New EventIn 2026, we will return bigger and bolder. International and local experts, educators, advocates, and storytellers will come together for two powerful days — live-streamed worldwide, with additional online programs for North America and Europe. Voices of courage from mental health to human rights will take center stage.
Decult 2026 presents another groundbreaking opportunity for new voices in the cult survivor space, for cult education, and for taking action. We can guarantee an enriching, stimulating, and engaging experience held in a safe space that respects diversity. Everyone, regardless of background or belief, is welcome.
Willamette Week: Leaving the Fold Is a Group Art Show About Exiting Cults and High-Demand Religions"Leaving the Fold," a poignant new group art exhibition in Portland, offers a deeply personal and visual exploration of the harrowing journey out of cults and high-demand religious groups. By bringing together artists who have personally survived coercive environments, the showcase provides a profound look into the complex process of deconstructing one's faith, reclaiming personal identity, and healing from spiritual trauma.
The diverse artworks in the exhibit capture the multifaceted nature of leaving a high-control group, portraying both the agonizing grief of losing one's entire community and the empowering liberation of discovering a world outside the fold. Through varied mediums ranging from striking visual canvases to immersive installations, the contributing artists communicate the deeply isolating experience of waking up to psychological manipulation.
This exhibition serves as both a therapeutic outlet for the creators and a vital educational platform for the public. By translating the abstract trauma of cult recovery into tangible artistic expression, "Leaving the Fold" fosters community awareness, reduces the stigma surrounding spiritual abuse, and provides a beacon of hope for current survivors navigating their own difficult paths to freedom.
New PodcastJon Atack, family & friends: after cult therapy, attached beings and psychedelics with Pat Ryan and Joe KellyJon Atack, Pat Ryan, and Joe Kelly delve into the concerning intersections of modern psychotherapy, psychedelics, and cult-like control dynamics. The conversation highlights how some therapists are incorporating psychedelics into their sessions, inadvertently recreating the vulnerable, highly suggestible environments often found in coercive groups.
A major focal point of the discussion is Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, specifically its third level of training. The speakers draw striking parallels between the IFS concept of "unattached burdens"—described as sentient, often evil spiritual entities attached to a person—and the advanced, esoteric teachings of Scientology, such as the OT levels. They express deep concern that these unscientific, quasi-religious concepts are quietly creeping into mainstream trauma-informed care without proper informed consent.
The panel ultimately cautions against the rush toward quick-fix, hypnotic therapies that bypass grounded, cognitive engagement. They argue that true therapeutic healing should foster a better relationship with the real world rather than anchoring vulnerable patients in imaginary, disconnected states of awareness. The discussion serves as a powerful reminder for former cult members to remain vigilant about the methodologies used in their recovery journeys.
Legislative & LegalNational Newswatch: B.C. Journalist Harassed by Cult-Like China Protest Group Wins Defamation Payout
A British Columbia journalist has successfully secured a significant defamation payout following a relentless campaign of harassment orchestrated by a highly aggressive, cult-like protest group connected to Chinese dissident networks. This landmark legal victory underscores the escalating threat that extreme ideological factions pose to press freedom and the safety of independent reporters in Canada and beyond.
The targeted harassment campaign included malicious online smears, aggressive physical stalking, and coordinated disinformation efforts designed to destroy the journalist's professional reputation and silence critical reporting. The protest group operated with cultic devotion to its leadership, weaponizing its followers to relentlessly attack anyone who questioned their political narrative or financial operations, demonstrating the dangerous real-world impact of radicalized echo chambers.
This defamation win is a crucial triumph for journalistic integrity and accountability, sending a clear legal message that organized intimidation tactics will face severe financial and judicial consequences. It also highlights the urgent need for enhanced protections for journalists who expose the manipulative, high-control mechanisms utilized by fringe political and protest organizations.
Domestic & True CrimeVice TV: True Believers (2022) - Serge Benhayon's Universal Medicine cultSerge Benhayon, a former tennis coach with no medical background, founded Universal Medicine, a controversial wellness organization widely exposed as a manipulative, money-making cult. Operating as a self-proclaimed messiah and reincarnation of Leonardo da Vinci, Benhayon targets vulnerable individuals with unproven esoteric treatments, claiming he can heal illnesses ranging from back pain to cancer.
Followers are systematically isolated from their families and taught that sickness stems from evil spirits or wrongdoings in past lives. The group enforces extreme dietary restrictions and promotes highly inappropriate hands-on healing techniques, particularly targeting female followers and young girls. Tragically, some terminally ill patients were convinced to forgo conventional medical treatments and leave their life savings and estates to the cult.
Whistleblowers and journalists who have spoken out against Universal Medicine have faced severe retaliation. Critics like Esther Rockett endured grueling legal battles and bankruptcy after publishing allegations of sexual manipulation and exploitation. However, a New South Wales Supreme Court jury ultimately sided with Rockett, legally recognizing Benhayon as a charlatan and cult leader. Despite this major legal defeat and ongoing public outcry, the group continues to expand its operations, recruiting heavily across Australia and Europe.
Research & AcademicInternational Cultic Studies Association (ICSA): Can post-cult recovery help survivors of narcissistic abuse?This research highlight explores the compelling and often overlooked parallels between narcissistic abuse in intimate interpersonal relationships and the systemic mechanisms of manipulation and control typically found in destructive cults. Researchers Vickie Howard, Amina Adan, and Charles Attwood suggest that pervasive deception is a foundational element in both scenarios.
The authors thoroughly detail how this prolonged deception gradually distorts a victim's perception of reality, fractures their interpersonal relationships, and erodes their intrinsic sense of self over time. By closely examining survivor accounts, models of cult influence, and psychological theories of deception, the study effectively bridges the conceptual gap between one-on-one toxic dynamics and group-level coercive control.
Ultimately, the article proposes that established post-cult recovery models and therapeutic frameworks could be effectively adapted to support individuals healing from severe narcissistic abuse. This innovative cross-disciplinary approach offers highly valuable and practical insights for psychologists, domestic abuse practitioners, social workers, and survivors who are seeking to deeply understand the profound impacts of gaslighting, isolation, and psychological manipulation.
AI Research Disclosure: To bring you the most relevant stories, parts of this newsletter utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools to search the web, source articles, and assist with content curation. This content is for informational purposes only; we recommend verifying critical facts independently.
News, Education, Intervention, Recovery
Intervention101.com helps families and friends understand and effectively respond to the complexity of a loved one's cult involvement.
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CultNEWS101.com news, links, resources about: cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations, and related topics.
The articles selected for CultNEWS101 do not imply that Patrick Ryan, Joseph Kelly, or Ashlen Hilliard endorse the content. We provide information from multiple perspectives to foster dialogue.
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