Gloriavale Abuse Trial: Victims Too Afraid to Speak Out, Court Told

Greymouth, New Zealand — A climate of fear within the Gloriavale community has allegedly prevented victims from speaking out about sexual abuse committed by the community's 85-year-old leader, Howard Temple, a court has heard. Temple, known as the Overseeing Shepherd of Gloriavale, is on trial at the Greymouth District Court, facing a total of 24 charges of sexual offending against girls and young women over a period of more than two decades. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The trial began with the testimony of the first of nine complainants. The former Gloriavale member, who has had her name suppressed for protection, told the court that she was too scared to report the repeated indecent touching she endured. She described how Temple, as a figure of authority within the community, had the power to change the trajectory of her life — but instead, she feared speaking out.

"The man's wife would be at fault because she wasn't doing the right things to keep her husband's eyes only on her, and the girl who had been abused was also at fault because she had obviously tempted the man in a way that made him feel like he could do those things to her," she said.

The woman, who was born at Gloriavale and left in her 20s, explained that even minor actions, such as not tying the belt on the uniform in the correct type of bow or showing too much hair under a headscarf, could be seen as attempts to attract the attention of men. Speaking out about the abuse, she said, risked being branded a flirt or facing severe consequences such as being shamed, isolated, or even being barred from marriage — a punishment she described as "pretty severe" within the community.

She recounted incidents where Temple grabbed her, rubbed her legs, or pulled her toward him in the dining room while she was serving food or drinks. She said she was sure others had noticed but had not intervened. "In addition to being scared to say anything, I thought something was maybe wrong with me for not liking it," she said.

The defense, led by Michael Vesty, argued that some of the incidents Temple was accused of may have occurred, but he denied that they were indecent. Vesty described the alleged actions as "gestures of gratitude and support" that were acceptable in the community's context. He also pointed to letters Temple sent to the complainant when she was a teenager, which he said reflected a "well-meaning interest" from a pastoral perspective.

Vesty cross-examined the complainant, focusing on letters Temple sent to her during his time in India, where he was setting up a Christian community and orphanage. He also challenged her account of a comment Temple was alleged to have made to her weeks after her marriage, which she claimed was about her sex life.

The court viewed a video of the woman's police interview before she took the stand. In the video, she told police she had not told anyone of the alleged touching, groping, hugging, and harassment because she feared being blamed.

The trial continues with further testimonies expected to be heard in the coming days. The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting the long-standing power dynamics and cultural norms within the Gloriavale community, as well as the challenges faced by victims of abuse in such environments.