Helpful Organizations and Services

APA PsycNET® Direct

24-hour database access and single item access options give you immediate access to the research content you need.

Division 36: Psychology of Religion and Spirituality [research]

Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit (APRU)

The Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit is based at Goldsmiths, University of London, and is part of the Department of Psychology. The research unit was established by Professor Chris French in 2000 to provide a focus for research activity in the area of Anomalistic Psychology. In general terms, Anomalistic Psychology attempts to explain paranormal and related beliefs, and ostensibly paranormal experiences in terms of known or knowable psychological and physical factors. Read our introduction to Anomalistic Psychology for an overview of the field. [research]

Apologetics Index

The Apologetics Index 'family of web sites' provides 47,830+ pages of research resources on religious cults, sects, new religious movements, and alternative religions. Also included: information about apologetics-, anticult-, and countercult organizations, as well as entries on doctrines, religious practices and world views. These resources reflect a variety of theological and/or sociological perspectives. 

Asociación Iberoamericana para la Investigación del Abuso Psicológico

La Asociación Iberoamericana para la Investigación del Abuso Psicológico (AIIAP) es una asociación profesional especializada en relaciones sectarias, sectas destructivas y otras dinámicas de abuso psicológico. [research]

Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA)

The Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) strives to democratize access to the best data on religion. Founded as the American Religion Data Archive in 1997 and going online in 1998, the initial archive was targeted at researchers interested in American religion. The targeted audience and the data collection have both greatly expanded since 1998, now including American and international collections and developing features for educators, journalists, religious congregations, and researchers. Data included in the ARDA are submitted by the foremost religion scholars and research centers in the world. Currently housed in the Social Science Research Institute, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Department of Sociology at the Pennsylvania State University, the ARDA is funded by the Lilly Endowment, the John Templeton Foundation, Chapman University and the Pennsylvania State University. [research]

Asylee Refugee Migrant Assistance Network 

ARMAN is a multidisciplinary mental health organization staffed by a team of international trauma experts, subject matter experts, medical and academic researchers and practitioners who have extensive experience treating and working with individuals who have suffered the most extreme forms of torture and trauma around the world. It is from these experiences that ARMAN’s culturally competent, multicultural values and holistic approach to healing are founded. 

Avery Center

The Avery Center—formerly Free Our Girls—was founded in 2014 to address the gap in direct services for adults experiencing commercial sex trafficking in Northern Colorado and across the United States.

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

The mission of the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is to protect and advance the rights of adults and children who have mental disabilities. The Bazelon Center envisions an America where people who have mental illnesses or developmental disabilities exercise their own life choices and have access to the resources that enable them to participate fully in their communities.[legal]

Becoming Free

Becoming Free provides professionally facilitated support/recovery groups that offer psycho-social education in the context of safe relational support. These groups are for adults who have suffered previous involvement in abusive/harmful religious or spiritual environments. Additionally, a friends and family one day educational seminar will now be offered November 5, 2016. This seminar is for friends and family that have loved ones involved in religiously abusive environments or who have just recently exited.

Berkman Center for Internet and Society

The Berkman Center at Harvard University was founded to explore cyberspace, share in its study, and help pioneer its development. The Center investigates the real and possible boundaries in cyberspace between open and closed systems of code, of commerce, of governance, and of education, and the relationship of law to each. Its faculty, fellows, students, and affiliates engage with a wide spectrum of Net issues, including governance, privacy, intellectual property, antitrust, content control, and electronic commerce. As part of Its active research mission, the Center builds, uses, and freely shares open software platforms for free online lectures and discussions and sponsors gatherings, ranging from informal lunches to international conferences. [legal]

Centers for Apologetics Research

The Centers are a unique international network of evangelical cult research and education agencies. Our main goal is to equip Christians in the developing world for discernment, the defense of the faith, and cult evangelism.

Centre d'information et d'avis sur les organisations sectaires nuisibles (CIAOSN)

Le Centre d'information et d'avis sur les organisations sectaires nuisibles est un Centre INDEPENDANT institué auprès du Service Public Fédéral Justice. Les membres du Centre ont été désignés par la Chambre des Représentants, dont la moitié sur présentation du Conseil des Ministres. Ce sont des personnalités éminentes issues de différents domaines réputées pour leur connaissance, leur expérience et leur intérêt du phénomène. CIAOSN, RUE HAUTE 139, 3 ième étage, 1000 BRUXELLES, info@ciaosn.be.

CESNUR (Center for Studies on New Religions)

CESNUR is a network of independent but related organizations of scholars in various countries, devoted to promote scholarly research in the field of new religious consciousness, to spread reliable and responsible information, and to expose the very real problems associated with some movements, while at the same time defending everywhere the principles of religious liberty. [research]

Cheetah House

Cheetah House exists to provide sensitive support to those experiencing meditation-related difficulties and to empower people to make informed decisions about the role of meditation in their lives and organizations.

CHILDUSA

CHILD USA seeks to end child abuse and neglect through evidence-based research resulting in enlightened law and public policy.

