Commune leader: Child-sex 'healthy'

Photo: Grahame Cox

Bert Potter was jailed for indecently assaulting children.

Related Links

Public trust conceals criticisms

Relevant offers

The spiritual leader of controversial Auckland commune Centrepoint says former child residents who were abused there are only imagining their trauma, and he would love to see the commune reopened.

Bert Potter, 85, was jailed for child sex offending 18 years ago, but today maintains that sexual activity is healthy for children.

"What's wrong with sexual contact? I don't think they had enough. That's not just children at Centrepoint; I think those that didn't get to Centrepoint are probably much worse off and need a lot more sexual contact."

He said Massey University research, released last week, which found serious long-term consequences for children who grew up at Centrepoint, reflected questioning by the interviewers that had "led them to get the answer they want to hear".

"A lot of things that [the former residents] are quoting as damaging are because they've been told that they're damaging. They've been told: 'The sex you've had was an abusive situation.' But they were quite happy with what was going on. It was an ideal place for children to be brought up."

Over three years, using open interviewing techniques, Massey University psychologists interviewed 29 volunteers from among the estimated 200-300 children who lived or stayed at the "therapeutic community" on Auckland's North Shore during its years of operation from 1977 to 2000. About a third of those interviewed said they had been sexually abused at the commune, and about half said they had had underage sex.

Participants reported being given drugs and coerced by adults into having sex, either with other children or with adults, and most agreed it was common to have sex for the first time between the ages of 11 and 13.

The researchers found that while some had positive experiences, others were deeply traumatised by sexual abuse, parental neglect, drug abuse and the stigma surrounding the community. Many now suffered ongoing psychological disorders.

But Potter rejected the findings. "I don't know one child that really suffered. I stand by what was happening and would have kept on happening if it hadn't been taken over."

Potter lost his hold over the community when he was convicted and sentenced to 3 1/2 years in jail in 1990 on drug charges. In 1992 he was sentenced to 7 1/2 years for indecent assaults on five children, including a 3 1/2-year-old. Today he lives alone on the outskirts of Auckland, in an $18-a-week pensioner flat with portraits of himself on the walls. He rarely has visitors, but is in contact with some of the "Old Believers" who remained loyal to him after his convictions. They include David Mendelssohn, who was convicted at the same time as Potter for indecently assaulting three minors, and now lives in a Centrepoint-style commune, including children, in Australia.

Several of the former Centrepoint children interviewed revealed their parents had sexually abused children before coming to the commune, which, said the researchers, raised "the possibility that there were some parents who decided to go to Centrepoint because of the opportunities provided for paedophile activity". Potter rejected this, and accusations he had produced drugs at the community in order to help him prey on young girls there.

"Having my way with them came first. Then if they wanted to, if they were older, you could introduce them to LSD."

He said his only regret about Centrepoint was that "people couldn't see the good that was arising from it".

"I would like to see it opened up again, and allow children, well not children, but young adults, to have controlled LSD experiences."

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First

Jan   #10   01:58 pm May 30 2010

dont forget, this silly old man has children of his own and grandchilren, what the hell do they think. Why cant people follow society rules? I actuallly know 2 people who lived at centrepoint at that time and they were and are still odd.

Ray   #9   01:56 pm May 30 2010

This guy has obviously spent his life creating and justifying his own reality... and inflicting it on willing others... it's one thing for adults to choose to participate in a lifestyle such as this, but terrible to drag their kids in too.

Children do not understand sex plain and simple. Any healthy individual with a reasonable intellect and maturity can grasp this... Sex is a private activity between two sexually and emotionally mature people who are ready to be intimate with each other, with the knowledge of the possibility that a child could come from this contact, and the implications of this.

Anybody who has a desire to have sex with a child or involve a child in sexual activity is warped and a menace to society. People who have been sexually violated as minors are damaged for life in their relationships with others because they no longer respect their bodies as the temples that they are.

And of course drugs just lubricate the whole process.

Beth   #8   01:40 pm May 30 2010

Sad sick man - trying to justify inexcusable behaviour. Hope he never ends up in a rest home - pity the poor carers looking after him - they would not be safe.

k2   #7   01:10 pm May 30 2010

"Having my way with them came first".

That one sentence says it all about the man and his beliefs.

He might have been wiser to follow his mate David to Australia, and try and get acclimatised to hotter climates.

solaris   #6   12:57 pm May 30 2010

When you have your 'Own' Parents doing this shite - you gotta wonder why they aren't all in Prison! PPl always believe Maori are blardy bad! What a Joke!!

Elle   #5   12:38 pm May 30 2010

Is this a joke? I can't believe anyone would ACTUALLY believe sex is good for children. That's so messed up, I can't even fathom it. I agree with Aaron, I hope no one ever sees or hears from this sick man again. Look at him, he's clearly bewildered. I can't believe the Sunday Star Times even bothered publishing this man's opinions.

ben   #4   12:25 pm May 30 2010

this is proof our system is a failure. No remorse, no rehabilitation. He is still a risk to society.

Lara   #3   12:16 pm May 30 2010

This man is mentally ill and shouldnt be alowed to live in society, he should be locked in a phych unit. The fact that he thinks his behaviour is normal tells us the state of his mental health. what a fruitloop.

aaron   #2   11:54 am May 30 2010

this is horrific the mans point of view is cruel and offensive. people like him should be removed all together and never seen or heard again.

john   #1   11:48 am May 30 2010

What an idiot. How would he know the experiences were good for them. Was it good for him as a 5 year old.

Simply a dirty old man who thinks that others are there purely for his livelihood.

Where he is now sums up his life.

Ad Feedback