Information and support in relation to child safety
The safety of children at the Gloriavale Christian Community is of the highest importance. As recommended in the recent Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, this part of our website has been created as part of our commitment to keeping children safe in our community. Dozens of resources and links are available here for people to report abuse or gain support. We want to provide a safe and supportive space for everyone who is, or has been, a member of the Gloriavale Community.
Why Online?
While Gloriavale’s population has been relatively small since the community’s inception, some former members have moved a long way, and internet access provides a centralized place for information and resources on child sexual abuse prevention. As well as providing our updated policies and procedures around our steps to prevent abuse, this website aims to provide a place for individuals to learn about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it. The internet has many resources about the recognition and prevention of sexual abuse. We welcome any feedback on this website.
We regretfully acknowledge that these types of matters have not always been properly addressed in the past. We are truly sorry for any harm and long-term damage to victims, and it is our aim to do better in future. The full apology delivered to Gloriavale members on 19-01-2025 can be seen here. We are committed to uphold New Zealand’s child care standards.
The following timeline gives some idea of what we have done in recent years to address abuse.
2015 Revise existing child care policies at our Early Childhood Education centres in the light of the 2014 Children’s Act
2015 start of working with police to run their school programme Keeping Ourselves Safe annually
2015 start of working with police to run their school programmes on road safety and safe cycling annually
2015 police meetings with school leavers to recognise sexual abuse and how to deal with predatory behaviour
2016 First training seminars for The Incredible Years. We went on to register two of our men as trainers to carry on in-house seminars over the next few years. These courses have been done by every married couple and single people involved with children, sometimes with an initial course and then a refresher.
2016 Day of fun activities with local Police
2017 Teachers from our Early Childhood Centres and the Gloriavale Christian School trained in Incredible Teaching seminars.
2017 Day of fun activities with local Police
2018 Emphasis on teaching from Romans 13 about complying with government authorities. This is on-going.
2020 Full co-operation with Police to investigate allegations of child sexual abuse in the community
2020 Emphasis on teaching that victims should not bear the blame for sexual abuse. This teaching is ongoing. (This was to overturn a traditional worldview that people should act in certain ways to avoid abusive situations. The unfortunate fruit of this teaching was that some victims were reluctant to report abuse in case they bore the blame for abuse occurring in the first place.)
2020 Engagement with outside agencies to develop policies for child safety
2020 Initial engagement with outside agencies to counsel victims of sexual abuse
2021 Full co-operation with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
2020 Introduction of the Child Protection Leads group, which meets weekly with staff from Oranga Tamariki
2020 Initial work with STOP counsellors to turn around perpetrators of child sexual abuse
2020 The community hosted dozens of visits from Police, OT and counsellors
2021 Initial work with counsellors to support victims
2021 Formal training for Church leadership and people in positions of trust to recognise different aspects of abuse and understand various avenues for reporting abuse
2021 Introduction of our community-wide Child Protection Policy, now on its third revision.
2021 The community hosted dozens of visits from Police, OT, counsellors and other government agencies
2022 Public acknowledgement of, and apology for, instances of recent sexual and physical abuse against children in the community.
2022 Invitation to former members to engage with Gloriavale leadership over allegations of abuse and to receive a personal apology. If any former members wish to engage with our leaders over this issue, please contact us.
2022 Introduction of Teaching Self Government programme for parents. This is managed by a committee of parents within the community.
2022 Barbecue and a day of fun activities with local Police
2024 Analysis of findings from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. These findings were freely available to community members.
2024 In-house discussions about redress for victims once the New Zealand government announces its programme in 2025.
2024 Third review of our Child Protection Policy.
2025 launch of this website page
2025 Apology for historical abuse
The Church at Gloriavale recognizes that child sexual abuse is an unwelcome issue that affects us all, directly or indirectly. We accept that any child may be at risk, so our policies and procedures are in place to mitigate abuse and its affects. The knowledge and tools available below aim to create a safer environment for all children. The following sites are all based in New Zealand.
Support agencies
The Church at Gloriavale has been involved with several New Zealand agencies over the last few years. Among them were STOP, run by professionals with high standards of conduct and understanding. Many of our people have had success with these counsellors. They are familiar with the standards of the Gloriavale community and its people. Victims of abuse have engaged with counsellors to meet their needs as well.
Where to get help if you have experienced abuse:
If it’s an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
If you’ve ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:
• Call free: 0800 044 334
• Text: 4334
• Email: support@safetotalk.nz
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Visit these sites for information about reporting options, legal rights, and the reporting process, with respect for cultural considerations.
