Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 229
Coercive Therapy
Bill to Outlaw ―Coercive‖ Therapy
A bill to outlaw the controversial ―coercive therapy‖ has passed the Utah House of
Representatives by a vote of 68–2 and awaits action by the Senate, where a similar bill died
last year. The bill would prohibit therapists from restraining a patient for any reason other
than to provide safety. The bill, supported by Primary Children‘s Hospital, the Parent-
Teachers Association, the Utah Counselors Association, and the Utah Chapter of the
American Psychological Association, is a response to the deaths of several children while
undergoing ―rebirthing‖ and ―compression holding‖ therapies.
A less restrictive, competing bill that called only for the prohibition of specific techniques
was defeated. It was backed by Adoptive Families for Children at Risk Emotionally
(SAFECARE), which argues that adopted children with ―reactive attachment disorder‖ are
best treated using certain restraint therapies. (Jacob Santini, Salt Lake Tribune, Internet,
1/31/03)
Earth Liberation Front
Eco-Terrorist Sentenced
Environmental activist Jacob Sherman, who has been linked to the Earth Liberation Front,
was sentenced in Portland, OR, in February to three years in prison after pleading guilty to
firebombing logging trucks and equipment at two Oregon companies in 2001. It is alleged
that fellow protestor, and still fugitive in the case, Michael Scarpatti, also known as Tre
Arrow, ―groomed‖ the now-repentant Sherman to be a radical protester. While a student at
Portland State University, Sherman imitated Arrow, a former congressional candidate, when
Arrow stopped bathing or wearing shoes and went on a strict vegetarian diet. (AP in
KPTV.com, Internet, 2/20/03)
Exclusive Brethren
Shunning Detailed
Christine and Andrew Wallach have recently told the story of their treatment by the
Exclusive Brethren, in Yorkshire, England, following their ―shunning‖ by the ―secretive‖
Christian sect that dresses simply, lives without many modern amenities, such as radio and
TV, and does its own schooling. It is a 15,000 strong offshoot of the Plymouth Brethren.
They believe that their salvation depends on being members of the group, and the sect‘s
ideology constantly reminds them of this.
The Wallach‘s shunning began when their two teenage sons came home drunk one night in
1994. The Wallachs were then ―shut up‖—ostracized by the community and denied contact
with their two eldest daughters and their grandchildren. Their three unmarried daughters
had to stay with friends and relations, and none was allowed to talk to their parents or
brothers. ―When we saw them on the streets, they blanked us like ghosts. One daughter
was banned from meetings because she had to pass our house to get there, and they
suspected she‘d wave at us across the road.‖
When Christine‘s mother died, ―They just called me at the last minute, saying, ‗If you hurry
...you might be able to say goodbye to her.‘ I didn‘t even know she was ill.‖ In 1974,
when Andrew was judged by the elders to be too ―ambitious,‖ the couple was shut up in
their home for months and had to sleep in separate rooms. When their sons‘ appeals to the
elders for forgiveness were rejected, one had a breakdown. Lonely and miserable, he made
friends with ―worldly‖ people, became a heroin addict, and was in prison twice. When the
couple asked the elders for assistance, they were told to disown their sons. Andrew lost his
Coercive Therapy
Bill to Outlaw ―Coercive‖ Therapy
A bill to outlaw the controversial ―coercive therapy‖ has passed the Utah House of
Representatives by a vote of 68–2 and awaits action by the Senate, where a similar bill died
last year. The bill would prohibit therapists from restraining a patient for any reason other
than to provide safety. The bill, supported by Primary Children‘s Hospital, the Parent-
Teachers Association, the Utah Counselors Association, and the Utah Chapter of the
American Psychological Association, is a response to the deaths of several children while
undergoing ―rebirthing‖ and ―compression holding‖ therapies.
A less restrictive, competing bill that called only for the prohibition of specific techniques
was defeated. It was backed by Adoptive Families for Children at Risk Emotionally
(SAFECARE), which argues that adopted children with ―reactive attachment disorder‖ are
best treated using certain restraint therapies. (Jacob Santini, Salt Lake Tribune, Internet,
1/31/03)
Earth Liberation Front
Eco-Terrorist Sentenced
Environmental activist Jacob Sherman, who has been linked to the Earth Liberation Front,
was sentenced in Portland, OR, in February to three years in prison after pleading guilty to
firebombing logging trucks and equipment at two Oregon companies in 2001. It is alleged
that fellow protestor, and still fugitive in the case, Michael Scarpatti, also known as Tre
Arrow, ―groomed‖ the now-repentant Sherman to be a radical protester. While a student at
Portland State University, Sherman imitated Arrow, a former congressional candidate, when
Arrow stopped bathing or wearing shoes and went on a strict vegetarian diet. (AP in
KPTV.com, Internet, 2/20/03)
Exclusive Brethren
Shunning Detailed
Christine and Andrew Wallach have recently told the story of their treatment by the
Exclusive Brethren, in Yorkshire, England, following their ―shunning‖ by the ―secretive‖
Christian sect that dresses simply, lives without many modern amenities, such as radio and
TV, and does its own schooling. It is a 15,000 strong offshoot of the Plymouth Brethren.
They believe that their salvation depends on being members of the group, and the sect‘s
ideology constantly reminds them of this.
The Wallach‘s shunning began when their two teenage sons came home drunk one night in
1994. The Wallachs were then ―shut up‖—ostracized by the community and denied contact
with their two eldest daughters and their grandchildren. Their three unmarried daughters
had to stay with friends and relations, and none was allowed to talk to their parents or
brothers. ―When we saw them on the streets, they blanked us like ghosts. One daughter
was banned from meetings because she had to pass our house to get there, and they
suspected she‘d wave at us across the road.‖
When Christine‘s mother died, ―They just called me at the last minute, saying, ‗If you hurry
...you might be able to say goodbye to her.‘ I didn‘t even know she was ill.‖ In 1974,
when Andrew was judged by the elders to be too ―ambitious,‖ the couple was shut up in
their home for months and had to sleep in separate rooms. When their sons‘ appeals to the
elders for forgiveness were rejected, one had a breakdown. Lonely and miserable, he made
friends with ―worldly‖ people, became a heroin addict, and was in prison twice. When the
couple asked the elders for assistance, they were told to disown their sons. Andrew lost his
