METHODS TO HELP? – A QUALITATIVE STUDY ABOUT PROCEDURES AND METHODS IN THE WORK WITH PRESENT- AND FORMER CULT MEMBERS.
Gustav Ledstam Gabriel Öberg Örebro University
School of Law, Psychology and Social Work Education of Social Work
Social Work, 61-90 p, C-essay 15 p 2009
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study is to investigate methods and work procedures that aim to motivate people to leave a cult and/or supporting them after a cult exit. The study was limited to investigate how Sweden’s, within the area, three premier voluntary organizations Föreningen Rädda Individen, Rådgivning Om Sekter and Hjälpkällan work with present -, ex – and relatives to cult members. In addition to the mentioned organizations we have also investigated the work procedures and methods used by Åke Wiman. The study has got a qualitative approach and includes semi-structured interviews. The results have been analyzed thru already existing methods. These are exit counseling, Strategic interaction approach and Strategic interaction approach – after the invention. The analysis shows that Hjälpkällan and Rådgivning Om Sekter does not use any specific, explicit method in their work but focuses more on the fellow human being support. Wiman uses parts of both exit counseling and Strategic interaction approach. Further it is recognized that Föreningen Rädda Individen explicitly uses the method of Strategic interaction approach. One can see varying amount of similarity between existing methods and all of the organizations looked in to. There seems to exist a concept confusion and an incorrect use of the meanings of deprogramming, exit counseling and Strategic interaction approach even among the initiated which indicate lack of knowledge or conscious misuse of the words.
Keywords: exit counseling, strategic interaction approach, mind control, cult exit, cult
