We are proud to report that FACT has been very successful this year in all areas of our mission, but especially with victim support and suicide prevention. Our coordinated efforts with families who requested our help have led to the recovery of many children and loved ones. We have also seen great progress in our fight against destructive groups all around the country. Our coordination with the proper enforcement and legal entities, in addition to our exposure efforts, have pressured cult group leaders to stop manipulating, exploiting and abusing their members, even resulting at times in the shutting down of group operations, the release of victims and many other positive outcomes.
We wish we could share with you all the details of our success stories, but unfortunately due to the legalities involved with our work we must keep all casework information confidential. We would like to share with you however just some of the communications FACT has received this year from ex-members of cults, families, and the public this year:
Our outreach, education and awareness efforts have also more than doubled this year, primarily through our extensive online efforts to reach more people with information about currently active destructive groups. As a result, we have received thousands of support requests and cult complaints via phone and email, and have done our best to help everyone in need considering our budget restraints. As such, we have prioritized our support resources for children, elderly and suicidal victims, and also for those in immediate danger. Here are some examples from recent complaints we have received:
"They are after my possessions, my money, and have told me if I can't pay them they will force me into prostitution for their financial gain. Meanwhile, the demeaning activity continues, the physical abuse is a daily occurrence I have told all my family and friends and police. I have reached the end of my rope with them. I need help ASAP.” - Elderly Cult Victim
"A few months ago we found out he [preacher] was having sex in front of a 14 year boy while the boy played with his self. I have been told this is sexual child abuse, I have tried to report it to the authorities but as of right now nothing has been done.” - Cult Victim
"I was introduced to this cult at the age of 8 when my parents joined the Church of God. I have been on disability for 12 years, suffering from PTSD, among other health issues because of my religious trauma… As a child I was subjected to physical/emotional abuse, bribes to comply, no food or electricity for punishment and isolation from peers. I have had psychiatric treatment since age 15 without ease…" - Cult Victim
We are fundraising for next year and need your immediate support in order to continue with our important mission. Please know, we are the only non-profit of our kind that exists within the anti-cult community doing this kind of work. All of our financial support goes toward education, prevention and intervention efforts to save lives, and we must consult with and hire on a consistent basis professionals from around the country, such as psychiatrists, educators, lawyers, private investigators, not to mention the qualified staff that keep our organization running strong.
Needless to say the expenses add up significantly and we need your generous support now to continue operating full steam ahead for 2017. Please know that 100% of your donation will be tax-deductible and will go entirely toward our mission.
We are hopeful that with your help we will be able to reunite many more families next year. Please help cult victims and families everywhere get the help they need by making your year-end contribution now.
Thank you for your support,
The F.A.C.T. Team
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