'He deserved to rot in jail' - woman who claims she suffered sexual abuse at hands of former Gloriavale leader gives emotional interview

May 16, 2018

Yvette Olsen says she is grieving the fact that Hopeful Christian didn't get the justice he deserved while alive.

A woman who claimed she was sexually abused by former Gloriavale leader Hopeful Christian in the 1980s has given an emotional interview after his death, saying he escaped justice and "deserved to rot in jail."

Yvette Olsen, a former Gloriavale member now living in Australia, says she is grieving the fact that Hopeful Christian didn't get the justice he deserved while alive.

"I don't believe he met the justice he so richly deserved, he deserved to rot in jail for the rest of his life.

"He never took responsibility for anything he did that is why there are so many sufferers out here," Ms Olsen told 1 NEWS.

However, she still feels sorry for those affected by his death that she keeps in touch with.

Sunday’s Jehan Casinader interviewed the religious leader before he died, and says the community will adapt to go on without him.

"I'm sorry the man's dead but I more feel grief for his children who are my friends."

Her biggest emotion on hearing the news of Hopeful Christian's death at 92 is one of relief though.

"Complete and utter shock and then I have to admit I must have gone through a hundred emotions but the biggest one is relief his hold over me is finally over, he can't do anymore damage and for that I feel a lot of relief."

While the West Coast commune mourns his death at 92, others have taken the opportunity to speak out against him.

Ms Olsen says she can now speak more openly of her traumatic experiences at the hands of Christian without fear of reprisal.

"When he was alive he would try and say everything I said was a lie and it wasn't, it's the truth - now he can't do that anymore."

SHARE ME

More Stories