Gloriavale escapee Pearl tells: ‘It was normal to be humiliated’
Published By admin with Comments 0
When Pearl Valor reflects on the key reasons that led to her and husband Paul breaking away from the reclusive Gloriavale community, one stands out above the rest: “We wanted to give our kids a better life than we had.”
Almost three years on, the couple and their five children, aged from four to 11, are thriving after moving to South Canterbury, well away from the isolated West Coast sect that previously controlled every aspect of their lives.
“It’s exciting to see our kids having a childhood which is very different to ours,” says Pearl. “They feel happy, healthy, and know people love and value them as humans.”
Pearl, 34, shared her compelling story on the recent TVNZ documentary Escaping Utopia. She explains there were many moments and events over the years that led to the family finally leaving the insular community.
One of the most pivotal was Pearl’s chance encounter with Christchurch woman Renae Low at a Gloriavale concert in 2018. Their instant connection and close friendship proved a significant turning point for Pearl, opening her eyes to life outside the community and questioning everything she had been taught.
“My best piece of advice for anyone in a situation where they are being controlled is to make a friend on the outside who has a different perspective,” she explains. “I can’t state that enough. My friendship with Renae was a key to my journey out.”
Content retrieved from: https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/news/real-life/pearl-valor-gloriavale/.
