F.A.C.T.'s End of Year Newsletter 2018 - Happy New Year!

Dear Friends and Supporters of F.A.C.T.,(Families Against Cult Teachings & Abuses),

We would like to thank you for your continued support in our mission. As we reflect on the past years accomplishments & how we’ve made a difference, we are happy knowing we’ve reached thousands of victims and helped them with valuable resources, education, and support in their journey to understand, cope with and overcome the abuses they’ve endured and or are advocating against.

Some of our work this past year includes:

The compilation of an extensive 40 plus page Resource Guide that everyone who emails us receives immediately.

We launched an online support group where people who are struggling with these situations can ask questions, share stories and get peer to peer support in a private support group setting.

We’ve mailed our printed preventative education materials to countless parents and advocates who’ve requested them in their efforts to educate themselves, their families, communities and schools. 

We’ve received hundreds of support calls and emails and listened to victims, their stories and have guided them in a positive direction away from these abusive situations and or advised them in what they can do to help a loved one.

Looking into the New Year and the future we are thrilled to be implementing and sponsoring many new programs that will directly help people of all types of abuse move from victim to survivor. Some of these programs are outlined below.

Art & Books for Therapy: Art is a therapeutic medium that can be an excellent tool to accessing emotions we cannot communicate verbally, moving towards processing and integrating our trauma. Art serves as creative expression which promotes healing and mental well being. In this new program we sponsor children from insulated, unhealthy environments and send them therapeutic art supplies and books to help them heal. This is your opportunity to give hope and healing to young victims of abuse. 

Preventative Education Initiative and Study Guide:

A Study Guide designed for students, parents, educators and advocates, that outlines the basic red flags of abuse and predatory personalities.

First Annual Survivors & Advocates Retreat:

 



Bringing together Abuse Survivors and Advocates of those involved in High-Demand Predatory groups and relations for a weekend of connection and healing.


The launch of our sister organization - EndingAbuse.org where we will be focusing on healing and education. (please note this website is still under development)

We want to Thank all of our readers, supporters and advocates that have helped us get to where we are at. We absolutely could not do this work without your help! On behalf of the FACT team, victims and survivors, we  are so grateful for all of your support.

As we head into the next year we need your support now to continue on with our important life saving work. We know you may be receiving a great deal of emails asking for donations this time of year, and we ask you to please consider the significance of our mission, which is over looked by most people who don't understand this very real and pressing social threat.

Please help us at F.A.C.T. with our victim support programs and preventative education and awareness initiatives. We ask that you consider making a donation, of any amount to support our mission. 

Please Donate Today 

Your generous contributions are what make it possible for us to fulfill our important, life saving work. We are a 501C3 non-profit, your generous donations are entirely tax deductible. 

Thank you so much for making a year-end donation to F.A.C.T.!

We wish you the Happiest and Healthiest New Year!

Sincerely,

The F.A.C.T. Team

Guru Swami Vishwananda in Germany

We were asked to share this blog post and information about Guru Swami Vishwananda.

"First of all it has to be mentioned that this text is not directed against homosexuality whatsoever. The article below is based on facts and experience of a big number of young men who came in contact with a gay guru, who acts as a spiritual father of monks and nuns. It was not written as revenge but to provide information and freedom to choose beforehand whether somebody wants to visit an ashram/ guru or not. We thank this forum for allowing critical information to be voiced, as it is key in our societies to share experiences to show up possible offenses.

Warning - If you are a truth seeker, want to mediate, learn yoga or in search of a spiritual guide and consider to visit the ashram of Swami Vishwananda from Heidenrod-Springen in Germany, which is situated 1 hour west of Frankfurt/ Main, beware of visiting the ashram and please be mindful of the following information. It is then up to you to proceed with your aspirations or to stay away from this ashram and guru."

Read the full blog post / expose here: https://reviewaguru.blogspot.com/?fbclid=IwAR3jrmwy25vMuSTKPH0-duJlIrAG3hbF2v-GiC93dvoWGzyClxhYLNjIul8

Please share this to help raise awareness.

Thank you,

The FACT Team 

Recent Plea for Help Daughter in Gladstone Church Cincinnati, Ohio

"CULT GROUP INFORMATION:

Name of Cult Group or Church: Gladstone

Where: Cincinnati, ohio. My daughter lives on XXXX Ave and they meet near there. They used to meet at Mariemont church in Cincinnati,

Leader(s): #Name_of_Leader(s)#

Please describe the cult activity: Are their specific complaints you'd like to tell us about?

Our daughte's personality changed after she joined. She met a woman at the mall in Cincinnati, who invited her to her church. They have many meetings. She moved into a house near the church with other members. She hands over almost all of her money to them. Everything is communal. She owns nothing. She does not choose her clothes, her food, what time to get up in the morning. She reads the bible constantly. She told me that if I want to go to heaven, I must give away all of my money. She only comes to see us in xxxx Ohio (2-hour drive) when there is a special occasion. She has many meetings. She does not see old friends. She works in a xxxx with only 1 other person. It's very isolating, and these are her only friends now. Now she is going to Israel in January for 2 weeks. She says it's through a group called Hope for Israel. She says that her money goes to overseas churches, but I'm sure she has no idea where it goes.

