Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Surviving Centrepoint


Publication Monday 12 August, 2013
 


by Ella James
David Ling Publishing
978-­1-­877378-83-6
$29.99
230 x 152mm, 160pp, paperback


 



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.

The book is totally embargoed until Monday 12 August but The Bookman can tell you now that it is going to cause a real stir.

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