Lawyer Calls for Government Intervention at Gloriavale After Leader Admits Sexual Offences

A senior lawyer representing former members of the Gloriavale Christian Community has called on the Prime Minister to take urgent action to intervene in the remote West Coast settlement after its leader admitted to multiple sexual assault charges.

Leader Admits to 12 Charges

Howard Temple, 85, the leader of Gloriavale, pleaded guilty to 12 charges this week, including five counts of indecent assault, five counts of indecent acts, and two counts of common assault. The charges spanned a period of over two decades, with nine complainants aged between 9 and 20 involved. Some of the charges were withdrawn, but the scale and duration of the alleged abuse have shocked the public and legal community alike.

Historic Abuse in Isolated Community

Lawyer Brian Henry, who has represented numerous former Gloriavale members, has described the abuse as not just “historic” but as a systemic issue that has persisted for over 50 years. He said the community has been run by a group of male sex offenders who have, in many cases, bred their own victims.

“For 50 years this organisation has been run by male sex offenders who have bred their victims,” Henry said. “The Prime Minister is the only one who can knock the heads of government agencies together. Everyone else has been sitting on their hands.”

Call for Government Control

Henry has urged the government to use its existing powers under social welfare legislation and the Corporations Investigation Act to seize control of Gloriavale’s assets and administration. He argued that the community has now become a criminal organisation of sex offending and that the government must step in to protect vulnerable members.

“Social welfare has the power to remove families from harm. The Government can step in and straighten this out,” he said.

Community Members Are 'Genuinely Good Christian People'

While Henry did not advocate for the complete shutdown of Gloriavale, he emphasized that the leadership is deeply flawed. “Many inside are genuinely good Christian people,” he said, but he added that the culture of abuse was created by the leadership, including Temple and others.

Henry also warned that if the community opposes government intervention, they are not in a position to make that decision. “They’re brainwashed. Are we going to let them watch their daughters be molested every morning?” he asked.

Decades of Warnings Ignored

Henry expressed frustration that government agencies have known about the abuse for years, citing previous court findings. He called on the Prime Minister to act decisively, stating that only the top of government can make agencies do their job.

“They’ve known since the day they convicted Hopeful Christian. For God’s sake, Prime Minister, you’re the only one who can step up now and make Government do its job,” he said.

Community Response and Next Steps

As the legal process continues, the community and legal experts are closely watching the government’s response. With a history of isolation and control, Gloriavale remains a focal point for discussions on accountability, justice, and the role of the state in protecting vulnerable populations.