What is a cult?
“Cult” is a weakly defined and much debated term that is often replaced by “high-demand group” or “high-control group” to encompass the coercive control and human rights abuses of such groups.
According to leading cult academic and Decult keynote speaker Dr Janja Lalich:
“A cult is a group or movement held together by a shared commitment to a charismatic leader or ideology. It has a belief system that has the answers to all of life’s questions and offers a special solution to be gained only by following the leader’s rules. It requires a high level of commitment from at least some of the members.”
What does “decult” mean?
It’s a new term, coined by Decult founder Anke Richter, to describe the process of raising awareness about high-demand groups and stopping harmful cultic influence.
What were some of the topics and sessions at Decult 2024?
- six live-streamed panels (Kids in Cults, Gloriavale, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Cult Media, Disinformation/AI and Rainbow Rights)
- personal presentations about Exclusive Brethren (PBCC), Centrepoint, The Truth/2x2s, International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) Shincheonji and Institute in Basic Life Principles (ISLP Bill Gothard).
- information session for health workers (with Dr Caroline Ansley)
- blueprint for a national cult information agency (Ulrike Schiesser, Vienna)
- victim support organisations (Olive Leaf Network and CIFS Australia)
- debriefing session for cult survivors (with Dr Gillie Jenkinson) and for other attendees (with Jim Goodwin)
- cult survivor story jam
Who was the conference audience?
Anyone was welcome, no matter what their faith or belief system. Our kaupapa embraces diversity, inclusivity and religious tolerance.
Decult 2024 was of particular interest to health professionals, therapists, counsellors, psychologists, doctors, nurses, medical staff, academics (social science, religion, mental health), faith leaders, social workers and front-line services, law enforcement and judiciary, and the media.
Cult survivors and their whānau also attended to find mutual support and networking.
Read all the statistics about our attendees here.
What did Decult 2024 achieve?
For the first time in Aotearoa New Zealand, cult survivors and their advocates, together with experts, had a facilitated forum to gather safely and inform the public. It was a groundbreaking event which was covered positively in the media, leading to ongoing networking and mutual support.
Organised by the Olive Leaf Network, Decult initiated bringing specialised cult recovery therapy to Aotearoa with trainings for mental health workers. Read more here.
Post-conference, the Decult Collective of professionals has started as an ongoing network for people in cult recovery and cult awareness. We will be hosting more events in the future, including professional trainings with international experts, local art exhibitions, film screenings, conferences and more.
By working collaboratively with our supporters and partners, as well as the relevant government departments, we hope to see a federal cult information agency in Aotearoa in the future, like other Western countries have them.
What precautions were made to ensure the safety of the speakers and participants?
Decult 2024 had a team of counsellors with expertise in cult and trauma recovery on stand-by to ensure the mental wellbeing of participants at all times. We provided a “calm room” for those triggered and in distress, followed a strict harassment policy and had security guards on site.
96.8% of attendees from our survey reported that they felt safe and supported throughout the conference.
What is The Decult Trust?
Decult was started in 2023 by journalist Anke Richter, a co-founder of FACT (Fight Against Conspiracy Theories) Aotearoa. The Decult Trust was set up in 2024 as a Charitable Trust and is committed to fostering social cohesion, mental health support and human rights advocacy for people leaving high-demand groups (aka cults); raising public awareness about coercive control and the abuse suffered by people in cults; and hindering recruitment and harmful influence of cults in Aotearoa.
What Is The Decult Collective?
The Decult Collective is collaborative network for professionals and advocates aiming to support individuals, families and communities affected by high-control groups. By promoting cult awareness and hindering cult recruitment, the Decult Collective serves as a platform for education, resource creation and coordinated action.