What does CHILD USA do? CHILD USA conducts research, compiles evidence, promotes ideas, and proposes the most effective policies to prevent childhood sexual abuse and neglect. CHILD USA draws on the combined expertise of the nation’s leading medical and legal academics to reach evidence-based solutions to persistent and widespread child abuse and neglect. All child victims deserve justice, and CHILD USA aims to find the path for them.

How is CHILD USA different? CHILD USA is the first research-based think tank on child abuse and neglect. Unlike the vast majority of children’s advocacy organizations, CHILD USA is not engaged in direct delivery of services or support to victims. Instead, CHILD USA supplies the policies and data to organizations, legislators, policymakers and society that will combat abuse and neglect as well as create nurturing environments for children.

CHILD USA builds on the extraordinary work of two leaders in the field.

Rita Swan, the founder of CHILD, Inc., has been the leading national advocate for the protection of children from medical and educational neglect.

Prof. Marci Hamilton is the founder and CEO of CHILD USA and a national expert on child sex abuse; the statutes of limitations that make it difficult for victims to pursue justice; and religious defenses that may lead to neglect.

CHILD USA combines these two leader’s missions to provide a comprehensive approach to promoting justice for victims of child abuse and neglect.

Child Trauma Academy

CTA is a not-for-profit organization based in Houston, Texas working to improve the lives of high-risk children through direct service, research and education. We recognize the crucial importance of childhood experience in shaping the health of the individual, and ultimately, society. By creating biologically-informed child and family respectful practice, programs and policy, CTA seeks to help maltreated and traumatized children. [research]

Chilling Effects Clearing House 

Chilling Effects aims to help you understand the protections that the First Amendment and intellectual property laws give to your online activities. The site is a joint project of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, University of San Francisco, University of Maine, George Washington School of Law, and Santa Clara University School of Law clinics. [legal, topic human rights]

Church Exiters 

This website explores the issues of people who have experienced spiritual abuse in their local churches and how they have, over time, recovered.

CIAOSN (Centre d'Information et d'Avis sur les Organizations Sectaires Nuisibles)

Le CIAOSN est chargé de l'étude du phénomène des organisations sectaires nuisibles en Belgique ainsi que leurs liens internationaux.

Coercive Control Collective

The Coercive Control Collective is a community of people and organizations with the goal of unmasking a pattern of abuse core to highly controlling relationships and groups. We are committed to an approach that recognizes intersectional systems of power that impact and structure the experiences of victims.

Columbia Human Rights Law Review

(HRLR) is one of the oldest and the most recognized human rights journals in the world. Established in 1967, the HRLR is run by students at Columbia University School of Law. The HRLR is dedicated to the analysis and discussion of human rights and civil liberties under both domestic and international law. [legal, topic human rights]

Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth (CAFETY)

A member-driven advocacy organization, led and driven by those with direct experience in residential care and our allies. We promote and secure the human rights of youth in or at risk of residential placement.

Counterextremism.org

The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) is an independent think tank whose work aims to challenge threats to international and communal peace, from polarisation and radicalisation through to defence and security challenges. It does this through a range of policy, research, educational and cultural programmes which include the facilitation of inter-governmental and expert task forces, cross-border action networks, major applied research projects, high-level briefings, and a scholarship and leadership scheme run with the University of Oxford to nurture the next generation of leaders across Europe’s wider neighbourhood. ISD is also involved in incubating a range of initiatives that are seeded as independent organisations helping to deliver its mission in practice. The Institute works extensively across Europe, North America, the Middle East and China.

Cult Education and Recovery Professional Support

Group For Former Members of High Demand Groups or Cults, Including SGAs

Colleen Russell, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Group Psychotherapist, has over 20 years of experience in a general private practice working with individuals, couples, families, and groups in Marin County, San Francisco Bay Area. She specializes in high-demand group or cult education and recovery and was also a former member as a young adult. Her other specialties include trauma, loss and grief, and motherless daughters. She has presented at conferences and written articles for the International Cultic Studies Association, Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society, among other organizations. She has facilitated workshops for former members, family members of someone involved, and Second Generation Adults (SGAs), those raised in cults. Since 2003 she has developed and facilitated a Group for Former Members in which participants address and explore issues relevant to their lives, gain acknowledgement, express differences and commonalities, and learn how others have navigated through challenging situations. The group offers opportunities for healing from loss and trauma while moving forward in one’s life.

Cult Education Institute (CEI)

The Cult News Network

Cult News

The Cult Education Institute (CEI) is an educational nonprofit, which offers the general public an online library about controversial groups and movements, some that have been called "cults." The CEI archives, which was first launched in 1996, has recently been redeveloped into a more modern information database. CEI is a member of both the American and New Jersey Library Associations. Together with Cult News.com and the Cult News Network the related CEI websites offer the public an interactive educational resource

Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS)

CIFS is an Australian support and information network. CIFS was initially formed by parents and family members of loved ones caught up in abusive groups. The network has grown to include families, friends, former members and concerned individuals working together towards a common goal, to provide support and develop awareness for those affected by high demand groups or cultic relationships.

Cult Information Centre (CIC)

CIC is a charity providing advice and information for victims of cults, their families and friends, researchers and the media. CIC was founded in 1987 and became a registered charity (No. 1012914) in 1992. It was the first charitable organisation, established in the United Kingdom, focusing critical concern on the harmful methods of the cults.

