27 Mar 2024

Govt agencies accused of allowing abuse at Gloriavale

From Midday Report, 12:15 pm on 27 March 2024

Four government agencies are being accused of knowingly allowing abuse of children and women to happen at Gloriavale.

A new documentary Escaping Utopia which has been screening on TVNZ this week has once again turned the spotlight on the religious community.

Barrister Brian Henry has filed proceedings against Oranga Tamariki, the Department of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Social Development and Labour Inspectorate, and is calling for the West Coast commune to be shut down.

He describes the subjugation of girls, who are denied an education, and are "enslaved to a male sexualised community".

Chief Children's Commissioner leading Mana Mokopuna - the Children and Young People's Commission Dr Claire Achmad spoke to Charlotte Cook.