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Surviving Centrepoint : my years in New Zealand's most infamous cult

documentary heritage
  • Description

    "Shortly before she turned 13, the author's life changed forever when her family moved to the Centrepoint Community on Auckland's North Shore. Founded by Bert Potter, Centrepoint was promoted as a place of peace and beauty but gradually it became known that Centrepoint was rife with child abuse, drug manufacturing and usage. Potter's real agenda has since been described as being as ugly as it was self-serving.

    Through careful manipulation and psychological bullying this self-styled guru created an environment in which he and others were able to prey on the vulnerable, especially the young, at will. During her four years there the author was pressured and manipulated into inappropriate and at times frightening situations by many of its adult members including its counsellors. Free sexuality was strongly encouraged, including between different age groups, and to resist was actively discouraged. There was no way to escape. Sometimes she was given drugs and was told at the time they were a treat. Now an adult, she sees only darkness behind the intention in giving them to her, a child. Due to the sensitive nature of this book, the author has chosen to use a pseudonym to protect her privacy and that of others. This is her story, the first account of life inside the confines of the Centrepoint Community"--Back cover.

  • Place
  • Other Id

    HQ970 JAM (Library of Congress Call Number)

    88917 (Cat ID)

    88759 (Presto content ID)

  • Department

Images and documents

Catalogue

  • Object Type
  • Name/Title
    Surviving Centrepoint : my years in New Zealand's most infamous cult
  • Primary Maker
  • Contributor/Publisher
    David Ling Publishing Limited
  • Place
  • Date
    2013
  • Physical Description

    155 pages : colour illustrations ; 24 cm

  • ISBN/ISSN
    9781877378836
  • Level of Current Record
    Bib record
  • Member Object

    1 item in this collection. View all items.

  • Content
    My years before Centrepoint -- Visiting Centrepoint -- My years at Centrepoint -- My years after Centrepoint -- Reflection -- The Centrepoint community.
  • Public Access Text

    [Keywords: James, Ella; Centrepoint (Albany, N.Z.); Adult child sexual abuse victims--New Zealand--Biography; Cults--New Zealand--Auckland; Communal living--New Zealand--Auckland]

    A young woman's story of her life inside the infamous Centrepoint Community--Cover. Includes bibliographical references.

  • Collection Type
    Reading Room
  • Copyright
    All rights reserved
  • Last Update
    16 Dec 2023
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