For free, nationwide support for people affected by crime, suicide and traumatic events. Available 24/7 Website: Manaaki Tangata | Victim Support or phone 0800 842 846
The Citizens Advice Bureau help people to know and understand their rights. Website: cab.org.nz or phone 0800 367 222
MEDICAL CARE
These agencies ensure that survivors receive medical care with sensitivity and privacy. The services offer specialist medical service for adults (age 18 years & over) of either gender who have been sexually assaulted or abused. Survivors can access ongoing medical support addressing immediate and long-term health needs stemming from both recent and historic abuse. Helplines and support are available for Crisis Counselling 24/7. The remaining agencies are listed by geographic regions throughout New Zealand.
SOUTH ISLAND
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (West Coast)
Sexual Abuse Support and Healing (SASH) (Nelson and Tasman)
Southland Help – Rape and Abuse Support Centre
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (Otago)
Marlborough Sexual Violence Support Centre
Sexual Harm Services – Canterbury
NORTH ISLAND
Pohutukawa – Auckland Adult Sexual Assault Service
Wāhi Mārie – Sexual Assault Services – Wellington and Taranaki
Bay of Plenty Sexual Assault Support Services
Midlands Sexual Assault Support Services – Waikato
Northland – Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Service
WHAIORA SV Services Inc – Gisborne
EMOTIONAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT
The national network of those providing specialist services for sexual violence prevention and intervention is TOAH-NNEST (National Network Ending Sexual Violence). It represents about 40 specialist not for profit organisations (NGOs)and many individual specialists working throughout Aotearoa New Zealand in whanau/ families, hapu, iwi and communities. It also has associate members from a wide range of allied NGOs.
Website TOAH-NNEST
Phone 0800 118 104
Text 021 118 1043
The Road Forward Trust provides peer to peer support for survivors in Wellington, Porirua, Hutt Valley, Kapiti and Wairarapa.
Better Blokes provides free peer support for male survivors of sexual assault. This is Auckland based, with four contacts available in North, South, East and West Auckland along with a general contact point. Phone 0800 448 484.
WellStop is an innovative forward-looking culturally responsive organisation that aims to eliminate harmful sexual behaviour through positive choices, stronger whanau, and safer communities.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Project Restore NZ is New Zealand’s national provider of restorative justice for harmful sexual behaviour and sexual violence.
Restorative justice is a cost-free process that facilitates two parties coming together (this can be face-to-face or through other forms of communication) to address the harm that has been done. Restorative justice may include conversations about topics such as:
Through the ISSC (Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims), support is provided for anyone in New Zealand, including visitors to the country, who has experienced sexual violence. may also be able to help if you’re a New Zealand resident and have experienced sexual violence while travelling overseas. It doesn’t matter if the event happened recently or a long time ago. To get help if you have experienced child sexual abuse, please visit this website, or phone +64 9308 9712, or email info@projectrestore.nz.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides access to 24/7 hotlines and crisis centres staffed with professionals trained in trauma-informed care, sensitive to the unique needs of survivors reporting recent or historic abuse.
In summary
There are 10-12 hours of initial services accessible for anyone to use under ACC before a decision is made if the sessions will be funded or not.
The above initial help is open to anyone in New Zealand, whether the abuse happened in New Zealand or not.
If you want to discuss this process with ACC, you can phone 0800 101 996 and ask to speak with someone who is trained in the area of sensitive claims.
THE SURVIVOR EXPERIENCES SERVICE
The Survivor Experiences Service aims to provide a safe, supportive, confidential place where survivors of abuse in care, and their whānau, can share their experiences.
The Service is survivor-led, by survivors for survivors. It is guided by an independent Board, which includes survivors of abuse from diverse backgrounds.
Their staff have experience with survivors who have been abused in care. They are committed to working with survivors from all backgrounds to ensure the Service is fit-for-purpose and reflects the needs of survivors.
Phone 0800 456 090 or Text 8328 (8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday)
Information about child safety
The following selection of videos support education about different aspects of sexual and physical abuse. They are recommended viewing for children, young people, parents and other people in positions of trust.
Recognising and dealing with abuse (International info)
Material suitable for children
The nonprofit Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Foundation in the USA has developed a national campaign on child abuse awareness and prevention using animated videos produced in conjunction with Wonder Media and The Joshua Center on child sexual abuse at the University of Washington. The program’s main goal is to educate children about what to do when confronted with abusive behavior, safe and unsafe touches, going to a parent or another trusted adult if they are confronted in an unsafe situation, and that it is not their fault. Videos are for grades K-6 and teenagers. Also, videos are presented for kids that have suffered abuse but have been afraid to tell. The program has been developed and scripted by child advocates, therapists, and national scholars and tested at various stages of development with students, teachers, school administrators, parents, and experts in the field of child abuse.
Further information on conduct that should be reported
Warning about sexual abuse that can occur in the family