The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is a global network of people concerned about psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments. ICSA is tax-exempt, supports civil liberties, and is not affiliated with any religious or commercial organizations.
Showing posts with label conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conference. Show all posts
Friday, April 20, 2012
Conference – Montreal, 2012: Abstract of Pre-conference event: Overview and preparation for the conference: former members
Overview and preparation for the conference: former members
The opening session of the conference for former members is an opportunity for former members to meet and be able to identify with other former members, orienting them for the conference and informing them of the special sessions “for former members only,” preparing them for possible triggers that may occur, and discussing the importance of critical thinking to recovery and attendance at the conference. We briefly discuss triggers, and the possibility of triggers occurring when we are learning about and discussing cultic experience. Triggers are not something to be afraid of. They actually can be helpful, pointing out areas of our vulnerability—this is a safe place for them to occur. A special session on triggers is offered as the first session during the conference.
After introducing the presenters, we inform the attendees about what can be expected when the conference begins. The following information is presented:
ICSA conferences are open to all.
There may be speakers and sessions where information is presented that you disagree with or are in direct opposition to; please use your critical-thinking skills. Also remember that ICSA has provided a safe place where you can disagree and you can be heard.
We have a team of people you can talk to—feel free to pull them aside and tell them you need to talk. They are identified as “Assistance Team” on their name tag.
Attendees are asked to share their names, the groups they were in, how long they were out of the group, and their expectations for the conference. Anyone who does not wish to introduce themselves can just “pass.”
An overview of the recovery process is presented, with an open invitation for comment or questions.
The following conference sessions are open to former members only:
· Coping with Triggers
· After the Cult: Who Am I?
· Session for Those Born/Raised in Groups (Second-Generation Adults)
· Critical Thinking
· Boundaries
· Wrap Up
All other conference sessions are open to former members except where noted on the schedule.
Register
More Information
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
A practical approach for law enforcement when dealing with cultic groups
ICSA Annual International Conference: Manipulation and Victimization
Mark Roggeman
Many people who have had an experience with cults because a relative became involved have been disillusioned when they have asked law enforcement for help. The response they usually get is that there is not much that can be done unless there is illegal activity. The concern is that the police may be interfering with the freedom of religion. In the present day, police departments are successfully using problem-solving models through the Community Policing model. This model can also be implemented when a questionable group comes to the attention of local police departments.
A simple approach that officers can take is to visit a group and let them know who they are and that they are there to assist them. They can let the group know that the department is there to protect them from those who might dislike the group or who possibly threaten to cause harm. The connection that results could possibly cause authorities to become aware of the group’s behavior, so that the authorities may be able to observe any changes that might occur relative to the group that could signal a violation of the law or even harm to the members.
Law enforcement, both local and federal, most often become involved with cults after a tragedy occurs, such as suicide, involvement in financial fraud, or a case that affects children through neglect or abuse, including sexual violations. Most of these groups probably will never do anything that attracts the attention of law enforcement. The problem is that illegal activities that are not known to anyone outside the group do go on because of the group’s isolation from the rest of society. This kind of situation is one in which officers become effective in gathering intelligence by getting to know the group. The result is that officers may become aware of illegal activities. I personally had members of a group in southern Colorado reach out to me because they did not know anyone one else outside the group. Through this connection, authorities learned that children had died, they believe, because medicine was denied as a result of the group’s belief that to take medicine reflected a lack of faith.
An article on cultic groups in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin of September 2000 stated accurately that the potential for violence on behalf of members of biblically driven cults is determined almost exclusively by the whims of the cult leader. Therefore, effective intelligence and analysis of such cults requires an extensive understanding of the cult leader.
To address the concern of authorities about violating the protection of individuals’ freedom of religion, officers need to be concerned only with behavior that may be harmful to people both inside and outside the group. Granted, the beliefs may be the cause of the harmful behavior, but only the behavior is the cause for concern.
Montréal, Canada; July 5-7, 2012 - more information
Abstract
Mark Roggeman
Many people who have had an experience with cults because a relative became involved have been disillusioned when they have asked law enforcement for help. The response they usually get is that there is not much that can be done unless there is illegal activity. The concern is that the police may be interfering with the freedom of religion. In the present day, police departments are successfully using problem-solving models through the Community Policing model. This model can also be implemented when a questionable group comes to the attention of local police departments.
A simple approach that officers can take is to visit a group and let them know who they are and that they are there to assist them. They can let the group know that the department is there to protect them from those who might dislike the group or who possibly threaten to cause harm. The connection that results could possibly cause authorities to become aware of the group’s behavior, so that the authorities may be able to observe any changes that might occur relative to the group that could signal a violation of the law or even harm to the members.
Law enforcement, both local and federal, most often become involved with cults after a tragedy occurs, such as suicide, involvement in financial fraud, or a case that affects children through neglect or abuse, including sexual violations. Most of these groups probably will never do anything that attracts the attention of law enforcement. The problem is that illegal activities that are not known to anyone outside the group do go on because of the group’s isolation from the rest of society. This kind of situation is one in which officers become effective in gathering intelligence by getting to know the group. The result is that officers may become aware of illegal activities. I personally had members of a group in southern Colorado reach out to me because they did not know anyone one else outside the group. Through this connection, authorities learned that children had died, they believe, because medicine was denied as a result of the group’s belief that to take medicine reflected a lack of faith.
An article on cultic groups in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin of September 2000 stated accurately that the potential for violence on behalf of members of biblically driven cults is determined almost exclusively by the whims of the cult leader. Therefore, effective intelligence and analysis of such cults requires an extensive understanding of the cult leader.
To address the concern of authorities about violating the protection of individuals’ freedom of religion, officers need to be concerned only with behavior that may be harmful to people both inside and outside the group. Granted, the beliefs may be the cause of the harmful behavior, but only the behavior is the cause for concern.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
2012 Annual International Conference
The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) will be conducting its 2012 Annual International Conference jointly with Info-Cult/Info-Secte and in collaboration with the Université de Montréal, The International Centre for Comparative Criminology (ICCC) of the Université de Montréal, andl’Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes.
The conference will be held at The Holiday Inn Select Montreal Centre Ville Downtown.
The hotel is right next to Chinatown and one block from historic Old Montreal's attractions and shops and minutes’ walk away from the renowned Montreal International Jazz Festival which takes place from June 28 – July 7, 2012.
Note: In addition, the International Centre for Comparative Criminology (ICCC) at the Université de Montréal will organize a scientific conference entitled, "Manipulation and Victimization in a Religious Context: Understandings and Controversies." This conference will run parallel to ICSA's annual conference. Both conferences will be open to registrants of either conference.
More Information
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