A former Gloriavale teacher who abused or assaulted 21 victims has been sentenced to four years in prison.
In May, Just Standfast pleaded guilty to two charges of sex violation by unlawful sexual connection against two girls aged seven and 14, 10 charges of indecent assault on girls under the age of 12, and six charges of indecent assault against girls aged between 12 and 16.
The 72-year-old also admitted charges of assault with blunt weapons against five boys and a man. The offending occurred from 1983 until 2023.
The Greymouth District Court heard that Standfast had a difficult childhood in state care where he was “exposed to significant violence and challenges growing up”.
One victim asked for her name suppression to be lifted so she could speak out publicly about what happened.
Now aged 41, Virginia Courage said Standfast was her teacher in years one, two, and three.
“You groomed me and your other female students, befriended us, gained our trust.
“Holding a position of authority as a teacher and inside the Gloriavale life, we are female and you being a male, we were taught and reminded to obey, submit and not question your words or actions.”
Just Standfast, 72, sexually abused girls as young as seven and assaulted boys with weapons. (Source: 1News)
Courage said Standfast would touch her inappropriately, placing his hand under her dress “and onto my bare legs and on several occasions touch my bottom”.
“I still remember the thoughts of confusion and panic. But you, talking, marking my work or reading a story, no change in your voice or hesitation in your hand, with the confidence of a manoeuvre done a hundred times before.”
Courage said Standfast’s behaviour was brazen and never hidden as she witnessed Standfast do the same to other girls in her class on multiple occasions.
“I shake my head with utter disbelief when I think back to this time 1985 Springbank Christian Community School. Springbank Community, claiming to be a ‘Christian school with Christian teachers’, what a joke.
“The abuse I suffered at your hand Just, pales in my mind to the physical and brutal beatings that you inflicted on us, your students, and your own children. I witnessed your anger and unchecked rage across many years of schooling. In my memory, you targeted the boys in your classes for your harshest punishments.”
She said her heart still filled with sorrow for Standfast given he was in his 70s, when this should be a time that as an older member of society he “should be honoured, respected and valued for our contribution and participation in living life”.
“But not you Just, you are in court about to be sentenced. You must have lived with a tortured conscience and so much guilt, shame and the heaviest of burdens in your heart and mind.
“I pity you, I weep for you, your wife, your family. You have hurt children, broken trust and left lasting damage on so many people. What a terrible, tragic legacy,” she said.