Are you aware of any human rights violations, emotional/physical abuse, illegal activity? Please be as detailed as you can.

I am not aware of any physical abuse or illegal activity.

Involvement with group: If yes, please explain.

1)when did they get involved? About 2 years ago

2) How did you/they get involved? How were you/they directly recruited? My daughter was working an extra job at a kiosk at a mall in Cincinnati. A woman invited her to her church. I forget the woman's name, unfortunately.

3) Are there other family members involved?no

4) Has their been a disconnection of relationship(s) with family, old friends? Yes. We are still in touch, but she is somewhat unemotional.

5) What are the circumstances currently? We see our daughter, but it's mostly when there is a family wedding or holiday. She has not come just to see us since she met these people. She hurries home to them, limits her time with us.

Impact from group: Please describe how you believe to have been harmed and/or wronged by this group. Be as detailed as possible, and send any supporting evidence via the email below.

Except for emotional isolation from friends and family, I am not aware of abuse. My daughter is very thin, but she was always thin, so I can't say that they control her food. I know that she almost never goes to the grocery store. Someone else does that. She packs her lunch so as not to spend any money. She eats peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, but she used to not even like them. She wears loose baggy clothes since being in the group."

In this particular situation it is a major plus that the daughter is still in touch with her parents and comes home for special occasions. We are working with the parents to advice them on steps to take for an "intervention" of sorts and to delicately educate their daughter on what the process of mind control is and how it happens. We are hopeful these efforts will lead to a successful intervention and the young girl will be saved from a life of Undue Influence and Mind Control.

Your generous donations make our work possible. Please help us to continue our life saving work here at FACT. Make your tax free donation today at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/fact 

Sincerely,

The FACT Team

Recent Support Email to FACT - "My Brother May Be Entering a Cult"

Initial Email to our office:

"Subject : : My Brother May Be Entering a Cult
 Your Message : First of all, God bless you guys for creating this amazing organization. I am so saddened to hear about Sharoni... She was indeed innocent and manipulated beyond a doubt.

My younger brother, who himself was in a manipulative relationship with his Karate Master (xxxx) recently left his Karate Master xxxx to move to Japan, where my brother has found new mentors. He is now being taught "secret martial arts" and left his well-paying salary and is jobless to go "help the people of xxxxxx Town" to "bring back jobs" and revive their economy. Mind you, my brother is 26, naive, and not very emotionally intelligent. We are very worried and don't know what to do to coax him back. We are wondering if you have any advice or if we can please even pay for a consultation with someone on your leadership. We is myself and my mom. Thank you so much."

Our office replied back and then received another email below from the concerned family member.

"Dear xxxx,

Thanks for your warm reply earlier.

I’m wondering when would be your next soonest availability to talk.

Out of nowhere, the monks in Japan have invited my brother to stay in complete seclusion in their temple (no contact with the outside world, and they don’t let you out even if you try, once you’ve agreed). They have many abusive practices.

We’re wondering if we can get any of your advice on how to intervene.

My brother already lives in Japan with these “mentors.” 

I’m sorry to bother you with such a time-sensitive request, as I am positive you receive many and have a busy life. Whenever is your best earliest next convenience, I am available. My direct number is xxx-xxx-xxxx (My mom is CCd as she would listen to the call as well)."

We receive dozens of these types of emails on a weekly basis. Your donations and support, help us to help people in desperate situations who need sound advice.

Families need support and guidance in these difficult and delicate situations. Please help us continue our important life saving work. Please make your tax free  contribution today at: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/fact

Thank you,

The FACT Team

Colorado Police Investigating Alleged Sexual Assaults Against Buddhist Leader Sakyong Mipham

"Authorities in Colorado have launched a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual assault against prominent Buddhist leader Sakyong Mipham and members of his organization, Shambhala International, ThinkProgress has learned.

The probe by the Larimer County, Colorado, Sheriff’s Office was confirmed by four sources who have spoken to investigators and supported by emails obtained by ThinkProgress.

The investigation, which has not been previously reported, comes after a series of reports published by the advocacy group Buddhist Project Sunshine accused Mipham of sexual assault and child sex abuse — allegations Mipham and Shambhala International vehemently deny.

Shambhala International denied that it or its staff are the subjects of a criminal probe. “At this time, it is our understanding that there is no open criminal investigation in Larimer County,” the organization told ThinkProgress in a statement.

The statement echoes denials given to ThinkProgress in August after earlier sex abuse allegations were made against Mipham. His attorney Michael Scott said his client “categorically denies assaulting anyone, sexually or otherwise, sexual contact with minors, or any other criminal offense [sic].” Scott, who issued his statement after Buddhist Project Sunshine published sex assault allegations in August, did not immediately return a request for comment on the Larimer County investigation.

The Shambhala meditation center in Boulder also rejected a separate offer of victim support and assistance from the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, ThinkProgress has learned.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office declined ThinkProgress’ request for comment but said anyone with information about possible sex crimes by Shambhala members in Colorado can contact investigators in its office. https://www.larimer.org/sheriff  "


Read Full Story Here

The FACT Team