25 Jul 2019

Gloriavale Leavers' Support Trust welcomed by former members

From Morning Report, 6:13 am on 25 July 2019

A former member of the Gloriavale Christian Community believes the establishment of a new charity will encourage more members to leave the controversial group.

The Gloriavale Leavers' Support Trust is looking to raise $100,000 on the website, Givealittle, to support people once they turn their back on the community.

The most recent family to leave left at the weekend. James Harrison left Gloriavale in 2015 with his wife and 12 children, after spending his whole life in the commune.

He says the community leaders would use fear as a tool to prevent people from ever leaving.

Mr Harrison told RNZ Christchurch reporter Nicholas Pointon no one could understand what it was like to walk away from the only life you and your family have ever known.