Gloriavale document swears members to secrecy

The controversial community of Gloriavale is under scrutiny again after a document that seeks to legally bind members to secrecy was revealed.

The document allegedly included clauses that stopped members from speaking about the community to outsiders and others that prohibited any legal action, TVNZ reported.

The document reportedly said: "I will not betray any confidence or disclose any inappropriate information about this community to any outside person or any organisation.

"I will not take legal action against the community nor bring any before any government or other authority or use the news media against them."

The controversial community of Gloriavale is under scrutiny again after a document that seeks to legally bind members to secrecy was revealed.

The document allegedly included clauses that stopped members from speaking about the community to outsiders and others that prohibited any legal action, TVNZ reported.

The document reportedly said: "I will not betray any confidence or disclose any inappropriate information about this community to any outside person or any organisation.

"I will not take legal action against the community nor bring any before any government or other authority or use the news media against them."

Tarawa fled the Gloriavale community nine years ago with her parents Perry and Miracle Tarawa. She now lives in Christchurch.

She was not convinced by one line in the contract that said legal advice should be sought before signing.

"Is the lawyer produced a lawyer that works for the community or is it a independent lawyer who is going to give me objective advice," she asked.

Lilia Tarawa's book Daughter of Gloriavale - My life in a Religious Cult was released in 2017.

Revelations about the documents contents come just weeks after the Greymouth Star reported police were making almost daily visits over a week to the Christian community.

It was understood at least 33 female members of the community had been interviewed.

West Coast Area Commander Inspector Mel Aitken said police had an "ongoing positive relationship and commitment" with the Gloriavale Christian Community, which had a population of more than 550 people.

"A multi-agency approach to safety within the community has been adopted at Gloriavale, and regular visits are made to the community by police, and also in a multi-agency led approach which includes Oranga Tamariki, District Health Board and the Ministry of Education," she said.

They continued to work with the Gloriavale leadership to assist in providing advice and support, she said.

"Should concerns come to police attention or be raised by members within the community, strategies are discussed and implemented to ensure those residing within the community, are kept safe from harm.

"Any criminal offences identified are dealt with by police in the same way they are in any other community."

Gloriavale leader Fervent Stedfast declined comment on the police visits apart from to say "there's always rumours".

Comments

Just wondering about the cost to the taxpayer of the following: "A multi-agency approach to safety within the community has been adopted at Gloriavale, and regular visits are made to the community by police, and also in a multi-agency led approach which includes Oranga Tamariki, District Health Board and the Ministry of Education," she said.
The practices at Gloriavale mean the rest of us have to pay for intensive monitoring. If it needs to be watched this carefully, should it be allowed to continue at all?