Welcome to Week 4 – Community Involvement and Advocacy week in International Cult Awareness Month (ICAM). Last week, we focused on Case Precedent<\/a>, 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<\/strong> and providing actionable steps<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 <\/span>coercive control<\/strong> as a criminal offense in intimate partner vi<\/span>olence and domestic violence circumstances<\/a>. Shortly afterward, the Family Survival Trust<\/a> submitted a report (pdf download)<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How You Can Help:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/strong> was started by NXIVM survivor Dr. Tabitha Chapman<\/strong>, PhD-c<\/strong>. She uses her platform to educate others about the dangers of coercive control and manipulation, particularly within high-control groups. Tabitha\u2019s campaign focuses on empowering survivors to get help for their recovery and on raising awareness about the psychological tactics used by cults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How You Can Get Involved:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/span>, the Aftermath Foundation<\/strong>, a group formed to help people who leave the<\/span> group called the Church of Scientology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tips for Advocacy:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Community involvement and social advocacy have led to significant changes in the fight against cultic abuse. For example, in France, the organization UNADFI<\/a><\/strong> (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<\/strong> 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<\/a>” law was voted in, which seeks greater punishment for coercive organizations. These legal frameworks offer greater protections for individuals and families affected by cults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quotes from Advocates:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To support your advocacy efforts, we’ve compiled various resources designed to educate and empower you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toolkits and Guides:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended Readings:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Connecting with others who share your commitment to ending cultic abuse can provide invaluable support through your advocacy and community involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Online Forums and Networks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hotlines and Legal Support:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a><\/strong> in Oakland, California, where survivors, family members, and supporters gather to honor the victims and reflect on the lessons learned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, survivors like Laura Johnston Kohl<\/a><\/strong> and Deborah Layton<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quotes from Survivors and Advocates:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n “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. \u2026 To hear him talk about politics. \u2026 I was not looking for a God or religion.” \u2014 Laura Johnston Kohl<\/a><\/strong>, Jonestown survivor and author of Jonestown Survivor: An Insider\u2019s Look<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quotes from Survivors and Advocates:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This week, we invite you to take the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In summary, empowering the community to take action against cultic abuse is at the heart of this week\u2019s focus. Working together can create a safer, more informed society that protects against exploitation and supports victims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, your voice matters. Together, we can bring about real, lasting change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Partner Organizations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Further Learning Opportunities:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>, receives<\/span> a percentage of sales to help victims of cults and coercive control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Awareness Ribbon for International Cult – Links to Canva<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nGetting Involved: Practical Steps for Advocacy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Supporting Relevant Legislation<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Participating in Public Awareness Campaigns<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nBuilding and Mobilizing Grassroots Movements<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Strategies for Effective Advocacy<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Success Stories of Community Initiatives<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Educational Materials<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Support Networks<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nInspiring Collective Action<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Real-World Examples of Collective Impact<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Call to Action<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAdditional Resources<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Resources to Share for Empowering Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Podcasts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Canva & Graphic Templates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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