Let's Talk About Sects

10/07/2025

An anonymous questionnaire is gathering information about the impacts of cults & organised fringe groups. It’s available to complete at vicparl.news/cofgq.

The questionnaire is open until 31 July and is part of an inquiry being conducted by the Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee.

The Committee wants to learn from people with experiences of cults or similar groups. By sharing their experiences—whether their own or those of someone close to them—people can help the Committee gain a better understanding of the behaviours and actions involved. This questionnaire asks about how people are drawn into these groups, what they may experience while involved, and how it can affect them and their families.

This questionnaire is anonymous to help protect people’s privacy and give people the freedom to speak openly, in their own words.

05/07/2025

The Parliament of Victoria's Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups is now open for submissions, closing on 31 July. Clare Heath-McIvor, co-lead of the Victorian Cult Survivors Network, delves into who can make a submission, Christian Dominionism and the Seven Mountains Mandate, her time within the City Builders Church and more in this interview episode.

04/07/2025

Out on the feed now: an interview with the incredible Clare Heath-McIvor, daughter of the leader of City Builders Church and advocate for cult survivors.

The Victorian Parliament's Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups is open for submissions until 31 July. Amongst many other (important) things, Clare provides insight into what the inquiry is looking for and who can make a submission.

03/07/2025

The latest interview episode with former City Builders member Clare Heath-McIvor is an important one. If you think the fundamentalist takeover of politics and legislation that is happening in the USA right now can’t happen in Australia, think again. Make sure you understand the aims of Dominionist theology so that we can keep a healthy separation of church and state. On the feed now, wherever you listen.

06/06/2025

Liz Cameron has personally helped deprogram people who have been indoctrinated into cults in the wake of her own experiences with Providence/JMS, and she understands how complicated it is for those who have a loved one enmeshed in a group like this. Her memoir, 'Cult Bride', is out now, and she shared some of what she's learned in this interview episode.

04/06/2025

Liz Cameron comes from a fundamentalist Christian background, and she wants churches on-side when it comes to advocating against the coercive behaviours of cultic groups. She understands the damage through her personal experience with South Korean cult Providence/JMS, and her memoir, 'Cult Bride', is out now (it's a fantastic read too).

25/05/2025

“Tore Klevjer has seen the destruction done to the lives of many people who have become part of a cult in Australia.

The president of Cult Information and Family Support Australia is hoping an inquiry into the tactics of cults and fringe groups will bring awareness of the harm such groups are causing and drive change to hold the groups accountable.”

Deception, psychological manipulation and 'love-bombing' are just some of the tactics of cults and fringe groups operating in Australia that an inquiry is likely to consider.

24/05/2025

Ryan and Catherine Carey, former members of the Geelong Revival Centre – alongside a group of survivors from a variety of cults – are calling on anyone impacted by a cult with a presence in Victoria, Australia, to make a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry. Currently open for submissions, alongside a questionnaire for those who may not wish to make a full submission. Listen to our interview episode to find out more. Inquiry info here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/cofg/submissions/?tab=panel-share-your-experience

23/05/2025

Headed in to ABC Radio National for a chat about cults and coercive control, out on God Forbid this weekend.

Is a cult a misunderstood religion? Or something much more dangerous? The line between high-control religions, new religious movements, and 'cults' is as grey as ever. But the fascination we have with these groups is only getting stronger. What counts as a 'cult'? Is it your highly controlling tech....

21/05/2025

Had a chat with the wonderful Ryan & Catherine Carey about the work they've been doing with other cult survivors which has led to the current Victorian Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups. Hope you'll take a listen, their advocacy is fantastic. If you've been impacted by a cult in Victoria, make a submission or answer the questionnaire here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/cofg/submissions/?tab=panel-share-your-experience

17/05/2025

Share your experience

Victorian Legal and Social Issues Parliamentary Committee

If you or someone close to you has been affected by a cult or fringe group, the Committee invites you to share your experience through our anonymous questionnaire.

Your story—told in your own words—can help us understand the real impacts of these groups and what supports or changes may be needed to protect others in future.

The questionnaire is open until 31 July 2025.The Committee is looking into cults and fringe groups in Victoria—how they recruit and control people—and will report back by 30 September 2026.

This inquiry is not about judging anyone’s beliefs—it’s about protecting people from harm. We want to understand whether current laws are strong enough to deal with groups that use manipulation or control in ways that can seriously hurt people.

https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/inquiries/cofg/submissions/