Cult Mediation

Offers resources designed to help thoughtful families and friends understand and respond to the complexity of a loved one’s cult involvement.However, because each case should be assessed individually, we can more effectively advise you on what resources to concentrate on, if we know a bit about your situation. Site of Joseph Kelly/Patrick Ryan.

CultNEWS101.com

News, links and resources about cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations, medical and related topics. We provide information from many points of view - our intent is to encourage understanding of the complexity of group involvement. We encourage readers to consider a variety of opinions, so that inquirers can make independent and informed judgments pertinent to their particular concerns. Provided by Joseph Kelly/Patrick Ryan.

CultNews101 is available: Facebook    Twitter     Via email: to subscribe, send an email to pryan19147@gmail.com

Cults and Law Enforcement

This page has been created for the purpose of educating and assisting law enforcement when dealing with cults and extremist groups they may encounter in their various jurisdictions.

Cults and New Religious Movements: A Bibliography

Bibliography, with emphasis on sociology, compiled by Rob Naninga.  Mainly material from before 2000.  However, this is quite an extensive listing.

116 Online Texts About Cults and NRMs  [research]

Dallas Cult Resource

Hope for those who have lost their way because of spiritual or cultic abuse. Doug and Wendy Duncan, who run a support group in the Dallas area.

Dare to Doubt

Dare to Doubt is a resource hub for people detaching from harmful belief systems. Maybe you're just beginning to question. Maybe you left your faith years ago. Here are some of the things you can find...

Dialog Centre UK

The DialogCentre UK offers information, understanding and help about high-demand religious or political groups and the effects of involvement with them. Whether you want information about your own or someone else's group, feel you need expert help, or just want to tell someone your story, contact us. Our contact details are on the bottom of this page.

Domestic Violence: How to Get Help When You Are Scared Of The Consequences

How do you recognize you’re in an abusive relationship and reach out to others for help? Almost 30% of couples report that they are struggling with some sort of abuse or domestic violence, but the issue is often denied, excused, or overlooked by the victim. This is particularly true if the abuse is psychological rather than physical. The first step towards getting help is to notice and acknowledge it, rather than avoid it. You should not have to live in fear of the person you love. Look for the following red flags and, if they’re present in your relationship, reach out to somebody. Remember – there is always help available for you.

EducaSectas

Miguel Perlado.  Bienvenido al espacio de EducaSectas, donde se recogen noticias de actualidad acerca de diversos movimientos. Los grupos que aparecen en este espacio han sido incluidos en la medida en que han sido calificados de “sectas” o bien por mostrar “comportamientos sectarios”. No obstante, no todos los grupos que se califican como “sectas” son necesariamente dañinos; de hecho, alguno de estos grupos podría ser considerado más o menos benigno y no ser más que grupos muy centrados en una persona, idea u objeto. Le recomendamos que consulte diversos artículos a su disposición en la página de la Asociación para la Investigación del Abuso Psicológico (AIIAP). 

HemeroSectas

EducaSectas YouTube

EducaSectas Facebook

EducaSectas Twitter

Electronic Frontier Foundation

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital world. Founded in 1990, EFF champions user privacy, free expression, and innovation through impact litigation, policy analysis, grassroots activism, and technology development. We work to ensure that rights and freedoms are enhanced and protected as our use of technology grows. [legal]

Encourage Survivors of Cults and Abuse

EnCourage was set up in order to offer support to those who have left a cult, abusive group, one on one cult or been spiritually abused (called former members). This includes first generation (joined or recruited) and second/third generation (born and or raised). Whilst EnCourage has a wide range of aims (set out on this page) we are only able to offer one service at this time (when funds allow) which is to subsidise counselling for those who cannot afford to pay. Counselling can be subsidised if the former member is seeing an already approved Service Provider (ASP). This ASP will have been approved by EnCourage and thoroughly checked (counselling accreditation a requirement).

Ethics and the Modern Guru Magazine

Information and help on cults and the occult. Unlike contemporary magazines that promote new-ageism, neo-advaita or non-dualism, this magazine sets out to shine a light on the negative impact of teachers and teachings within those movements.

Evangelical Ministries to New Religions

The mission of EMNR is to recognize, encourage, and strengthen responsible ministry to new religious movements.

EXIT

Exit is a project within the non-profit organization Fryshuset. Our aim is to help and provide support to those who wish to leave a nationalistic/racist/nazi oriented groups and movements. We provide hands-on support for persons wanting to leave a neo nazi or racist environment by cooperating with various housing corporations, the police, social services, legal system and also with the client’s own family and friends.

Exit and Support Network

Help and Hope for Survivors of Worldwide Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, Restored Church of God, and All Offshoots

Facing Abuse in Community Environments (FACE).  Members of the Muslim community are collectively coming to terms with the fact that among the people who are serving as leaders, including clergy, teachers and religious scholars, are those that abuse their positions of power and violate their ethical responsibilities. Despite the commandments within Islamic teachings that prohibit the transgressing of boundaries or acting abusively towards others, especially the added responsibilities placed on leaders, there are people in positions of power who readily transgress to the point of becoming abusive. It is our responsibility as a community to address this accountability gap.

