AWLA has written an open letter to the Government urging it to take immediate action to address concerns for the health and safety of wāhine and tamariki residing in Gloriavale Christian Community.
In December last year, the Government abandoned a Cabinet-mandated joint agency response to work on several key welfare outcomes for members of Gloriavale. AWLA is concerned about the ongoing abuse within the Gloriavale community as detailed in the recent findings of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry, the findings of the Employment Court and criminal prosecutions arising from Police Operation Mathius.
The failure to renew the Joint Agency response removes one of the few key protection mechanisms for a highly vulnerable group of New Zealanders, with former members reporting extensive sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, particularly perpetrated against wāhine and tamariki.
AWLA calls for Gloriavale to be stripped of its charitable status and urges the Government to investigate mechanisms to disestablish Gloriavales existence, as precedented by the forced closure of the Centrepoint Community in Albany in 2000.
You can read the letter below.
November Breakfast Club – South Auckland
Safety Boots
AWLA Open letter to the Government – Gloriavale Christian Community – Auckland Women Lawyers' Association