"Children and Cults" Conference
Overview
Friday, May 29 - Sunday May 31, 1998
Philadelphia, PA
Throughout history, children have been victims of cults.
Emotional and psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, withholding of
medical care, and denial of educational opportunities can be traumatic for any
person, but they are especially devastating on children. This conference brings
together variety of experts who will analyze the victimization, treatment and
recovery of child cult victims from a diverse array of perspectives. Some are
former cult members who will describe their own personal experiences. Others are
mental health and legal professionals who will describe their professional
experience.
Conference participants will gain knowledge and insights
into prevention of victimization as well as treatment and recovery strategies.
Children and Cults Conference
Highlights
Friday Events
 |
Background on
Child Abuse and Medical Neglect of Children in Cults |
|
|
Children and
Cults: What Does the Literature Tell Us? |
|
|
Remarks by
Donna Collins, the Daughter of the Founders of the Unification Church in
Great Britain. |
|
|
Growing Up in
Cults: A Panel of Former Members |
|
|
Sexual Abuse of
Children in Cults; A Panel of Former Members and Therapists |
|
|
Support
Sessions for Former Cult Members |
|
|
An Evening with
Margaret Thaler Singer, 20 Years of Studying the Abuse of Children in
Cults |
|
|
Legal
Perspectives on Children and Cults; Illustrative Cases and Anecdotes
|
|
|
A Review and
Analysis of the Legal Literature |
|
|
Discussion of
Children and Cults by a Panel of Attorneys and Therapists |
|
|
Support
Sessions for Former Cult Members |
|
|
The Cult Member
and the Family: Part I: The Cult Member’s Perspective; Part II: The
Family’s Perspective |
|
|
A Panel
Discussion on Issues of Children with Parents in Groups |
|
|
Effects of Cult
Involvement on Siblings |
|
|
Grandparents
Perspectives on Cult Involvement |
|
|
An Evening with
Margaret Thaler Singer and Louis Jolyon West: Reflections Across 50
Years of Studying Mind Control and Psychological Abuse |
|
|
A conceptual
Understanding of the Cult Phenomenon |
|
|
Thought Reform
Consultation (Exit Counseling): Helping Families Address a Loved One’s
Group Involvement |
|
|
Research
Planning Symposium |
|
|
How to Make a
Presentation About Cults |
|
|
How to Work
with Media |
|
|
How to Work
with Politicians |
|
|
Tips for
Avoiding Emotionalism |
|
|
Legal
Perspectives on the Above Topics |
|
|
Conference
Closing |
|
|
Robin A. Boyle
Esq., Professor, St John’s University School of Law (NY) |
|
|
Donna Collins,
raised in Unification Church by parents who were the founders and
leaders of the Unification Church in Great Britain. |
|
|
Randy Kandel,
Esq., J.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Loyola Law School (CA)
|
|
|
Michael
Langone, Ph.D., Executive Director & Director of Research, AFF; Editor,
Cultic Studies Journal |
|
|
Herbert L.
Rosedale, Esq., President, AFF; Parker, Chapin, Flattau & Klimpl (NY)
|
|
|
Margaret Thaler
Singer, Ph.D., Emeritus Adjunct Professor of Psychology, University of
California at Berkeley; author of Cults in Our Midst |
|
|
Andrew
Skolnick, Science and Medical Writer |
|
|
Louis J. West,
M.D. Director Emeritus, Neuro Psychiatric Institute, University of
California at Los Angeles |
Conference
Presenters And Moderators:
|
|
Livia Bardin,
M.S.W., Clinical Social Worker |
|
|
Rachel
Bernstein, M.F.C.C., Cult Hotline and Clinic, New York Jewish Board of
Family and Children’s Services |
|
|
Ron Burks,
M.Div., M.A. Staff Member, Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center
|
|
|
Carol Giambalvo, Director of
Recovery Programs, AFF; Thought Reform Consultant |
|
|
Lorna Goldberg,
M.S.W., A.C.S.W., Therapist in Private practice: New Jersey Institute of
Psychoanalysis |
|
|
William
Goldberg, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., Director, North Rockland Mental Health
Clinic |
|
|
Ronald N.
Loomis, Director of Education, AFF; Cult Awareness Educator & Consultant
|
|
|
Arnold
Markowitz, M.S.W., Director, Cult Hotline and Clinic, New York Jewish
Board of Family and Children Services |
|
|
Paul Martin,
Ph.D., Director, Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center |
|
|
Patrick Ryan, Director of
Internet Services, AFF; Thought Reform
Consultant |
|
|
Marcia Rudin,
M.A., Former Director, International Cult Education Program; author and
educator |
|
|
Kristin
Skedgell, M.Div., Counselor in Private Practice |
|
|
Doni Whitsett,
Ph.D., Lecturer, University of Southern California;Psychotherapist in
private practice |
|
