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THE FREEDOM TRAIN PROJECT

@thefreedomtrain

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We assist people leaving coercive control situations with our unique program of network triangulation, triage, education and process of recovery.

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We are continuing our #AugustisCultAwarenessMonth series!🎗️.

Last week we had amazing discussions about popular cults, especially the Jim Jones Cult.
Did you know that 918 people died in the massacre and 68% of those massacred were Black Americans? These statistics astounded many of last week!

This week we will expand the conversation with discussion around the topic “Recognizing Cult Leadership in Black Religious & Spiritual Communities”.

Many Black survivors can easily recognize that something felt wrong within their religious or spiritual community. What is often more difficult is understanding how certain leaders gained so much influence, trust, and authority in the first place.
 What makes someone appear so believable? Why are some leaders able to inspire deep devotion while discouraging questions, accountability, or independent thinking? And how can we distinguish between healthy spiritual leadership and leadership that becomes controlling?

In this support group, we’ll explore the characteristics, tactics, and patterns commonly seen in cult leadership, with a particular focus on how these dynamics may appear within some Black religious and spiritual communities. Together, we’ll discuss topics such as charismatic leadership, spiritual authority, the misuse of power, manipulation, dependency, narcissistic and authoritarian traits, image management, and the ways culture, faith, and community can sometimes be used to reinforce unhealthy leadership.

Through discussion, reflection, and video clips from the Netflix documentary “How to Become a Cult Leader”, we’ll examine how influence is built, why many survivors trusted these leaders, and why recognizing unhealthy leadership can be especially challenging when those leaders are deeply respected within our communities.

It’s not too late to register for this free online event. The link to register is in the bio.

Hope to see you on 8/13/26 @7pm EST!

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Stoked to be one of three recipients of a 2025 Ethical Media Award from @thefreedomtrain!🥳🏆

From the US organisation’s website:
'Her nominators praised her “unparalleled dedication to raising cult awareness, supporting survivors, and advocating for societal change.” One nominator remarked that she “has worked tirelessly to both expose cults and support victims through her journalism, her book Cult Trip, and the conference she conceived and organized.” Anke’s passion for exposing coercive groups, promoting survivor led initiatives and pushing for better mental health support makes her a formidable advocate and a deserving recipient of the Ethical Media Award.'

Thank you to everyone who put my name forward. And a massive shout out to our incredible team at Decult which won the 2025 Champion of Change Advocate Award, which I’m also celebrating. ❤💥

#freedomexpressawards #freedomtrainproject #decult #ankerichter #ethicalmedia #championofchange #cultconference #cultawareness #cultsurvivors

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International Cult Awareness Month has kicked off! Gray's Trauma-Informed Care Services Corp has decided to team up with the Freedom Train Project Inc's International Cult Awareness Month campaign.

Let's talk about cults. A “cult” isn’t just a fringe religion. It can be any high‑control group that demands absolute loyalty and uses manipulation to keep members in line.

These groups range from political or religious movements to multi‑level marketing companies, gangs, and even families with a domestic abuser.

People don’t join such groups because they’re gullible; members are deliberately deceived and psychologically manipulated. Over the next few weeks we’ll explore coercive control, warning signs, and ways to support survivors.

#ICAM #InternationalCultAwarenessMonth #AdvocateforCultVictims #HighControlGroups #RaiseAwareness #AdvocateforCultSurvivors #PopulationBasedAdvocacy #DoingYourPart #CultAwareness

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Coming February 22, 2025 on #youtube I interviewed Dr. Tabitha @thefreedomtrain who not only has experience being in a cult( high control group) but helps others take steps in their healing journey! #nxivm #nxivmcult #jessistories #interview

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Today is Cult Awareness Day!🎗️
On this day, 46 years ago, over 900 people tragically lost their lives in the Jonestown Massacre—a devastating event that remains one of the largest mass deaths in American history.

The Jonestown tragedy is not just a story of loss but also a glaring reminder of how cults manipulate marginalized communities, preying on vulnerability, hope, and the desire for belonging. Yet, in the cult recovery space, the voices and experiences of Black survivors remain largely invisible.

As a trauma recovery coach specializing in religious trauma and cult recovery, I see this as a call to action. We need more research, more support, and more acknowledgment of Black former and current cult members.

Today, let’s honor the memory of those who were lost in Jonestown while amplifying the stories of Black survivors who are too often erased. To all survivors: you are seen, you are valued, and your voice matters. 💜

Repost: @moyoafrika
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The Jonestown massacre comes as the biggest documented mass suicide (murder- suicide) in history where most of the victims were Black. What would be deemed today as a cult, The Peoples Temple was a church led by Jim Jones, an awful predator who targeted the vulnerable, mainly marginalized communities to join his church.

Using principally Black women as the voice of his fellowship, in the wake of MLK’s recent assassination, where the Civil Rights movement took a painful blow, he used his church as an ‘integrated’ ‘everyone is welcome’ avenue to manipulate a community in pain.

Through this he developed ‘The Promised Land’ commune in the forests of Guyana, and this is where the abuses really started. Black women did make up the majority of the 1000+ members who left the USA in hopes of true freedom.
After having a U.S. senator shot dead who flew down to Guyana to investigate him, Jones coerced or forced by gun and knife point, the members of The People’s Temple to drink the Kool-Aid like drink in a mass suicide, including the 300 children present. Those who refused were shot. 💔
Reposted: @knowyourcaribbean

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Silence is powerful. It can protect us, but it can also hold us captive. In so many Black religious communities, silence around abuse has been normalized—taught as a form of endurance, a badge of faith, or something to be “prayed away.” But this silence doesn’t just hide the pain, it deepens it. When abuse is buried under layers of scripture and tradition, the wounds are left to fester, and survivors are left feeling unworthy of being seen and heard. 💔

In tomorrow’s free online support group session, we’re going to lean into that vulnerability. We’ll explore the silence that has surrounded abuse in Black religious spaces, and what it means to break free from that silence. This is a safe space to show up as you are, with all the courage it takes to speak your truth. Together, we’ll bring into the light the shame, isolation, and fear that have kept us quiet, and we’ll take those brave first steps toward healing.