FECRIS (European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Cults and Sects)

Created in 1994, FECRIS serves as an umbrella organisation for associations which defend victims of cultic excesses in more than 30 countries to date, among them 5 are non-European.

First Amendment Law Review (University of North Carolina)

The First Amendment Law Review (FALR) is a student-edited legal journal that seeks to promote and protect the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment through publishing scholarly writings on, and promoting discussion of, issues related to the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. FALR publishes professional and student articles for the benefit of scholars and practitioners. Professional contributions are composed of scholarly articles, symposium papers, and novel, interesting essays on a variety of issues touching the First Amendment. Student contributions are composed of scholarly examinations of discrete First Amendment topics and recent developments in First Amendment law. [legal]

First Amendment Project

First Amendment Project is a nonprofit organization providing free and low-cost legal services on public interest free speech and free press matters. FAP provides these services to its core constituency of activists, journalists and artists who seek to vindicate important First Amendment rights, but do not have the financial resources to hire private counsel. FAP represents these clients by defending them when they are sued for what they say or write, by contesting governmental non-compliance with open records and meetings laws and in challenging laws, practices and policies that infringe on First Amendment rights. FAP is the only nonprofit organization in the country dedicated to providing free legal representation exclusively on free speech and free press issues. [legal]

Free Minds UK

An education and support group for people who are, or were, involved in cults or high demand groups. Free Minds UK is based in London, UK. It also provides individual education and support for cult recovery.

Freedom of Mind Resource Center, Inc. 

The Freedom of Mind Resource Center, Inc. offers counseling, consulting, and coaching services along with information for those seeking help for themselves or a loved one concerning controlling people, cults, beliefs, and estrangement.  We do a wide range of undue influence situations: estrangements, parental alienation, second generation, cults, and use the Strategic Interaction Approach created and developed by veteran Steven Hassan and explicated in Combatting Cult Mind Control and Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs. It is important to stay strong, involved, and to know that "love is stronger than mind control.”

Hjälpkällan

Swedish cult help organization that "offers support and information to people who are, are no longer, want to be, or think of becoming members of a closed religious community - what we usually call a sect. Common to us who work in the association is that we all have experience with a closed organization." [from Google Translate]

Hjelpekilden

"The source of help Norway is a voluntary organization that provides help and support for people in problematic religious violations. We also work with information on religious environments, integration issues, mental health, children's rights, and other issues affecting religious outbreaks." [from Google Translate]

Hartford Institute for Religion Research

Hartford Seminary's Hartford Institute for Religion Research has a thirty-four year record of rigorous, policy-relevant research, anticipation of emerging issues and commitment to the creative dissemination of learning. This record has earned the Institute an international reputation as an important bridge between the scholarly community and the practice of faith. Resources include an online Encyclopedia of Religion and Society. [research]

Hope Valley Counselling

Gillie Jenkinson specialises in offering Post Cult Counselling to former members of abusive groups, high demand groups, cults, one-on-one cults or relationships and spiritual abuse. The company is named after the area in which it operates - the Hope Valley - which is a beautiful part of England called the Derbyshire Peak District, and is a National Park and an area of outstanding natural beauty. Post Cult Counselling is a flexible approach to counselling former cult members and survivors of spiritual abuse which may include clients coming and staying locally and spending time with Gillie Jenkinson in psycho-educational/relational counselling.  Email: info@hopevalleycounselling.com

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice. Human Rights Watch is an independent, international organization that works as part of a vibrant movement to uphold human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all. [legal, topic human rights]

HRWF International

Human Rights Without Frontiers

Advocacy of democracy, the rule of law, social justice, and human rights. [legal], topic human rights

Info-Cult / Info-Secte

Legal and Government Reports

Info-Cult is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1980 based in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) that offers help and information about cults, new religious movements and related groups and subjects.

Info-Secte est un organisme sans but lucratif de bienfaisance fondé en 1980 situé à Montréal (Québec, Canada) qui offre de l'aide et de l'information sur les sectes, les nouveaux mouvements religieux et les groupes ou sujets connexes. [legal; research]

Inform

Inform (Information Network on Religious Movements) is an independent charity, based at the London School of Economics and supported by the British government and mainstream churches. Its objective is to provide information that is as reliable and up-to-date as possible about minority religions, including new religious movements (‘NRMs’), spiritual, esoteric and/or other ‘sectarian’ or ‘cultic’ movements. [research]

In Shaykh's Clothing

In Shaykh's Clothing is a resource website for spiritual abuse in the Muslim community. The site includes an introduction to spiritual abuse, accounts of spiritual abuse, a section on narcissism, and a blog.

