Gender, Power and Sexual Abuse in the Pacific: Rev. Simpson's "Improper Liberties"

In 1843 on the island of Tahiti the evangelical missionary Rev. Alexander Simpson was accused of sexually assaulting three of the female students under his care, and of taking 'improper liberties' with at least three more. The events did not come out in public for at least a decade, while Simpson's power in the local community only grew and rumblings relating to his wrong-doings were ruthlessly 'crushed'.

By exploring the case of Rev. Simpson, Emily Manktelow gives us key insights into the ...