Let’s come together, speak our truth, and find strength in the shared stories of resilience. You are worthy of healing. You are worthy of being heard. 🗣️✨

“Shame dies when stories are told in safe places” - Ann Voskamp

Free online support group space on Meetup, every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month @ 7pm EST. Link is in my bio. Please RSVP to get the link for the group. 🎗️

#blackreligioustrauma #blackreligioustraumarecovery#blackreligioustraumarecoverynetwork #blackchurchesbelike #blackchurch#blackchurchproblems#abusivechurchleaders#churchhurt #religious trauma#spiritualabuseisreal #religioustraumaisreal #spiritualabuse #religiousabuse#religioustrauma recovery #religiousabusesurvivor#churchabuse #churchabuseisreal#churchabusesurvivor#ReligiousTrauma #BlackHealing #ThePowerOfVulnerability #BreakTheSilence #TraumaSurvivors #HealingIsCourage #BlackCommunity #ShowUp #SpeakYourTruth #SafeSpace

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✨ Are you struggling to find the words to describe your experience with religious trauma? You’re not alone.

Join the Black Religious Recovery Network for a powerful support group session on “Identifying the Language of Black Religious Trauma.” This Thursday at 9/26 @7pm CST

Our last group time was so impactful for both the hosts and the group attendees. ☺️

In this safe and supportive space, we’ll explore the unique phrases, teachings, and cultural messages that have impacted our spiritual and mental well-being.

Let’s come together to unpack these experiences, find our voice, and reclaim our stories. ☺️
Whether you’re just beginning to process your journey or looking for a community that understands, we’re here for you. 💜

Please RSVP to receive the zoom link. Share this info with survivors who need the support. 🎗️

#BlackHealing #ReligiousTrauma #BlackSupportGroups #HealingJourney #BlackMentalHealth#blackreligioustrauma #blackreligioustraumarecovery#blackreligioustraumarecoverynetwork #blackchurchesbelike #blackchurch#blackchurchproblems#abusivechurchleaders#churchhurt #religious trauma#spiritualabuseisreal #religioustraumaisreal #spiritualabuse #religiousabuse#religioustrauma recovery #religiousabusesurvivor#churchabuse #churchabuseisreal#churchabusesurvivor#blackcultsurvivors

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Tonight we resume our free online support group for Black Religious Trauma Survivors at 7pm EST.

Come and be informed, supported and encouraged. ☺️

It’s time for us to come together and talk about this particular form of trauma within our religious families & communities.

Use the meetup link in my bio to RSVP to receive the link for tonight.

Looking forward to seeing many of you soon.

#blackreligioustraumaisreal #survivingtheblackchurch
#blackchurchesbelike #blackchurches #blackchurchesproblems #bkackchurchabuse #religioustrauma #religioustraumasurvivor #religioustraumaisreal #religioustraumarecovery #spiritualabuse #spiritualabusesurvivor #blackcults #blackcultsmatter #spiritualabuserecovery #spiritualabuseisreal

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Black Religious Trauma Recovery Network is back resuming our free online support groups, starting next Thursday 9/12 @ 7pm EST. We will continue to meet every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month.

There are many reasons why support groups are helpful for survivors.
For Black Religious Trauma Survivors there are unique reasons why survivor support groups like this matter. Reasons such as:

🎗️Focused conversations that address the unique challenges that arise from being both Black and a survivor of religious trauma.

🎗️Participants may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive topics related to race & religion with those who have similar experiences & backgrounds.

🎗️According to Pew Research Center, Black Americans are considered more religious than any other racial group, with many identifying as Christian (8 out of 10).This deep rooted religious affiliation may make it more difficult for survivors to speak out or seek support.

🎗️Existing resources & organizations that deal with religious trauma (support groups, educational resources,etc) are often led by individuals from predominantly white backgrounds. Many in whom may not be equipped to speak on the cultural differences of Black religious trauma.

These are just some of the reasons why Black Religious Trauma Network was formed and why we are offering our support groups for free. It is long overdue for Black religious trauma & even cult survivors to be supported & resourced.

Please share this with your groups & networks so Black survivors can be in the know.

Looking forward to our next meeting together this Thursday! See you soon! 😊

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📢 Call for Speakers! 📢
International Cult Awareness Month is looking for dynamic and knowledgeable speakers to join our live web panels this August. If you have expertise or experience related to cults, public policy, cultural perspectives, or survivor insights, we want to hear from you!
🗓️ Panel Schedule (Pacific Time):
• August 14th: Policy and Cults – A live panel discussion with experts and advocates.
• August 15th: Cults Across Culture – Live webinar on cultural perspectives.
• August 31st: Cult Typologies – Live webinar with insights from former members and experts.
📩 DM us for more information on how to apply!
Join us in making a difference and sharing vital knowledge during International Cult Awareness Month.
#CultAwareness #PublicHealth #Policy #Education #Healing #ICAM2024 #CallForSpeakers #Webinars #CultSurvivors #supportandheal

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ICAM official merchandise to help fundraise for victims of cults. We get between 4 and 5 dollars donation for each product you purchase from bonfire to put toward direct care of victims, their families, and marketing to get their attention and create awareness. Thank you for your support. #icam2024

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