I’m so excited to announce the “Best of” podcast series from Decult 2024! Tune in for DECULT TALKS on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Plains Media – Christchurch’s community access media station that is our trusted partner and helps us get our voice on air. Every week, a new episode with a presentation or discussion from the first cult conference in Aotearoa New Zealand will drop, starting today with Dr Janja Lalich’s powerful keynote.
Thanks to our talented team, you can now also access highlights and filmed talks from Decult 2024 on our new page, including the incredibly moving (and sometimes funny) Cult Survivor Story Jam. Check out the videos and photos to refresh your memory if you attended, and as a great taster in case you missed it but would like to know what all the fuss and buzz is about.
We’re totally inspired and motivated to do this again – even bigger and better.
DECULT 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
SAVE THE DATE FOR DECULT 2026
Our new page also has a preregistration link for the next Decult conference. Yes, it’s all happening again in Ōtautahi Christchurch from 24 – 25 October 2026 (Labour weekend – with plenty of time to travel or relax on the Monday). We’re already checking hotel deals so that you can book early, especially if you’re coming from overseas. Expect updates and a call for submissions by August.
WHY WE’RE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Decult is a volunteer-run charity, led by two people working pro bono (for free) since the idea was born in 2023. To create another unforgettable and impactful conference and other affordable events, we need to pay for
- social media
- administration
- IT/website work
It’s not easy asking for money. But if you’re able to support our ongoing work with a big or small donation, that would mean a lot. We don’t have any major funders and are extremely grateful for ongoing contributions from the wider community that help us to continue this mahi. We’re dedicated to keep going.
DONATE TO DECULT
OUR NEXT PROJECTS
Here are some of the exciting projects we’re working on this year, so you know where your donation will go:
- Building the Decult Collective: a network of 100+ professionals to advance cult awareness in health, social services, government, law and education in Aotearoa, with monthly meetings around specific topics.
- Supporting the set-up of in-person peer support groups for cult survivors
- Covering initial room hire and supervision costs for the first survivor group of this kind in Christchurch
- Finishing and releasing the Decult documentary with more highlights from Decult 2024
- Creating an additional long-form educational film resource from interviews with survivors and experts
- Last but not least: Planning and organising the Decult 2026 conference!
SURVIVOR PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
The Ōtautahi Cult Survivors Support Group in Christchurch is meeting every second Monday (tonight at 6.30 pm, and then again 21 April). If you’d like to attend, contact the organisers ([email protected]) or fill out this form.
If you’re keen to get a survivor-led group or regular meet-up underway too, then email [email protected] and we can support and connect you.
PRO-BONO LAWYER WANTED
Are you a lawyer – or know of one – who feels passionate about stopping cultic harm? Then we would love to have you on our advisory team, conference committee or board of trustees to keep us safe from litigation. Please get in touch.
We’ll be back next month. Until then, enjoy listening to DECULT TALKS and browsing our highlights page!