IndoctriNation

Podcast on various topics.. conducted by Rachel Bernstein

International Journal for the Study of New Religions

Published in cooperation with The International Society for the Study of New Religions (ISSNR), the journal was founded in 2010.  International Journal for the Study of New Religions considers submissions from both established scholars and research students from all over the world. Articles should be written for a general scholarly audience. All articles are refereed. [research]

Intervention101.com

Offers resources and services designed to help thoughtful families and friends understand and effectively respond to the complexity of a loved one’s cult involvement. Site of Joseph Kelly/Patrick Ryan

James Randi Educational Foundation

The James Randi Educational Foundation was founded in 1996 to help people defend themselves from paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. The JREF offers a still-unclaimed million-dollar reward for anyone who can produce evidence of paranormal abilities under controlled conditions. Through scholarships, workshops, and innovative resources for educators, the JREF works to inspire this investigative spirit in a new generation of critical thinkers.

Journal of Contemporary Religion

An international peer reviewed journal. Its purpose is to both document and evaluate the anthropological, sociological, psychological, and philosophical aspects of emerging manifestations of religiosity in any part of the world—whether within innovative movements or mainstream institutions. [research]

Kito, Masaki

Official website (Japanese) of Masaki Kito who is a founding partner of LINK LAW OFFICE Kito and Partners in Tokyo, established in 2001. He has been an advocate for the victims of various cultic groups for over 20 years in Tokyo. He is a member of the National Network of Lawyers against Spiritual Sales, Legal Team Representing Victims of Aum Shinrikyo, and the Japan Society for Cult Prevention and Recovery (JSCPR). He is also renowned as a specialist of the broader range of consumer affairs and also a specialist of issues concerning the Internet.

Libel and Slander, Elements of

FindLaw on definition, defamatory statements, publication requirement, meaning of a communication, reference to the plaintiff, find more information.

FindLaw Directory of Defamation Lawyers

Life After Hate

Life After Hate is committed to helping people leave the violent far-right to connect with humanity and lead compassionate lives. Our vision is a world that allows people to change and contribute to a society without violence.

MeadowHaven

New England Institute of Religious Research

MeadowHaven exists to provide a refuge for former members of high control, destructive groups to rest, heal, and grow. By understanding their experience in an abusive environment and acquiring the skills necessary for life outside the group, MeadowHaven helps former members recover their ability to be thriving contributors to society. Healing is fostered in the context of healthy community, relationships with other former members with similar experiences, and a supportive staff who understand the processes of thought reform, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), identity confusion, chronic emotional disturbance, etc

Media Law Resource Center

"The MEDIA LAW RESOURCE CENTER, INC. (MLRC) is a non-profit membership association for content providers in all media, and for their defense lawyers, providing a wide range of resources on media and content law and policy issues. These include news and analysis of legal, legislative and regulatory developments; litigation resources and practice guides; and national and international media law conferences and meetings. MLRC also works with its membership to respond to legislative and policy proposals, and speaks to the press and public on media law and First Amendment issues." [legal]

Mediate.com

With over 15,000 articles, news items, blog postings and videos, and over 5 million annual visitor sessions, Mediate.com is the world’s leading mediation web site. Mediate.com serves as a bridge between professionals offering mediation services and people needing mediation services.

MIVILUDES

La Miviludes observe et analyse le phénomène sectaire, coordonne l’action préventive et répressive des pouvoirs publics à l’encontre des dérives sectaires, et informe le public sur les risques et les dangers auxquels il est exposé.

Mormon Mental Health Association

The Mormon Mental Health Association (MMHA) is a professional association for mental health providers, clinicians, educators and advocates who are interested in or are working with the Mormon population.  By Mormon population we refer to the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as members of any church tracing back to the restoration movement of Joseph Smith.

National Association for Christian Recovery

The National Association for Christian Recovery is a not-for-profit religious organization whose passion is the cultivation and growth of recovery communities within or in partnership with Christian churches. We believe that part of the Good News that Christ brought to us was the realization that we can all bring our “problems of self” into the community of Christ and that his grace extends to our hidden wounds as well as our faith.

National Association of Forensic Counselors

Established in 1995, the National Association of Forensic CounselorsTM is the first certification board to develop standards and establish the specialty professions of Forensic Counselor and Criminal Justice Specialist, and the very first certification board to develop standards and establish certification for Human Trafficking Victims Services Providers. 

National Institute for the Psychotherapies 

The National Institute for the Psychotherapies (NIP) is a provider of psychoanalytic training for mental health professionals and low-cost psychotherapy and psychoanalysis for adults and couples. NIP is based in New York City. 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

We can help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. 1-800-273-8255

NJ Safe & Sound

NJ Safe & Sound is a volunteer organization whose mission is to educate the public about predatory alienation and to promote laws to protect families from such destructive manipulation. Visitors to the site can review a draft bill to provide a civil cause of action for the malicious disruption of the parent-child relationship, sign a petition for its passing, and fill out a questionnaire about their own experience with a ruptured relationship. They also will find answers to FAQs, expert interviews, and sample letters they can use to encourage legislators to address malicious undue influence. More information is available at facebook.com/njsafeandsound. 

Nova Religio

Nova Religio presents scholarly interpretations and examinations of emergent and alternative religious movements. [research]

Online World Religions Project

Division of Religion and Philosophy, University of Cumbria [research]

Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance

Disseminate accurate religious information. Expose religious fraud, hatred, and misinformation. Disseminate information. Promote religious tolerance. [research]

Open Mind Foundation

Our mission is to address the effects of undue influence and manipulation and to offer ways of recognising and reducing its effects. We will achieve this through education and research and will support those who are affected.

