Decult
@decult.bsky.social
We are a charitable organisation run by volunteers, dedicated to raising cult awareness in Aotearoa New Zealand. In October 2024, we held the first cult conference in Australasia - with more education and events to come!
This past Monday, Ulrike Schiesser, managing director of the Federal Office of Cult Affairs in Austria, spoke at the Parliament of Victoria hearings about cults.
November 11, 2025 at 11:48 PM
This past Monday, Ulrike Schiesser, managing director of the Federal Office of Cult Affairs in Austria, spoke at the Parliament of Victoria hearings about cults.
How do we define cults? How do we protect people from coercive control, and how do we better help those that are survivors of high control groups?
These are some of the questions at the heart of the parliamentary inquiry in Victoria into the recruitment methods of cults and fringe-groups.
These are some of the questions at the heart of the parliamentary inquiry in Victoria into the recruitment methods of cults and fringe-groups.
November 6, 2025 at 9:27 PM
How do we define cults? How do we protect people from coercive control, and how do we better help those that are survivors of high control groups?
These are some of the questions at the heart of the parliamentary inquiry in Victoria into the recruitment methods of cults and fringe-groups.
These are some of the questions at the heart of the parliamentary inquiry in Victoria into the recruitment methods of cults and fringe-groups.
Yesterday, our director Anke spoke at the Victorian Parliament hearings for the inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups.
November 6, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Yesterday, our director Anke spoke at the Victorian Parliament hearings for the inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups.
Big week ahead for us!
November 2, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Big week ahead for us!
We put warnings on cigarette packs: “Causes damage”.
In Australia, these are now printed on individual cigarettes.
In Australia, these are now printed on individual cigarettes.
October 30, 2025 at 8:41 PM
We put warnings on cigarette packs: “Causes damage”.
In Australia, these are now printed on individual cigarettes.
In Australia, these are now printed on individual cigarettes.
Every day, more than 50,000 people across Aotearoa New Zealand are affected by coercive control and the hidden harms of cults. Decult exists to raise awareness, take action and push for practical solutions — but we can’t do it alone.
October 28, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Every day, more than 50,000 people across Aotearoa New Zealand are affected by coercive control and the hidden harms of cults. Decult exists to raise awareness, take action and push for practical solutions — but we can’t do it alone.
🎬 Real stories. Real reactions.
Our documentary, BEYOND BELIEF - DECULT VOICES, is more than just a documentary. Have a look below to see what people are saying about it. It’s only been out two weeks and we already had 1500 views - thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Our documentary, BEYOND BELIEF - DECULT VOICES, is more than just a documentary. Have a look below to see what people are saying about it. It’s only been out two weeks and we already had 1500 views - thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
October 28, 2025 at 1:56 AM
🎬 Real stories. Real reactions.
Our documentary, BEYOND BELIEF - DECULT VOICES, is more than just a documentary. Have a look below to see what people are saying about it. It’s only been out two weeks and we already had 1500 views - thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Our documentary, BEYOND BELIEF - DECULT VOICES, is more than just a documentary. Have a look below to see what people are saying about it. It’s only been out two weeks and we already had 1500 views - thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
If you live with an invisible disability, or the aftermath of spiritual abuse, this is a reminder that your story matters.
October 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
If you live with an invisible disability, or the aftermath of spiritual abuse, this is a reminder that your story matters.
Our Decult 2024 keynote speaker, US cult expert Dr Janja Lalich, gave her input at the Victoria Parliament Inquiry into cults yesterday – and it was powerful. Her opening statement: “Believe survivors!”
October 21, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Our Decult 2024 keynote speaker, US cult expert Dr Janja Lalich, gave her input at the Victoria Parliament Inquiry into cults yesterday – and it was powerful. Her opening statement: “Believe survivors!”
Over 1000 views on our new documentary! We can't believe it. Our hearts are so full!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZMh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZMh...
October 20, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Over 1000 views on our new documentary! We can't believe it. Our hearts are so full!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZMh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZMh...
Look who’s joined our team!
We’re very lucky to have signed on Laura Irish as our marketing and relationship manager.
We’re very lucky to have signed on Laura Irish as our marketing and relationship manager.
October 18, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Look who’s joined our team!
We’re very lucky to have signed on Laura Irish as our marketing and relationship manager.
We’re very lucky to have signed on Laura Irish as our marketing and relationship manager.
The Victorian Inquiry into Cultic Groups is making waves and we’re so proud of our friends over in Australia.
October 16, 2025 at 8:41 AM
The Victorian Inquiry into Cultic Groups is making waves and we’re so proud of our friends over in Australia.
International release: DECULT VOICES - BEYOND BELIEF has launched today!
We made a crowdfunded short documentary at the 2024 Decult Conference, the first of its kind in Australasia. It was shot at Turanga Library in Christchurch, and it’s finally here.
We made a crowdfunded short documentary at the 2024 Decult Conference, the first of its kind in Australasia. It was shot at Turanga Library in Christchurch, and it’s finally here.
October 12, 2025 at 8:37 PM
International release: DECULT VOICES - BEYOND BELIEF has launched today!
