Rachel Lees, at 20, standing beside the founder and former leader of IBLP, Bill Gothard. Photo: Rachel Lees
A woman is speaking out about her time in a fundamentalist Christian group, which teaches that women must obey their husband's every wish.
Rachel Lees grew up in a conservative Christian home, so was not fazed by dressing modestly or waiting until marriage to have sex, but when she became involved with the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) - also known as the Advanced Training Institute (ATI) - she said every aspect of her life was controlled.
In the early 1990s, her parents attended a seminar in Auckland held by American minister Bill Gothard. Lees said her parents were so inspired they pulled her siblings out of school and began home-schooling them as he instructed.
Gothard was the founder of IBLP, which followed a strict family structure where men held the power, and their wives and children had to obey.
Lees said she was not very interested in Gothard's teachings but "tagged along".
A photograph of Rachel Lees taken in 1993. Photo: Rachel Lees
At the time Lees was working for a Christian radio station, and she said when she told Gothard this he was "appalled".
"He told me that was no place for a lady like me to work and offered me an all-expenses trip to IBLP's headquarters in Chicago to live and serve as his secretary."
She was 20 and Gothard was 59.
Rules at the headquarters were strict, Lees said, no rock music, even if it was Christian was allowed and jeans were off-limits.
Kissing before marriage could get you expelled, and women were expected to be homemakers.
'He worked his way into my trust'
Most of Lees' time was spent with Gothard and he would take her with him as he travelled.
"He would have counselling sessions with me and ask personal questions about my life, and a boy I dated back home.
"I trusted him and when he began touching me, I thought it was in a grandfatherly way at first".
Lees said the touching became "invasive" - resting his hand on her thigh, rubbing his foot up her leg, holding her while running his hands up and down her back.
"I found this confusing because he was open about his purity - he never married and said he was a virgin who never kissed a woman. His teachings relied heavily on purity culture."
The intensity of the relationship continued to grow, but issues with her visa meant Lees had to return home.
She continued working for IBLP at their New Zealand branch, but felt like a "shell of her former self".
The entrance to what was until recently, the base of IBLP's New Zealand headquarters on Wellington Rd in Marton. Photo: Google Maps
Lees ended up getting married and having children, and began questioning things.
"Having a sexual relationship made me feel the way Bill touched me was wrong".
The lawsuit
In 2012, Lees was sent a link to a story in which a woman alleged she had been sexually harassed by Gothard.
Lees shared her own experience online and contacted Gothard to try and get closure.
"An ex-member said Gothard actually wanted to marry me and had asked the IBLP board about it.
"I asked him to tell me if it was true, but it was a frustrating process."
As allegations of sexual harassment continued, with 34 women speaking out, Gothard stood down from IBLP.
A screenshot showing part of the statement Bill Gothard published on his website after the allegations were made public. Photo: SUPPLIED
"My actions of holding hands, hugs, and touching of feet or hair with young ladies crossed the boundaries of discretion and were wrong," he said in a statement at the time.
Lees said a lawyer organising a lawsuit against Gothard and IBLP contacted her and she agreed to take part as one of 17 plaintiffs.
"Unfortunately at that time anyway, there was a statue of limitations in Illinois of 20 years, and nearly all the plaintiffs weren't within that time."
When approached by RNZ, a spokesperson for Gothard denied grooming Lees or touching her in any way that was inappropriate.
"This type of false allegation by Rachel cheapens the experience of millions of women who have suffered actual sexual abuse and harassment worldwide."
In terms of Gothard wanting to marry Lees, the spokesperson said the story had been twisted.
"Bill told board members he should perhaps get married. Another member suggested Rachel but concerns were expressed by others about how it would look due to the large age gap and Bill said he was satisfied God wanted him to be single.
"It appeared there was interest on Rachel's part to land the coveted Mrs Gothard position.
"It's her imagination that he was about to kiss her. He strongly denies that - hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."
Sharing her story
Rachel Lees, now lives in Tauranga and is studying sociology. Photo: Rachel Lees
While she shared her story online, Lees will speak publicly about her experience at Australasia's first cult awareness conference - DeCult - in Christchurch this month.
"I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with other survivors. It's all about reclaiming yourself."
IBLP still holds conferences in New Zealand - it was based out of an old hall in Marton, but recently downsized its operation and sold the property.
A spokesperson for IBLP said the group "did not wish to comment" on the group's teachings or the allegations against Gothard.
