Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1997, page 8
From these data, it becomes apparent that the sexual exploitation of women in cults of all
types is widespread, and, to date, is possibly the least talked about, and certainly the least
researched, aspect of cult life. There is, in my opinion, a twofold reason for the prevalence
of sexual misdeeds in cults.
First, those who wish to dominate others discover that their power increases as their areas
of influence over the other person become more intimate and personal. Therefore,
controlling someone‟s sexuality or sex life is an effective method of all-inclusive
manipulation and control. Once sexual control is in place, no part of life is left untouched by
the cult leader‟s influence. The satisfaction of the leader‟s desires (be they real or conjured
up for the purposes of sheer display of power) becomes an expression of the cult member‟s
faith --her cross to bear, so to speak.
Second, many cult leaders fit the profile of the psychopath.3 Psychologist Robert Hare, a
specialist in the study of this particular personality disorder, estimates that there are at
least two million psychopaths in North America. He wrote:
Psychopaths are social predators who charm, manipulate, and ruthlessly plow their
way through life, leaving a broad trail of broken hearts, shattered expectations,
and empty wallets. Completely lacking in conscience and in feelings for others,
they selfishly take what they want and do as they please, violating social norms
and expectations without the slightest sense of guilt or regret. (Hare, 1993, p. xi)
Certainly not all psychopaths become cult leaders, nor are all cult leaders necessarily
psychopaths. Yet, when studied, the backgrounds, personalities, and behaviors of many of
those who have led and lead cults fit quite nicely into the framework for this particular
character disorder. Several of the psychopath‟s characteristic traits lend themselves to acts
of sexual exploitation and abuse of others. Those are (1) need for stimulation, (2)
callousness and lack of empathy, (3) poor behavioral controls, (4) promiscuous sexual
behavior and infidelity, (5) glibness and superficial charm, (6) grandiose sense of self, (7)
pathological lying, (8) lack of remorse, shame, or guilt, (9) manipulation and conning, and
(10) incapacity for love.
Sexual acting out of all sorts is frequent among cult leaders and for them, as with
psychopaths, sex is primarily a control and power issue. Such behavior goes hand in hand
with more flagrant forms of irresponsibility. In one cult, for example, multiple sexual
relations were encouraged even while one of the top leaders was known to be HIV positive.
This kind of negligence toward others is not uncommon in the world of cults. Whether
sexual behaviors are kept hidden or are part of the accepted and expected group practices,
the fact remains that because of the power imbalance between leader and followers, sexual
contact is never truly consensual and is likely to have damaging consequences for the
follower.
How Submission Is Obtained: The Cult Rationale
The sexual exploitation in cults takes place on both the group and personal levels.
Sometimes everyone in the group must exhibit certain attitudes and demonstrate certain
behaviors. In other cases, only select female members must conform to particular sexual
mores. Since cults are essentially mirror images of the central leader figure, how this
transpires in each group will depend on the whims, preferences, and predilections of the
man in charge. The following are control strategies that turn up repeatedly in my study of
cults and in reports of former cult members.4
Group Rules
By controlling sex, marriage, and procreation, the cult is better able to control its
membership. Rules of all sorts will be put into place to govern the members‟ daily lives,
From these data, it becomes apparent that the sexual exploitation of women in cults of all
types is widespread, and, to date, is possibly the least talked about, and certainly the least
researched, aspect of cult life. There is, in my opinion, a twofold reason for the prevalence
of sexual misdeeds in cults.
First, those who wish to dominate others discover that their power increases as their areas
of influence over the other person become more intimate and personal. Therefore,
controlling someone‟s sexuality or sex life is an effective method of all-inclusive
manipulation and control. Once sexual control is in place, no part of life is left untouched by
the cult leader‟s influence. The satisfaction of the leader‟s desires (be they real or conjured
up for the purposes of sheer display of power) becomes an expression of the cult member‟s
faith --her cross to bear, so to speak.
Second, many cult leaders fit the profile of the psychopath.3 Psychologist Robert Hare, a
specialist in the study of this particular personality disorder, estimates that there are at
least two million psychopaths in North America. He wrote:
Psychopaths are social predators who charm, manipulate, and ruthlessly plow their
way through life, leaving a broad trail of broken hearts, shattered expectations,
and empty wallets. Completely lacking in conscience and in feelings for others,
they selfishly take what they want and do as they please, violating social norms
and expectations without the slightest sense of guilt or regret. (Hare, 1993, p. xi)
Certainly not all psychopaths become cult leaders, nor are all cult leaders necessarily
psychopaths. Yet, when studied, the backgrounds, personalities, and behaviors of many of
those who have led and lead cults fit quite nicely into the framework for this particular
character disorder. Several of the psychopath‟s characteristic traits lend themselves to acts
of sexual exploitation and abuse of others. Those are (1) need for stimulation, (2)
callousness and lack of empathy, (3) poor behavioral controls, (4) promiscuous sexual
behavior and infidelity, (5) glibness and superficial charm, (6) grandiose sense of self, (7)
pathological lying, (8) lack of remorse, shame, or guilt, (9) manipulation and conning, and
(10) incapacity for love.
Sexual acting out of all sorts is frequent among cult leaders and for them, as with
psychopaths, sex is primarily a control and power issue. Such behavior goes hand in hand
with more flagrant forms of irresponsibility. In one cult, for example, multiple sexual
relations were encouraged even while one of the top leaders was known to be HIV positive.
This kind of negligence toward others is not uncommon in the world of cults. Whether
sexual behaviors are kept hidden or are part of the accepted and expected group practices,
the fact remains that because of the power imbalance between leader and followers, sexual
contact is never truly consensual and is likely to have damaging consequences for the
follower.
How Submission Is Obtained: The Cult Rationale
The sexual exploitation in cults takes place on both the group and personal levels.
Sometimes everyone in the group must exhibit certain attitudes and demonstrate certain
behaviors. In other cases, only select female members must conform to particular sexual
mores. Since cults are essentially mirror images of the central leader figure, how this
transpires in each group will depend on the whims, preferences, and predilections of the
man in charge. The following are control strategies that turn up repeatedly in my study of
cults and in reports of former cult members.4
Group Rules
By controlling sex, marriage, and procreation, the cult is better able to control its
membership. Rules of all sorts will be put into place to govern the members‟ daily lives,
