36 International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 8, 2017
they can weigh against objective standards for
admissibility. Innocent group members have to
face the reality of abuses inflicted in secret
leaders become accountable for their roles in
abuse occurrences and continuing members (in
instances where groups do not simply dissolve)
must accept the stigma of association and accede
to public pressure regarding internal structural
and doctrinal reforms. Moreover, abused
members not involved with a particular trial may
begin to reassess their experiences and conclude
that they, too, have been harmed, and they can
see parallels with cases from other groups.
Obtaining justice and appropriate
compensation for victims are ideal goals, but
these goals are only partially served by out-
of-court settlements (especially those with
silencing clauses). Beyond justice and
compensation for victims, however, public
trials and court decisions provide important
educational opportunities for society, and
possibly even serve as motivations for
deterrence, as well. Victims usually feel
vindicated, and they may experience
enormous burdens of guilt, anger, and
frustration lift from their shoulders upon
hearing guilty verdicts against those who
harmed them.
About the Authors
Andrea Willey BA, LLB, completed her
undergraduate studies at the University of
Alberta, where she received an Honours
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She continued
her studies at the University of Alberta to obtain
her law degree in 2011. Currently she practices
law at the firm of Duncan Craig LLP in
Edmonton, Alberta, primarily in the areas of
family law and mortgage enforcement. E-mail:
awilley@dcllp.com (please send all
correspondence regarding this article to
steve.kent@ualberta,ca).
Stephen A. Kent, PhD, Professor of Sociology,
University of Alberta, teaches undergraduate
and graduate courses on the sociology of
religion and the sociology of sectarian groups.
He has published articles in numerous sociology
and religious study journals. His 2001 book,
From Slogans to Mantras: Social Protest and
Religious Conversion in the Late Vietnam War
Era, was selected by Choice: Current Reviews
for Academic Libraries as an Outstanding
Academic Title for 2002. In 2012 he received
The Margaret Thaler Singer Award for
advancing the understanding of coercive
persuasion and undue influence from the
International Cultic Studies Association. E-mail:
steve.kent@ualberta,ca
they can weigh against objective standards for
admissibility. Innocent group members have to
face the reality of abuses inflicted in secret
leaders become accountable for their roles in
abuse occurrences and continuing members (in
instances where groups do not simply dissolve)
must accept the stigma of association and accede
to public pressure regarding internal structural
and doctrinal reforms. Moreover, abused
members not involved with a particular trial may
begin to reassess their experiences and conclude
that they, too, have been harmed, and they can
see parallels with cases from other groups.
Obtaining justice and appropriate
compensation for victims are ideal goals, but
these goals are only partially served by out-
of-court settlements (especially those with
silencing clauses). Beyond justice and
compensation for victims, however, public
trials and court decisions provide important
educational opportunities for society, and
possibly even serve as motivations for
deterrence, as well. Victims usually feel
vindicated, and they may experience
enormous burdens of guilt, anger, and
frustration lift from their shoulders upon
hearing guilty verdicts against those who
harmed them.
About the Authors
Andrea Willey BA, LLB, completed her
undergraduate studies at the University of
Alberta, where she received an Honours
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She continued
her studies at the University of Alberta to obtain
her law degree in 2011. Currently she practices
law at the firm of Duncan Craig LLP in
Edmonton, Alberta, primarily in the areas of
family law and mortgage enforcement. E-mail:
awilley@dcllp.com (please send all
correspondence regarding this article to
steve.kent@ualberta,ca).
Stephen A. Kent, PhD, Professor of Sociology,
University of Alberta, teaches undergraduate
and graduate courses on the sociology of
religion and the sociology of sectarian groups.
He has published articles in numerous sociology
and religious study journals. His 2001 book,
From Slogans to Mantras: Social Protest and
Religious Conversion in the Late Vietnam War
Era, was selected by Choice: Current Reviews
for Academic Libraries as an Outstanding
Academic Title for 2002. In 2012 he received
The Margaret Thaler Singer Award for
advancing the understanding of coercive
persuasion and undue influence from the
International Cultic Studies Association. E-mail:
steve.kent@ualberta,ca
