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A former Glorivale member is taking legal action against the West Coast Christian community, accusing the leaders of “breach of duty” towards their followers.
John Ready filed a civil suit in Greymouth Superior Court on Wednesday seeking the removal of the trustees who govern Gloriavale for misconduct, mismanagement and dereliction of duty.
A group of former members, including James Harrison and Virginia Courage, gathered outside of court Wednesday to support Ready. Many cried and clapped when he came out after filling out the papers.
“It’s not about destroying Gloriavale in any way … it’s about seeing that the right thing is done for the people who live there,” Ready said.
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He said he feared for the safety of people, especially young children.
Alden Williams / Stuff
Gloriavale leaders are being accused of “breach of duty” towards their people.
Ready’s sister Courage said it was a bold move to take on an organization the size of Gloriavale.
“This is a day to start the tide where these people can have freedom, and their voices can be heard and most families can come together. It’s amazing.”
Harrison said it was an exciting day.
“We have been out of Gloriavale for five and a half years and have fought for change with so many different government agencies.
“I am very happy that John has had the courage to defend all of us who have family and friends in whom we want to see freedom.”
Joanne Carroll / Things
Former Gloriavale members, John Ready and James Harrison, in front of the Greymouth District Court, where a group of former community members initiated civil proceedings against Gloriavale.
Ready has a legal team working on the pro bono case with the support of the Gloriavale Leavers’ Trust.
Trust spokeswoman Liz Gregory said it was a “historic moment” on behalf of everyone who has ever lived in the community.
“This is an incredible moment in history unlike any other Gloriavale has faced. This is a real cry for help. This will have an impact on the lives of many people ”.
Police have been investigating allegations of sexual abuse in the community.
Stuff It previously revealed that Gloriavale Leavers Support Trust met with Charities Services last December and submitted a letter signed by 35 people who recently left Gloriavale asking the agency to open another investigation.
The letter raised a number of concerns, including alleged physical, emotional, and spiritual abuse, sick children left alone because their parents had to work, lack of private space for families, and pressure for members to lie to agencies. external such as Oranga Tamariki and police.
Joanne Carroll / Things
Ready hugs his sister, Virginia Courage, with supporters outside the Greymouth courthouse.
On August 17, Charities Services CEO Natasha Weight told the trust that she would not open another investigation at this stage.
It followed a 2015 investigation by Charities Services, part of the Department of Internal Affairs, into the operation of The Christian Church Community Trust, the registered charity behind the community.
The trustees may have acted in a manner that constituted gross misconduct under the Charities Act, investigators found, particularly when it came to issues that included handling allegations of physical and sexual assault and members wishing to leave the organization. community.
Stuff
Gloriavale’s isolated west coast Christian community has distinguished itself from the rest of society for more than 50 years.
However, Charities Services decided that it was in the public interest that the Trust remain on the Charities Registry, adding that there was a high level of cooperation and genuine interest on the part of the Trustees to act in the best interest of the Trust and the Gloriavale community.
Gregory previously said that Charities Services had received hundreds of concerns in recent years about the oppressive nature of Gloriavale’s leadership toward its members.
“I cannot explain how badly an organization must go before there is an intervention. This is a disgrace for New Zealand.
“There are people who suffer damage in Gloriavale on a regular basis and unless government agencies take it seriously, there will be more and more damage.”
An abandonment of Gloriavale, who previously spoke with Stuff On condition of anonymity, he said Charities Services needed to do its job and investigate.
“The people of Gloriavale are not free. Basic human rights are denied. They live in what amounts to a communist regime, ”he said.