Open Secrets: Following the Money in Politics

Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, OpenSecrets is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. Our mission is to track the flow of money in American politics and provide the data and analysis to strengthen democracy. Our vision is for Americans to use this knowledge to create a more vibrant, representative and accountable democracy. 

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is a California nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Our mission is to engage, educate and empower individuals to protect their privacy. We identify trends and communicate our findings to advocates, policymakers, industry, media and consumers.

Psychology of Religion Pages

Maintained by Michael Nielsen, Department of Psychology, Georgia Southern University. [research] 

Psychotherapy and Consultation for Cultic Abuse, Spiritual Abuse, Trauma Recovery, Boulder, Colorado  

Leona Furnari, LCSW, is a psychotherapist specializing in assisting individuals and families in recovery from highly controlling, manipulative and/or abusive groups, cults, or 1:1 relationships. I work with those who entered destructive groups as adults, as well as those who were born or raised into these groups or relationships. I provide a supportive, safe, therapeutic environment to help former members understand what happened to them, explore the short-term and longer-term impacts, and learn to develop strengths and skills to move forward in life in a self-affirming manner. I also am a certified EMDR (eye movement desensitization & reprocessing) therapist and consultant.

Psychotherapy and Cult Recovery with Rosanne Henry, LPC 

Comprehensive help for anyone affected by destructive cults: 

Survivors, Loved ones and Professionals:

Easily accessible information on psychological manipulation and cultic abuse

Up to date announcements on meetings, conferences and workshops

Solid advice on where to find safe support and reliable resources in the cult recovery field

Detailed explanation of Rosanne Henry’s background, experience, and approach to cult recovery

Public Participation Project

"The Public Participation Project works to protect citizens from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) through the enactment of legislation in Congress and the states. Check out the video to the right and please donate if you can. Thanks! " [legal]

FAQs about SLAPPS.

Quackwatch

Quackwatch is now an international network of people who are concerned about health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere. To help visitors with special areas of interest, Dr. Barrett maintains 24 additional sites for autism, chiropractic, dentistry, multilevel marketing, and many other hot topics. Our Internet Health Pilot site provides links to hundreds of reliable health sites. Our Casewatch site contains a large library of legal cases, licensing board actions, government sanctions, and regulatory actions against questionable medical products. We are also affiliated with Bioethics Watch, which highlights issues of questionable research on humans. [research]

Questia - Trusted Online Research

Located in downtown Chicago, Questia is the premier online research and paper writing resource. Since its founding in 1998, Questia has helped students find and cite high-quality, scholarly research. With emphasis on subjects related to the humanities and social sciences, Questia provides the resources needed to complete most college-level, core-curriculum course assignments. The Questia library contains books and journal articles on subjects such as history, philosophy, economics, political science, English and literature, anthropology, psychology, and sociology. It also includes magazine and newspaper articles.

Real-World Reasoning

Real-World Reasoning is part of Earlham College's Explore-A-College program. It is a two-week intensive course giving High School juniors and seniors a college-level academic experience and college credit. Taught by philosophy professor Peter Suber, the course explores "what makes some reasoning good and other reasoning bad. We'll learn how the validity of reasoning differs from the truth of statements. We'll learn a number of common fallacies, how to recognize them, criticize them, and avoid them. We'll spend a good deal of time practicing fallacy-detection on actual specimens of reasoning from political speeches, argumentative essays, advertisements, and letters to editors. Our goal is to be readers who are well-armed against fallacies and deception, and writers whose reasoning is honest, rigorous, and persuasive."

Reclamation Collective

Reclamation Collective is committed to holding space for folks navigating Religious Trauma and Adverse Religious Experiences.  We hope to support you as you reclaim, or claim for the very first time, your identity, pleasure, and autonomy.

Recovering From Religion

Learning how to live after questions, doubts, and changing beliefs is a journey. We at Recovering from Religion are intimately familiar with this path, and we are here to help you to cross that bridge. Our passion is connecting others with support, resources, community, and most of all, hope. We have two forms of support available below: peer support and professional support. 

Recovering Grace

Recovering Grace is an online organization devoted to helping people whose lives have been impacted by the teachings of Bill Gothard, the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), and the Advanced Training Institute (ATI). Recovering Grace provides a unique perspective in that it was founded and is operated by adults (and their spouses) who were raised as children in Bill Gothard’s Advanced Training Institute. We all have attended Bill Gothard’s seminars, and most of us served within the IBLP organization in some form or fashion. Among the members of our team are pastors, lawyers, teachers, accountants, businessmen, and stay-at-home moms. We have all taken different journeys, but we all have one thing in common: We survived ATI. (For more about who and what Bill Gothard, IBLP, and ATI is, visit our FAQ section).

Red de Apoyo para Victimas de Sectas

Esta página ha sido creada con el propósito de ofrecer una herramienta de ayuda alterna a víctimas intimidadas, perseguidas y/o amenazadas por grupos sectarios. Pretendemos ayudar a satisfacer las necesidades emocionales y a fortalecer emocionalmente con nuestro apoyo a víctimas de sectas o cultos destructivos.

