Lilia Tarawa—granddaughter of Gloriavale founder Neville Cooper—shares her perspective on the new Paramount+ documentary Devotion, which offers unprecedented access inside the isolated New Zealand religious community. While she appreciates the rare footage and the opportunity to hear from current members, Lilia argues that the documentary fails to present the full reality of Gloriavale by omitting critical historical context, survivor experiences, and the systemic ab*se that has shaped the community for decades. Drawing from her own upbringing inside the group, she explains how communal living, isolation, rigid gender roles, and absolute obedience created an environment where manipulation and control became normalized. The conversation then examines Gloriavale's culture of secrecy, forgiveness, and institutional protection of ab*se. Lilia challenges the documentary's balanced approach, arguing that presenting current leaders' perspectives without fully addressing their roles in enabling abuse risks minimizing the harm suffered by survivors.
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/liliatarawa/
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Book: “Daughter of Gloriavale: My Life in a Religious Cult”
For inquires, email: [email protected]
Podcast - Brandbreaker with Lilia Tarawa: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/brandbreaker-with-lilia-tarawa/id1859810768
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