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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,

Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1997, page 9
including their intimate relationships. This can range from standards of free love and free
sex to strict behaviors. Some cults literally instruct their members when and how to have
sexual intercourse.
Oftentimes cult policies will clearly define personal and sexual behaviors. Female members
may be expected to dress a certain way (e.g., wear long skirts and look “womanly”),
behave a certain way (e.g., never look the men in the eye, always look down when in the
presence of others, be passive and joyful at all times), and speak a certain way (e.g., refer
to the leader as “Master”). Other regulations may provide specific guidelines for dating,
cohabitation, marriage and divorce, sexual relations, and so on. Female cult members are
sometimes used to procure recruits through seduction and sexual favors. Some cults force
women into prostitution to help finance the cult leader‟s personal lifestyle. In others, men
regularly flirt with and seduce women into friendships or relationships in order to recruit
them into the cult once in, the woman is usually turned over to someone else to “handle.”
In many cults, leadership decides who should have children and how many. In some,
women are discouraged from bearing children, with sterilization or abortion used as means
of birth control. In others, childbearing is expected and sometimes ordered by leadership in
order to bring about more little cult members. Cults that particularly deride “the family” will
have children taken away from their birth parents to be raised by other cult members, or
sometimes even sent away to noncult relatives or foster homes. Marriages and partnerships
are arranged and broken at the whim of the cult leader. Members merely become pawns in
an abusive play, where the leader gets to act out.
Two popular control mechanisms are the demand for sexual abstinence or celibacy, and the
enforcement of certain prohibitions (for example, against homosexual relationships or other
unsanctioned relationships). At first glance such rules may provide relief from the confusion
of trying to master the intricacies of sexuality and intimate relationships, especially for
young adults who may be struggling with these issues. In reality, however, the rules merely
serve as yet another cultic manipulation.
Given the arbitrary and erratic nature of cult leaders and their reasoning, rules may change
often and unexpectedly. But no matter what the set-up, behaviors and attitudes are
directed from on high and are not to be disputed. The cult leadership justifies these rules by
explaining that the particular lifestyle is necessary to reach the purported goal --whether it
be spiritual awakening, political or social revolution, personal development, or even financial
prosperity.
Ultimately, once someone has been led to accept the cult leader‟s philosophy, then just
about anything goes. He calls the shots, and members are expected to go along with the
program --or get out. Threat of expulsion gets equated with losing a chance at salvation,
and can be too grim a prospect for a person who is psychologically trapped in a cultic
system. Even the risk of losing the camaraderie and emotional support of fellow members
can carry enough weight to keep a person tied to the cult.
Personal Abuse
When the abuse is directed at specific individuals, in most cases, either the cult leader or
the person‟s direct leadership figure is the perpetrator. A variety of manipulations are used
to get women to submit to these advances. These can range from subtle deceptions to
outright rape. In almost every case, they are based on ploys that take advantage of the
woman‟s loyalty, trust, and belief in the leader, the group, and the overall philosophy. More
often than not, members submit out of pure fear. Given the imbalance of power, it is
difficult to say no. Listed here are some of the most commonly used tactics to ensure
submission.