Red Iberoamericana de Estudio de las Sectas (RIES) 

Información de actualidad sobre las sectas y la nueva religiosidad, a cargo de la Red Iberoamericana de Estudio de las Sectas (RIES). La RIES es una red de expertos católicos en el fenómeno de las sectas y de la nueva religiosidad

Religious Groups Awareness International Network (REGAIN)

Monitoring harmful groups in mainstream Churches and Religious Groups.

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

For more than 40 years, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has provided free legal advice, resources, support and advocacy to protect the First Amendment and Freedom of Information rights of journalists working in areas where U.S. law applies, regardless of the medium in which their work appears.  

In particular, see the First Amendment Handbook.

Also, see libel articles in The News Media and the Law, Summer 2011 [legal, topic human rights]

Restrictive Religious Groups by Jim Moyers, MA, MFT

“An essay by a psychotherapist on cultic and fundamentalist groups, orthodox vs. heterodox beliefs, and religious abuse with links to other articles and resources for those affected by restrictive religious groups.”

RETIRN

RETIRN is a private practice of psychologists and clinical social workers which specializes in providing services to individuals and families harmed by coercive social/religious movements ("cults") and other abusive relationships. It has offices in the USA (Delaware and Lansdowne) and the UK (Pontypridd, Wales and Buxton, England). Counseling/psychotherapy, forensic (legal) consultation and expert testimony, and information and referral services are among the services offered by RETIRN. Please feel free to email Dr Steve Eichel at steve@dreichel.com, Dr Linda Dubrow-Marshall at LJDMarshall@aol.com, Professor Rod Dubrow-Marshall at rpdmarshall@gmail.com), and/or Roberta Eisenberg at robertaeisenberg@comcast.net.

Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

This Australian commission's website has links to many useful research reports, including: Analysis of claims of child sexual abuse made with respect to Catholic Church institutions; Safe and sound: Exploring the safety of young people in residential care; Principles of trauma-informed approaches to child sexual abuse: A discussion paper.

Safe Passage Foundation

The Safe Passage Foundation provides resources, support and advocacy for people raised in restrictive, isolated or high-demand communities, colloquially referred to as "cults."

Salvation Road - A Play

A stage drama for family audiences. Suitable for youth theatre. Two guys. One rusted out Honda. Twenty-four hours to separate a girl from her guru. The road to Hell was never more fun. When his hip older sister Denise disappears with members of a fundamentalist church, 17-year-old Cliff Kozak struggles to hold it all together, pretending that he isn’t hurt by her decision to cut him out of her life. But a year later, a chance sighting of Denise at a New Jersey strip mall leads Cliff and his best buddy Duffy on a road trip into the heart of a deepening mystery. Why would a smart and talented girl like Denise fall for the hollow promises of a sleazy preacher? Could it be that blind faith is just another term for a desperate need to belong?

Sektesignaal

Sektesignaal is een laagdrempelig meldpunt waar iedereen persoonlijke ervaringen en vragen over misstanden binnen gesloten groepen kan bespreken met een vertrouwenspersoon. Bij Sektesignaal kunnen zij in een vertrouwelijk gesprek een eerste stap zetten om hun ervaringen te delen en advies in te winnen over mogelijke vervolgstappen. 

Sidran Institute

Sidran Institute develops and delivers trauma-focused books, workbooks, videotapes, DVDs, and educational brochures; assessment and teaching tools; educational programs for the general public

training and consultation for clinical and frontline audiences; design and consultation on trauma-informed services; pilot and demonstration projects on collaborative trauma services; resources customized to meet the needs of specific consumer and provider populations.

Skeptic

The Skeptics Society is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) scientific and educational organization whose mission is to engage leading experts in investigating the paranormal, fringe science, pseudoscience, and extraordinary claims of all kinds, promote critical thinking, and serve as an educational tool for those seeking a sound scientific viewpoint. Our contributors—leading scientists, scholars, investigative journalists, historians, professors and teachers—are top experts in their fields. It is our hope that our efforts go a long way in promoting critical thinking and lifelong inquisitiveness in all individuals. [Research]

SNAP (see Survivors Network of Those Abuse by Priests)

SOS Abusi Psicologici

S.O.S. Abusi psicologici è Associazione di Volontariato iscritta al n° 905 del Registro Regionale del FVG. E’ organizzazione estranea ad ogni attività politico-partitica, religiosa e razziale, non ha fini di lucro, intende perseguire esclusivamente finalità di solidarietà sociale ed è fondata sulla partecipazione attiva e volontaria dei suoi aderenti. Essa opera nel territorio della Repubblica Italiana. I contenuti e la struttura dell’associazione sono democratici, basati su principi solidaristici e consentono l’effettiva partecipazione degli aderenti alla vita ed all’attività dell’associazione. L’associazione si ispira ai principi della legge 266/91, in particolare a quanto previsto all’art.3, comma 3; essa si adegua ed adempie alle previsioni normative della l.r. n. 12/95.

