of domination and control. Yet the Charities Services says these allegations from dozens of former Glorivale members are not “oppressive” enough for…

Former member upset Gloriavale is still a charity after abuse allegations

September 7, 2020: By Kaysha Brownlie – 07/09/2020 (Videos can be viewed from article link) Former Gloriavale members say they’re disgusted the West Coast religious group is still a charity, following allegations of sexual abuse, spiritual abuse and emotional harm. Charities Services – a government organisation that promotes public trust and confidence in…

Royal commission gathering evidence relating to Gloriavale

August 26, 2020: By Sam Sherwood  – 26/08/2020 (Videos can be viewed from article link) The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is looking into Gloriavale, with an investigation into the community possible. It comes amid revelations Gloriavale leaders forced a 13-year-old girl to sit in a room with a man…

Unmasking Gloriavale to give a voice to the voiceless

August 24, 2020: By: Esther Ashby-Coventry – 24/08/2020 (Videos can be viewed in article link). The grandson of Hopeful Christian, the founder of the secretive Gloriavale community, was shocked to discover his grandfather had been convicted of sex offending and jailed. James Harrison said he and his fellow Gloriavale members were not told…

Gloriavale’s sexual assault policy asks victims to ‘forgive’ abusers, gives offenders three chances to stop

August 22, 2020: By: Sam Sherwood and Joanne Carroll – 22/08/2020 (Video can be viewed in article link). Sexual assault victims at the secretive religious Gloriavale sect are made to meet with their abuser and forgive them – without police being notified. Gloriavale leaders then give offenders “second and third chances” to stop…

Gloriavale leavers calling for new investigation into community

July 26, 2020: By Sam Sherwood and Oliver Lewis – 26/07/2020 (Video can be viewed from article link). Dozens of former Gloriavale members are calling on the charities regulator to reinvestigate the controversial West Coast group, citing alleged abuse, mismanagement and a raft of other concerns. It follows a 2015 investigation by Charities…