Introduction to ICAM Week 4
Welcome to Week 4 – Community Involvement and Advocacy week in International Cult Awareness Month (ICAM). Last week, we focused on Case Precedent, which established how cases brought forth in the past have brought us to where we are today in protecting cult victims and survivors, which isn’t very far. That’s why we have ICAM to begin with. This week, we focus on inspiring community involvement and providing actionable steps for individuals to support policy changes that protect against cultic abuse and coercion. Grassroots movements and collective action have the power to bring about significant change, and this week, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and tools to make a difference.
Getting Involved: Practical Steps for Advocacy
Supporting Relevant Legislation
One of the most effective ways to combat cultic abuse is through supporting and advocating for relevant legislation. For example, recent efforts in the UK led to the recognition of coercive control as a criminal offense in intimate partner violence and domestic violence circumstances. Shortly afterward, the Family Survival Trust submitted a report (pdf download) to the British government to include protections for cult victims in this definition of serious crimes. This is one way to get involved in changing the climate for victims and survivors.
How You Can Help:
- Contact Legislators: Write letters or emails to your local representatives expressing support for bills to protect against cultic abuse.
- Participate in Public Comment Periods: Discuss proposed laws, offering your perspective as an advocate or survivor.
- Success Story: In Australia, state-level inquiries, such as the New South Wales parliamentary inquiry into coercive control, have brought the issue to the forefront. Survivors’ testimonies have played a crucial role in pushing for legal reforms. Advocacy groups like Women’s Legal Services NSW have worked tirelessly to support these efforts, contributing to ongoing discussions about criminalizing coercive control. Additionally, survivors of institutional abuse are now being compensated with the Redress Scheme.
Participating in Public Awareness Campaigns
Raising awareness is key to preventing cultic abuse. Public awareness campaigns can be as simple as sharing information on social media or as involved as organizing local events. This current campaign, International Cult Awareness Month, or #icam #cultawareness was started by NXIVM survivor Dr. Tabitha Chapman, PhD-c. She uses her platform to educate others about the dangers of coercive control and manipulation, particularly within high-control groups. Tabitha’s campaign focuses on empowering survivors to get help for their recovery and on raising awareness about the psychological tactics used by cults.
How You Can Get Involved:
- Create Awareness: Use social media to share infographics, survivor stories, and educational content about cultic abuse.
- Partner with Organizations: Collaborate with local advocacy groups to host workshops, panel discussions, or film screenings.
- Case Study: Survivors of the Children of God cult have been actively involved in raising awareness about the long-term effects of cult involvement. Through documentaries, interviews, and public speaking events, they have reached audiences worldwide, sharing their experiences and educating the public about the dangers of high-control groups.
Building and Mobilizing Grassroots Movements
Strategies for Effective Advocacy
Grassroots movements are the backbone of any successful advocacy effort. So, you can create a powerful force for change by organizing within your community. For example, the Aftermath Foundation, a group formed to help people who leave the group called the Church of Scientology.
Tips for Advocacy:
- Community Organizing: Start or join a local advocacy group focused on cult awareness and support for victims.
- Utilizing Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook can be powerful tools for mobilizing support and spreading information.
- Engaging Local Leaders: Contact local government, religious, and community leaders to gain their support in your advocacy efforts.
Success Stories of Community Initiatives
Community involvement and social advocacy have led to significant changes in the fight against cultic abuse. For example, in France, the organization UNADFI (National Union of Associations for the Defense of Families and Individuals) has advocated for legal reforms targeting cultic practices. As a result, their efforts, along with those of other advocacy groups, contributed to the passage of laws like the About-Picard Law of 2001, which allows for the dissolution of organizations that engage in psychological or physical manipulation. Additionally, and more recently, the “Reinforce the Fight Against Sectarian Drifts” law was voted in, which seeks greater punishment for coercive organizations. These legal frameworks offer greater protections for individuals and families affected by cults.
Quotes from Advocates:
- “One of my goals has always been to educate the public about cults and to destigmatize cult members and former cult members because there still is stigma”— Dr. Janja Anne Lalich, PhD, Cult Scholar and former member of a high-control group.
Resources for Advocacy and Community Involvement
Educational Materials
To support your advocacy efforts, we’ve compiled various resources designed to educate and empower you.
Toolkits and Guides:
- Advocacy Toolkit: Download our comprehensive guide on how to start an advocacy campaign, including templates for letters to lawmakers, guides on organizing events, and social media toolkits.
- Infographics: Access a library of infographics on the signs of cultic abuse, the psychology of coercion, and more.
Recommended Readings:
- “Combatting Cult Mind Control” by Steven Hassan.
- “Captive: A Mother’s Crusade to Save Her Daughter from a Terrifying Cult” by Catherine Oxenberg.
Support Networks
Connecting with others who share your commitment to ending cultic abuse can provide invaluable support through your advocacy and community involvement.
Online Forums and Networks:
- Join forums such as r/excults on Reddit or Survivors of Cultic Abuse on Facebook.
- Participate in online support groups that focus on advocacy and survivor support.
Hotlines and Legal Support:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (offers support for victims of coercive control).
- Freedom Train Assistance: Provides referrals to professional support for survivors of cultic abuse.
Inspiring Collective Action
Real-World Examples of Collective Impact
The power of collective with advocacy and involvement in community action cannot be overstated. Survivors of the Peoples Temple cult, which culminated in the tragic Jonestown massacre in 1978, have worked tirelessly to preserve the memory of those who perished and to educate the public about the dangers of cultic exploitation. For example, annual memorial services are held at the Jonestown Memorial in Oakland, California, where survivors, family members, and supporters gather to honor the victims and reflect on the lessons learned.
Additionally, survivors like Laura Johnston Kohl and Deborah Layton have become vocal advocates, sharing their stories through books, documentaries, and public speaking engagements. Their efforts have played a crucial role in raising awareness and preventing similar tragedies. Kohl passed away in 2019 from a battle with Cancer. Layton continues her advocacy.
Quotes from Survivors and Advocates:
“I was looking for someplace where I could go, speak my mind, fight for the cause that I totally believed in. And then at the same time I would have somebody who had a better overview who might be able to prevent some of the falls that I’d had along the way. And I thought Jim Jones was that. … To hear him talk about politics. … I was not looking for a God or religion.” — Laura Johnston Kohl, Jonestown survivor and author of Jonestown Survivor: An Insider’s Look.
Quotes from Survivors and Advocates:
- “People do not knowingly join “cults”” — Deborah Layton, Seductive Poison: A Jonestown Survivor’s Story of Life and Death in the Peoples Temple
Call to Action
This week, we invite you to take the following steps:
- Join the Movement: First, participate in our upcoming events, sign petitions, or start your advocacy efforts.
- Share Your Story: Next, use the hashtag #ICAMAdvocacy to share your experiences and successes in advocacy to inspire others.
Conclusion
In summary, empowering the community to take action against cultic abuse is at the heart of this week’s focus. Working together can create a safer, more informed society that protects against exploitation and supports victims.
Remember, your voice matters. Together, we can bring about real, lasting change.
Additional Resources
Partner Organizations:
- The Freedom Train Project: Provides assistance to victims of coercive control and cultic abuse.
- International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA): Offers resources and support for survivors of cultic groups.
Further Learning Opportunities:
- Webinars and Workshops: Check our events page for upcoming webinars and workshops on advocacy, legal rights, and support for survivors.
Resources to Share for Empowering Community
The following are various resources for this week on the history of cult-related cases. If there are Amazon links, the sponsoring organization, The Freedom Train Project Incorporated, receives a percentage of sales to help victims of cults and coercive control.
