Religious Grooming
People turn to religions to make sense of the World and find community spirituality and faith.
In some cases they will find peace. For some, however, their search and trust is abused.
What some may call cults, others simply view as breakoff churches (sects). Those in the mainstream, such as the Mormans, Jehova’s Witnesses, etc, we have chosen not to include as cults.
Although abuse by their ‘clergy’ can and does happen, the groups themselves are not generally lead by a charismatic leader, and fall better into the category ‘religion’.
On this page
Introduction (above)
Useful information
Focus on religious/clergy abuse
Religious spotlight
Watch
Religious Cults
Where to report
Source of support
Of interest
Coming soon
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My abuser is about to return to ministry
Brave victim, Katie Roberts tells The Roys Report of her abuse at the hands of Dr. Art Azurdia, whose reputation appears to be intact, despite what’s happened, and who is not only returning to the ministry but being given platforms elsewhere.
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Religious Abuse: Spot the signs
Article by Julie Childs Heyl in VeryWellMind, a US publication, offering useful information on spotting the signs of religious abuse: Religious Abuse: Spotting the Signs and How to Cope
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What is Clergy Sexual Abuse?
Article by Diana R. Garland, School of Social Work, Baylor University:
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What is the difference between a sect and a cult
A clear article explaining the origins of the words sect and cult, and in a non-critical, noon ‘tabloid’ way, explaining the difference between the two:
Short Notes, SociologyGroup.com: Differences between sect and cult
In summary, sects are a part of all religions - branches of them.
For example, Hinduism is divided into Vaishnava and Shaiva sects; Christianity is divided into Baptists and Lutherans; Islam is divided into Sunni and Shia sects.
Note that below is a short focus on some religious cults, a growing resource.
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What is a New Religious Movement (NRM)
At CAAGe we haven’t included a separate section on New Religious Movements (NRMs) as a separate category - yet - in our work here on Cult and Religious Abuse.
But with the existence of mainstream religious movements like The Latterday Saint Movement, it’s important for us to make a distinction.
Sociology.com New Religious Movement: Meaning and Characteristics
Penn Today: Is it a cult or a New Religious Movement?
In summary, NRMs are "those religious groups that have been found, from the perspective of the dominant religious community (and in the West that is almost always a form of Christianity), to be not just different, but unacceptably different.”
We are, however, including them in religions rather than cults, viewing them as more akin to sects. This is however, simply for organisational reasons rather than a value judgement.
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WARNING: Cult Awareness Network/New Cult Awareness Network
Despite it’s ‘charity’ sounding name, it is worth knowing the following, quoted from Wikipedia:
The Cult Awareness Network (CAN) was an anti-cult organization that provided information on groups that it considered to be cults, as well as support and referrals to deprogrammers.
It was founded in the wake of the 1978 cult mass murder/suicide at Jonestown, Guyana.
After CAN lost a lawsuit and filed for bankruptcy in 1996, Scientologists acquired CAN's name, phone numbers, assets, files and records, and reopened the organisation under the name New Cult Awareness Network.
Abuse by religious leaders: “Clergy Abuse”
Clergy abuse is an abuse of power, by someone claiming to be channelling or representing their own God or Gods, whatever shape or form that deity may take.
It is defined as “when a person with religious authority intentionally uses their role, position, and power to sexually harass, exploit, or engage in sexual activity with a person”.
It is incredibly hard for a victim to stand up and report: fear of being excluded from their own group of followers, fear of retributions, uncertainty over what is really happening and the rights and wrongs.
Victims are as likely to be male as female (we have not found data on gender non-conforming people) , and special note needs to be made of child sexual abuse in religious settings, although this is not within CAAGe’s remit.
Clergy abuse and abuse by cult leaders display very different characteristics, despite the organisations often having something in common: the congregation’s belief system and hope for something better.
No organised religion is exempt, and generally grooming is about individuals rather than organisational issues. Most organisations have taken the issue seriously now. There is always room for improvement.
This is a developing resource, but a useful start point for victims and their families, friends and associates.
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Christian based religions and abuse by religious leaders
Catholic Church
Pope Widens Church Law to Target Sexual Abuse of Adults by Priests and Laity
Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Cases
Church of England
ACNA (Anglican Church of North America)
Book Review:
Disobedient Women, Sarah Stankorb
This resource is under development, but sources of support appear below
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Judaic religions and abuse by religious leaders
Institutional Abuse in the Jewish Community
What the Jewish Religion Says (abuse)
Why it’s OK for a Jew to report a Jewish offender to the secular courts
Rabbinical court rules against rabbi
This resource is under development, but sources of support appear below
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Islamic/Muslim religions and abuse by religious leaders
How contract law can hold abusers accountable
The controversy over Nouman Ali Khan
This resource is under development, but sources of support appear below
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Other religions and abuse by religious leaders
Buddhism:
Watch….
