Student Q & A:  

1. Why don't women involved in abusive relationships "just leave"?  

 

2. Give several ways in which an abuser manipulates the family of the victim?  

 

3. What are two contrasting ways in which a spouse of an abuser may respond to the abuse allegations?  

 

4. How does the abuser create a world of distrust around the victim that enables others outside the situation to discredit the abuse victim when he/she finally speaks out about their abuse?  

 

5. Statistically speaking, are pedophiles able to be rehabilitated?  

 

6. Give four major side-effects of sexual abuse and is it possible for a victim of abuse to be completely healed from the affects of the abuse?  

 

7. What are four practical ways in which an abuser debilitates a victim who would like to exit the abusive relationship?  

 

8. Give an example of how an abuser seeks to discredit his victim when he/she comes forward?  

 

9. Is a religious organization legally liable if they allow an unlicensed counselor to mishandle matters of abuse?  

 

10. Why would it be paramount to a victim and leaders within a religious setting to get professional counseling outside their religious denomination to evaluate accusations of abuse?  

 

11. What control techniques and cultural mindsets do some religious organizations promote that can be used to enable a domestic and sexual abuser?  

 

12. Give two illustrations of tactics used by abusive religious leaders to keep control of members within their organizations?  

 

13. Why might a religious organization have a tendency to side with the accused abuser, rather than the person who is claiming to be abused?  

 

14. After your initial evaluation of the audio, what is the best way for an abuse victim to confront a situation like this?  

 

15. How should the leaders of a religious organization handle accusations of this nature when the accusations are made against a staff member within their organization?  

 

16. What is one of the most powerful avenues for a victim to regain power over their life after abuse?  

 

17. Give an illustration of how a friend or family member, who seeks what's best for all involved, would respond in this situation? 

 

 

      
Freedom From Abuse Network
 

If you get time, please watch the You Tube videos I have posted about several different religious cults/sects. When cults and sects are exposed you will often find some familiar themes:

1. A strong emphasis on obedience and submission to authority.

2. Control of music and information (books and outside thought)

3. Control of the appearance of the cult/sect members (hair, clothing, makeup, etc.)

4. An idea that anyone who disagrees with the cult/sect is the problem

5. Degradation and distorted view of women (emphasis on submission and obedience)

6. Abuse of children through isolation from the �outside� (physically and sexually)

7. An instilled fear of the outside world (which is considered evil/wicked)

8. The idea that it is the only �right� group

9. A genuine fear of leaving the group (something bad might happen)

10. Lack of a good/well-rounded education and legitimate credentials

Several observations: When faced with direct confrontation to the cults/sects philosophy the cult/sect leaders often say the ex-follower is just bitter, mentally unstable, generally unhappy, dissatisfied, could never have been pleased, etc. all the while denying all allegations of religious abuse. I was especially taken back by part 6 of the video on �The Family� as the new leader tries over and over again to say the Padilla family was �out of the mainstream� of the cult, trying to make it seem as if there was no connection to the organizations philosophy. If you look carefully you will catch �cult language� used in the videos that could be transferred from one cult to another as they have common themes. You may also want to take note that over time the cults adapt to outside criticisms by changing their philosophies just enough to appear �less abnormal� to the outside world.