Spiritual Abuse

This website and blog is being created based upon several years of academic research on the topic of spiritual abuse and the development of The Spiritual Abuse Assessment.

Stop Abusive Lawsuits

Lawsuits are an important part of the judicial system because they allow individuals to rectify losses and gain justice. However, some members of society file lawsuits to abuse other individuals and silence victims. The goal of this Stop Abusive Lawsuits website is to inform the public about this problem and pressure legislators into passing laws to stop frivolous lawsuits.

Stronger After

Stronger After provides free and accessible support to those have been harmed in coercive groups and relationships. Our goal is to alleviate suffering and stop the dangerous cycle of coercive control.  By creating online, one-on-one support and classes, we are able to reach a population that is very often overlooked. 

Suicide.org Resource Listing

Offers a comprehensive listing of crisis/suicide help lines by state. Suicide.org is non-profit organization. Our mission is to prevent suicides, support suicide survivors, and educate the public about suicide. We also run an online suicide survivors' forum, which provides a safe place for suicide survivors to receive help. 

Surrealist.org Cult Info (Nori Muster)

The Nitty Gritty on Cults - books, links, and resources on the Hare Krishna movement and general information about cults. What makes a cult dangerous? * Do you need a guru? * 14 Common Characterstics of Cults by Marcia Rudin * Ten Points to Develop Healthy Boundaries * Born or raised in a cult * Friend or loved one in a cult * Recovery books by Nori Muster, and more.

Surviving Church

A blog for those wishing to explore the issue of abuse in the Church. Why does it happen? How can we move on from it? In the blog you will find 100+ articles that have been written on various aspects of Church life, its leadership and some of the problems it faces. Some of the articles are topical and connect with current events. Others are attempts to throw light on having a better understanding of why things can go wrong in the Church. Most of the articles have been written by Stephen Parsons, an Anglican priest and writer. He has made a study of abuse in the Church over the past 15 years.

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP)

SNAP is an independent, confidential network of survivors of institutional sexual abuse and their supporters who work to protect the vulnerable, expose predators and those who shield them, heal the wounded, share stories,  empower others to confront the truth, find healthy ways to recover.

The Avery Center

The Avery Center—formerly Free Our Girls—was founded in 2014 to address the gap in direct services for adults experiencing commercial sex trafficking in Northern Colorado and across the United States.

Therapy Exploitation Link Line (TELL)

Resources for people who have been emotionally or sexually exploited in psychotherapy or other healthcare setting;

The Centers for Apologetics Research (CFAR)

The Centers for Apologetics Research (CFAR) is meeting the challenge of evangelization across the developing world, where many cultic movements are growing fastest and the church is most vulnerable. 

The Cult Next Door

The Cult Next Door by Elizabeth Burchard and Judith Carlone. Synopsis: At 17, Elizabeth attended a therapy session where the practitioner regaled her with prophetic visions of a glorious future, hers to claim beside him. Over the next decades, this master at manipulating metaphysical concepts organized a small dedicated band. Among brainwashed minds fused with New Age doctrine, Elizabeth sank into despair. From the gullibility that led her astray, to the enlightenment that freed her, you will travel an incredible journey. For anyone who has ever been trapped by a person who would not let them go, within this book lies a message of hope.

The Cult Vault

A podcast offering in-depth insight into some of history's most infamous Cults, modern-day sects and conspiracies within these groups.

The Database of Religious History

The world’s first comprehensive online quantitative and qualitative encyclopedia of religious cultural history.

The Forgiveness Project

The Forgiveness Project is an award-winning, secular organisation that collects and shares real stories of forgiveness to build understanding, encourage reflection and enable people to reconcile with the pain and move forward from the trauma in their own lives. Our exhibitions, events, and programmes use narrative learning techniques to present alternatives to cycles of conflict, violence, crime and injustice.

The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Over the past five decades, immigration has dramatically changed the religious landscape of the United States. Today, the encounter of people of different religious traditions takes place in our own cities and neighborhoods. In 1991, the Pluralism Project at Harvard University began a pioneering study of America's changing religious landscape. Through an expanding network of affiliates, we document the contours of our multi-religious society, explore new forms of interfaith engagement, study the impact of religious diversity in civic life, and contextualize these findings within a global framework. [research]

The Reasoning Page

This page does not solely focus on argumentation in natural language, but broadens the arena to address the issue of the nature and contexts of good reasoning. Thus, the page includes everything from formal logic resources (because in many contexts formal reasoning is good and appropriate reasoning) to resources in rhetoric (despite what Plato thought, persuasion is not inimical to reasoning). I have also included links to reasoning in specific contexts.

UNADFI

L’UNADFI, Union nationale des Associations de défense des Familles et de l’Individu victimes de sectes, a pour but de prévenir les agissements des groupes, mouvements et organisations à caractère sectaire, accompagner et défendre les familles et les individus victimes de ces groupes, etudier les doctrines et pratiques des mouvements à caractère sectaire, Informer et documenter le grand public. A cette fin, elle réunit, anime et coordonne les différentes ADFI (Associations de défense des Familles et de l’Individu) et les associations ayant le même objet.