Religious Cults
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Religious Cults
Christian Research Organisation: What is a Religious Cult?
(Note that this, unsurprisingly, comes from a Christian perspective.)
Their core definition is useful: a religious cult is a religious or semi-religious sect whose members are controlled almost entirely by a single individual or organisation.
Like other cults, they are manipulative, demanding total commitment and loyalty. Converts become cut off from all former associations, including their families.
Examples:
the Family of Love
The People’s Temple (also known as Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ, Temple Full Gospel Church - founded by the infamous Jim Jones)
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Word of Faith
‘Word of Faith’ seems, from it’s name and apparent philosophy, to be simply a church.
However, the role of Pastor Jane Whaley leads us to concur that something odd is happening.
Legal action is pending, when hopefully more light can be thrown on this cult.
Where to report abuse within a religious organisation
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Bringing an abuse claim against the Anglican Church: https://www.macsas.org.uk/Claims%20Factsheet.pdf
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Details not yet checked
Tel 01235 517700
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Contacts requested
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The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, call 0207 901 1920 or email at admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
The National Board of Catholic Women
If appropriate and you wish to report the entine church.organisation: https://www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk/complaints-against-church-bodies/
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The Church of Scotland has a complaints mechanism on its website: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/contact/complaints
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FACE does not have an official role, but does collect evidence and raise concerns regarding Imams.It is not currently taking one new cases, but continues to encourage people to report: https://www.facetogether.org/report
Sources of Support
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CAAGe ‘How to’: Legal Support
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Provided by the Welsh Government, the Live Fear Free Helpline provides help and advice about violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
Website: https://www.gov.wales/live-fear-free
Contact Details: https://www.gov.wales/live-fear-free/contact-live-fear-free
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MACSAS (Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors) supports people who have been sexually abused, as children or adults, by ministers, clergy or others under the guise of the Church.
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Muslim Women’s Network offers a helpline open to both women and to men and boys facing forced marriages:
0800 999 5786 / 0303 999 5786
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Recovering from Religion helps individuals learning how to live after questions, doubts, and changing beliefs. they connect people with support, resources and community. They offer both peer support and professional support.
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For people feeling suicidal or having suicidal thoughts:
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
Call free on 116 123
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The Safe Passage Foundation provides resources, support and advocacy for people raised in restrictive, isolated or high-demand communities - "cults".
Email: support@safepassagefoundation.org
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/safepassagefoundation/
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NHS rape and sexual assault referral centres services
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Shema Koli exists to support anyone of the Jewish faith who has suffered or is suffering abuse. The Shema Koli Helpline exists to help those many silent and silenced victims of abuse in the Jewish Community tell their story – men, women and young adults – often for the first time.
Call: 020 3670 1818
Email: info@shemakolihelpline.org
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The Survivors Trust has 120 member organisations based in the UK & Ireland providing specialist support for women, men and children who have survived rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse.
Website: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/
Helpline: 08088 010818
Text: 07860022956
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Women’s Aid offers a range of support services which help thousands of women and children every year.
Experience Survey: Pastor Sexual Misconduct with Adult Congregation Members in Evangelical, Pentecostal Christian Faith Communities
In Australia? Can you help with some Australian research? (Ethics Approval Number: 7427- HE31, research is for an M Phil degree thesis.)
The research is to explore pastor sexual misconduct within Evangelical, Pentecostal Christian faith communities (male or female pastors).
The terms pastor, kids pastor, youth pastor, church leader, minister, and church elder, may be used interchangeably and they may or may not have been financially employed by the church. They may have been a volunteer pastor, your boss, your ministry supervisor, your bible college pastor, or your congregation or small group leader. The pastor may have been male or female.
Evangelical Christianity is an interdenominational movement within Protestant Christianity and centers around the infallible nature of the bible, a relationship with Jesus and the importance of conversion.
Pentecostalism is a branch of the evangelical Christian movement, also known as the charismatic movement.
Clicking on the link will give you more information to help you decide whether to participate.
https://qsurvey.qut.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_3w3Edzcda37aTUq?Q_CHL=qr