Prevention and Protection: What can organisations do?
Schools and Universities
Prevention education is key in protecting young people from recruitment to cults and extremist group. Young people can learn the warning signs. Schools and universities can take a leading role in prevention by educating students to recognise cult-like groups. A basic approach to such education can be found here. See also:
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Government and Local Communities
Countless children are trapped within closed cultic groups. This is a vulnerable population who are at risk yet unable to protect themselves. Their family members, under the extreme influence of cultic or extremist groups, may also be unable to protect them. People of any age who are going through normal life transitions can be vulnerable to recruitment attempts by cultic or extremist groups. Teachers, social services workers, law enforcement and others can be better prepared to help these populations through training in the characteristics, methods, and behaviours of such groups. Contact Dr. Stein for further information on available training programs. |
The Media
The media can help inform the public of the warning signs and behaviours associated with closed cultic or totalistic groups. Using personal stories is a good start, but this needs to be accompanied with elements of prevention education to avoid simple voyeurism of other people's trauma. Contact Dr. Stein for further information. |