Some former students and teachers of so-called "sacred sexuality" courses operating here and overseas claim those who run them are turning a blind eye to predators.
They also claim they've suffered emotional, physical and sexual abuse at courses costing thousands of dollars run by the International School of Temple Arts - or ISTA - which does its New Zealand training at Highden Temple in rural Manawatū.
Ruth Hill reports.
Both the school and Highden Temple leader Bruce Lyon have declined interviews with RNZ but emailed written statements in response to questions.
ISTA's leadership team says it's contracted third party mediators and has begun work on improving its intake process, faculty training and follow up care.
However, they say ISTA has been the target of an online campaign of lies and misinformation, causing "significant financial loss, professional damage, and emotional distress" and its leaders are considering legal action if this behaviour continues.
Bruce Lyon says under a policy adopted in November last year the teaching team running Temple Training do not engage sexually with participants.
He says Highden is not a therapeutic school but all applicants are extensively screened and there is now a greater focus on care and support during and after training for those with historic trauma.