We made a crowdfunded short documentary at the 2024 Decult Conference, the first of its kind in Australasia. It was shot at Turanga Library in Christchurch, and it’s finally here.
We made a crowdfunded short documentary at the 2024 Decult Conference, the first of its kind in Australasia. It was shot at Turanga Library in Christchurch, and it’s finally here.
🎬 Three more days, and we’re ready to roll! 🎥
Decult Voices: Beyond Belief will be released online with new updates and edits on Monday.
Decult Voices: Beyond Belief will be released online with new updates and edits on Monday.
October 10, 2025 at 12:44 AM
🎬 Three more days, and we’re ready to roll! 🎥
Decult Voices: Beyond Belief will be released online with new updates and edits on Monday.
Decult Voices: Beyond Belief will be released online with new updates and edits on Monday.
Cults and coercive groups often mask harm in wellness language. They demand obedience, silence doubts, and control autonomy.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s move in ways that heal, not harm. Let’s be active AND keep each other safe.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s move in ways that heal, not harm. Let’s be active AND keep each other safe.
October 7, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Cults and coercive groups often mask harm in wellness language. They demand obedience, silence doubts, and control autonomy.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s move in ways that heal, not harm. Let’s be active AND keep each other safe.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s move in ways that heal, not harm. Let’s be active AND keep each other safe.
Movement is medicine. It boosts mood, eases anxiety, and brings us closer to others.
But remember: not every ‘community’ that moves together is healthy.
But remember: not every ‘community’ that moves together is healthy.
October 7, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Movement is medicine. It boosts mood, eases anxiety, and brings us closer to others.
But remember: not every ‘community’ that moves together is healthy.
But remember: not every ‘community’ that moves together is healthy.
This year’s theme is ‘Top Up Together’ and every day this week has a different theme. Wednesday’s theme is about being active/Me Kori Tonu.
October 7, 2025 at 11:04 PM
This year’s theme is ‘Top Up Together’ and every day this week has a different theme. Wednesday’s theme is about being active/Me Kori Tonu.
Something exciting is on its way! 👀
⭐️ The Decult Voices: Beyond Belief documentary has been six months in the making and is the first of its kind.
⭐️ The Decult Voices: Beyond Belief documentary has been six months in the making and is the first of its kind.
October 6, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Something exciting is on its way! 👀
⭐️ The Decult Voices: Beyond Belief documentary has been six months in the making and is the first of its kind.
⭐️ The Decult Voices: Beyond Belief documentary has been six months in the making and is the first of its kind.
Our latest newsletter has just hit inboxes. If you’re not signed up yet, please find the link below. This fortnight, we’re excited to share our call for speaker proposals for Decult 2026.
After the success of DECULT 2024, we’re back, bigger and bolder!
After the success of DECULT 2024, we’re back, bigger and bolder!
October 3, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Our latest newsletter has just hit inboxes. If you’re not signed up yet, please find the link below. This fortnight, we’re excited to share our call for speaker proposals for Decult 2026.
After the success of DECULT 2024, we’re back, bigger and bolder!
After the success of DECULT 2024, we’re back, bigger and bolder!
🎤 Call for Speaker Proposals: DECULT 2026
📅 24-25 October 2026 | Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
📅 24-25 October 2026 | Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
October 1, 2025 at 11:40 AM
🎤 Call for Speaker Proposals: DECULT 2026
📅 24-25 October 2026 | Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
📅 24-25 October 2026 | Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
WHAT IS DECULT? - the verb and the organisation
✏️to decult (verb) = A new term that describes the process of raising awareness about high-demand groups and stopping harmful cultic influence.
✏️to decult (verb) = A new term that describes the process of raising awareness about high-demand groups and stopping harmful cultic influence.
September 29, 2025 at 7:09 AM
WHAT IS DECULT? - the verb and the organisation
✏️to decult (verb) = A new term that describes the process of raising awareness about high-demand groups and stopping harmful cultic influence.
✏️to decult (verb) = A new term that describes the process of raising awareness about high-demand groups and stopping harmful cultic influence.
Regain and Restore: Save the date!
Survivors & former members of high-demand groups from across NZ & Australia, this is for you. 💛The Oliveleaf Network are running a facilitated recovery weekend workshop in Auckland (14-16th of November).
Survivors & former members of high-demand groups from across NZ & Australia, this is for you. 💛The Oliveleaf Network are running a facilitated recovery weekend workshop in Auckland (14-16th of November).
September 26, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Regain and Restore: Save the date!
Survivors & former members of high-demand groups from across NZ & Australia, this is for you. 💛The Oliveleaf Network are running a facilitated recovery weekend workshop in Auckland (14-16th of November).
Survivors & former members of high-demand groups from across NZ & Australia, this is for you. 💛The Oliveleaf Network are running a facilitated recovery weekend workshop in Auckland (14-16th of November).
Cult apologists are individuals - often in professional roles - who defend or downplay the harmful practices of cults. A cult apologist will discredit or dismiss the facts brought forward by survivors and media.
September 24, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Cult apologists are individuals - often in professional roles - who defend or downplay the harmful practices of cults. A cult apologist will discredit or dismiss the facts brought forward by survivors and media.
