Public apology from Gloriavale leaders for labour, sex scandals

GREYMOUTH: Gloriavale’s leaders have offered a public apology for failing to protect victims of labour exploitation and sexual abuse.

The apology comes in the wake of several scandals surrounding the reclusive West Coast Christian sect.

Just this week, Silver Fern Farms pulled out of commercial agreements with the community and the head of its school, Faithful Pilgrim, was suspended from teaching after endorsing a teacher he knew had sexually assaulted a 9yearold girl.

In the letter, the leaders say much has changed at Gloriavale since its leadership changed in 2018 after founder Neville Cooper, who was known as Hopeful Christian, died.

Cooper himself spent time in prison for sexual offending in the community.

Gloriavale was founded by Mr Cooper in the late 1960s in Canterbury.

The community relocated to the West Coast in the 1990s, where it still operated and had hundreds of followers.

Police and Oranga Tamariki conducted investigations at the community in recent years and several cases of sexual abuse had been through the courts while other prosecutions were ongoing.

The Employment Court also recently ruled members of the community who worked up to 70 hours a week for years were not volunteers and employment standards should be enforced.

‘‘We are deeply saddened by the harm members of our community have experienced,’’ the letter said.

‘‘We apologise for our role in failing to prevent and protect victims of labour exploitation and sexual abuse.

‘‘We are seeking to reach out to those no longer in our community and encouraging them, along with our current members, to speak to us openly if they have experienced harm in any way.’’

The group said it put in place procedures that ‘‘make it safe for people in our community to share their experiences, and which allow us to take steps to ensure they are loved and protected, with options for remedy’’.

‘‘We can state categorically that child labour is no longer used in the commercial activities of any of our businesses, and our health and safety policies are now fully aligned with the International Labour Organisation Conventions on child labour.’’ — RNZ