Please celebrate with us: Decult won as Champion of Change Advocate in the 2025 Freedom Express Awards! We’re absolutely stoked. The award recognizes individuals or organisations who boldly advocate for policy reforms, survivor rights and public education about cults and coercive control.
Nominators hailed Decult as a pioneer, noting that it is the first charity of its kind and is entirely volunteer‑driven. As one supporter put it, “Decult has had an impact on how cults are currently being discussed in New Zealand and beyond”. A big thank you to everyone who put our name forward to support us.
Additionally, I received their Ethical Media Award together with Sarah Steel and Summer Cooke. What an hounour to be in such great company.
OSHO’S VICTIMS ARE SPEAKING OUT
Remember Wild Wild Country? Last weekend marked 40 years since the collapse of Rajneeshpuram, the infamous American cult commune led by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. He later rebranded himself as Osho to obscure the crimes committed in his name. They were masterminded by his secretary Ma Anand Sheela who fled the “Ranch” in Oregon on 14 September 1985. The Indian guru’s fanatical followers attempted murder, carried out the largest bioterror attack in US history – and more.
The 2018 Netflix series was a huge hit but left out the story of the children in the radical new age movement who were unwanted, neglected and sexually abused. The prevailing ideology was no different from Centrepoint which I researched for my book Cult Trip. Yet while many perpetrators from the small New Zealand sex-and-therapy cult went to prison, none of the well-known paedocriminals among the thousands of Sannyasins were ever brought to justice.
In July, I met one of the survivors of Rajneeshpuram for a Generation Cult recording and live event in San Francisco. Sarito Carroll shared her story with me for media outlets in New Zealand, Germany and the US (trigger warning for disturbing content). To learn more about the silenced teenage victims of the shiny happy people in red, read Sarito’s powerful book In the Shadow of Enlightenment.
NEW VOICES, NEW MEMOIRS
As you’ve guessed, I’m passionate about creative non-fiction. A well-told lived experience can deliver hard-hitting facts but also hope and guidance. Don’t miss these latest memoirs by women writers from our part of the world:
- Cult Bride by Liz Cameron: After leaving high school, the Australian author was recruited by the South Korean Christian cult Providence and later broke free with the help of deprogramming (and her mother). I couldn’t put this personal tale of indoctrination and escape down. Our friend Sarah Steel called it “unflinching, incredibly moving, and a terrific read” – true!
- Holy Hell by Elise Heerde: A certified coach in the Religious Trauma Collective, Elise describes her book as “part memoir, part middle finger, part survival guide” for anyone raised in a high-control Christian environment. It sounds funny too – “saved so hard I needed therapy” – as well as raw and relatable. Can’t wait to dive in (and I love the cover).
- Suspended Belief by Chantal Moss: The New Zealander, once a fervent believer in all things alternative, recounts her way out of “the spiritual cult of the New Age” that destabilised her to the point of breakdowns. Her story explores delusion and denial, their origins and aftershocks – a topic close to my heart since starting Rabbit Hole Resistance and FACT Aotearoa during the pandemic.
WRITING SYMPOSIUM: TELL YOUR STORY
As a journalist who came too close to the trauma of others (and has seen too much insensitive reporting), I cheer for those who share their stories on their own terms. If you’re an emerging writer wanting to train that muscle, I recommend the upcoming symposium Reclaiming Autonomy through the Written Word on 27 September (1–4 pm ET). It brings together leading voices and published authors, all supporting survivors of cultic abuse to heal through writing.
Can’t make it live? Then still register to receive the recording. There will be a special follow-up event in October specially suited for Aotearoa and Australia time zones.
Tomorrow I’m in Wellington to show the DECULT VOICES documentary to a room full of social workers and others keen to support this mahi. Next month, we’ll finally release the powerful film from our small but mighty hui online. If you’d like to arrange a special screening or speaking event with cult leavers and advocates, please get in touch.
Let’s share more stories and kōrero so that those who were harmed can be heard and heal.
Ngā mihi nui koutou,
Anke Richter