Feeling the end-of-year rush already? Before the silly season takes over, take a moment for our latest updates and highlights:
- Hearings at Victoria Parliament
- Gloriavale leavers challenge the government
- Culty comedians wanted for NZ tour
- Decult merch for your Xmas shopping
INTERNATIONAL INPUT FOR PARLIAMENT INQUIRY
This month was huge for our antipodean cultiverse, especially with the ongoing Victoria Parliament Inquiry into cults and organised fringe groupsin Australia. My ad-hoc input at their hearing drew on a decade of investigative research into sexual abuse in cults, my observations about ISTA, and the work around our conference that became a turning point for many in this field. I wasn’t prepared for the specific legal questions, but I pointed to the systemic gaps we urgently need to address. You can now watch it here:
Afterwards, committee chair MP Ella George (photo above) described Decult as “a world first” – deeply encouraging and validating for our small organisation. Here’s hoping this momentum leads to more collaboration across the Tasman.
The directors of the Olive Leaf Network Australia also gave moving statements and were featured on ABC. And the following week, our friend and Decult 2024 speaker Ulrike Schiesser, head of the Federal Office for Cultic Affairs in Austria, was invited to present her agency’s work – a model for the state-run information and support centre we envision for Aotearoa.
The slides from her presentation, as well as transcripts from earlier hearings, are now available on the Parliament website if you click on the dates. There you can read powerful witness statements from activists Laura McConnell Conti, Clare Heath-McIvor, Ryan and Catherine Carey and journalist Richard Baker whose podcast investigation “Pray Harder” kicked it all off. More coming soon from the Religious Trauma Collective and others!
GLORIAVALE LEAVERS DAY AND NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE
12 November marked National Remembrance Day for Survivors of Abuse in Faith and State-Based Care. Despite the Prime Minister making a formal apology one year ago, this has since been followed by broken promises. Survivors from high-control churches and communities also contributed to the Royal Commission. Many still won’t get the outcome or redress they deserve.
In Timaru, the Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust hosted a gathering of 200 people, with fireworks and powerful speeches (all available to watch). Virginia Courage – you may know her from our conference panel, the Decult documentary, or Cult Trip – did not hold back: “Positive change in Gloriavale has not come from Government action. It’s come from survivors, the media, legal cases, documentaries and advocacies.” Ordinary people, many volunteers, doing the work the state has failed to do – “while people are still suffering.”
A week later in West Auckland, Lindy Jacomb from the OLN and Tore Klevjer from CIFS, together with counsellors Poia Alpha and Noa Vodnitzky, facilitated a recovery weekend for 15 survivors. Fantastic feedback: “It was very special and heartwarming, personal and informal, lots of learning, and also lots of vulnerability, laughter and connection.” We need more of that!
COMEDIANS WANTED FOR NZ TOUR (AND JW PROTEST)
The Doomsday Comedy shows in London earlier this year were a hit. Now the brains behind them, Norwegian goat farmer and former Jehovah’s Witness Jonas Skogstroll, is coming to the Land of the Long White Cloud (or the Long-Lasting Cults). He plans to protest outside the 2025 Jehovah’s Witness Convention in Auckland on 9–10 January. Mark your calendars to join him!
Additionally, Jonas is planning stand-up shows in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch with NZ comedians while he’s here, supported by Christchurch performer, Decult trustee and exvangelical Mark Darbyshire.
If you have stand-up comedy experience and culty material that could be a good fit – or can help with booking venues – then please get in touch with them ASAP to help get this show on the road: mailto:[email protected]
DECULT MERCH: WEAR THE MESSAGE
Want to make cult awareness visible, help a good cause, and look stylish? Our brand-new online store is live with high quality tees, hoodies and totes featuring culty messages.
40% of every sale supports our volunteer-run charity (and keeps the shop running). More designs are on the way – order now in time for Christmas.
I’ll be back before the year is over. In the meantime:
- If you’d like to participate as a speaker for Decult 2026, send us your proposal soon – especially if you can’t attend in person but want to join our expanded online programme for European and American time zones.
- If you have culty news or events we should announce, get in touch! This newsletter reaches around 1,900 readers.
Share it with others to keep the conversation going and follow us on social media by clicking on the icons below. We still have a long road ahead to see the change we’re working for.
Thank you, and go well,
Anke Richter