Spring is in the air! We’re back in full swing with new plans and ideas – and an offer to join our growing team.
In two weeks, I’ll be bringing the DECULT VOICES documentary to Pōneke Wellington for the very first time, thanks to the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers who’ve invited us. I’ll be joined by Lindy Jacomb from the Olive Leaf Network for what promises to be an impactful screening and kōrero on Tuesday, 16 September (1–3 pm). The event is open to all, but as it’s catered, please be sure to book soon.
I’m also excited about two other upcoming events (even though I can’t go):
Christchurch: 2x2s survivor Tristan Phipps, who first shared his story at our Cult Survivor Story Jam and spoke about the Christian cult on 1News again last week, is the September speaker at Yarns Men this Thursday, 4 Sept (6 pm, Two Thumbs Brewery – men only).
Melbourne: Our friend T Brown who left an American Sufi cult four years ago is bringing his powerful solo show Cult Piece to the Melbourne Fringe Festival (bravo T – that’s a big deal!). It’s not comedy, but “a wordless multi-media telling of what it’s like to live in a cult.” Don’t miss it, Australians – it opens 29 September. More info & tickets here.
GLORIAVALE TRUE CRIME VIDEO
Not a week goes by without news about Gloriavale, which has now gained international notoriety: “One of the most disturbing cults in modern history” is the title of a new True Crime YouTube video that already had close to 400k views. And not a day goes by without New Zealanders asking our government to finally act. They’re now joined by the Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad who is calling for the urgent closure of the Gloriavale school after it failed another education review.
EXIT KIT FOR CULT LEAVERS
Not everyone trying to leave a cult has access to organisations like the Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust. Getting out can be risky and scary. For those planning their escape alone, we highly recommend the Exit Kit by Rachael Reign, founder of Surviving Universal UK. It’s an excellent and easy to understand free resource with safety planning tools, templates for digital data removal and more. The legal guidance is UK specific but adaptable worldwide. Please pass it on to someone who might need it on their road to freedom.
Still unsure if you’re really in a cult (or someone you care about)? You can evaluate the organisation in question by taking Dr Steven Hassan’s Bite Model survey to find out. And if you’re struggling with the terminology used by experts and activists in the cult survivor space, then we have a resource for you as well: Thanks to our creative volunteers, we’re currently running a Decult Definitions Miniseries on our social media to explain words and acronyms like DARVO or NRM. Scroll down to the end for direct links to all our platforms and take a look.
MARKETING WHIZ WANTED!
Next month, we’ll finally launch our documentary online and open the call for speaker proposals for Decult 2026. To grow this into an even bigger, more impactful event next October – with broader reach and strong sponsorship – we’re looking for a multi-talented, enthusiastic marketing whiz to join us. The temporary part-time role spans social media campaigns, promotion, partnerships, networking and fundraising. If that sounds like you, or you know someone with event organising, social enterprise or non-profit experience who might be keen, we’d love to hear from you. This is a chance to help amplify survivor voices and shape an emerging movement that reaches far beyond the conference rooms.
Have a great start into spring (or autumn, if you’re on the other side of the world) and stay in touch.
Ngā mihi nui koutou,
Anke Richter