18 ICSA TODAY
Coercive Control and
Cults: An Overview
ICSA president Steve
Eichel notes, “Think cults
are a thing of the hippy
dippy past? Think again.
They affect almost every
community in our country
and across the globe.”
Thank You for Joining Us
“We hope this day will be motivating, thought-provoking and
enlightening,” said the event host, cult expert Debby Schriver.
“The variety of experience and perspective you all bring will
provide an opportunity to consider theme topics through
different lenses. I believe our day will bring us new insight and
an even greater commitment to serving survivors of coercive
abuse and building healthy communities.”
“I Would Never Join
a Cult! How Could
Anyone?”
During lunch, the
conference offered
Table Talks, focusing
conversation on a topic
moderated by speakers
or a special guest.
The Coercive Control, Cults and Community conference,
sponsored by the International Cultic Studies Association and
the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Social Work, was
held on February 22, 2020, at the Tennessee State Museum in
Nashville. The conference brought together scholars, educators,
mental health professionals, and survivors for a day-long
exploration into the nature of coercive control.
In the words of the event’s host, cult expert Debby Schriver, “This
is the first time the International Cultic Studies Association and
The University of Tennessee College of Social Work have come
together to offer an educational program for the community.
While concerns about the well-being of our children, families
and communities perhaps have never been greater, education
is the first step toward eliminating coercive abuse in our own
neighborhoods.” Stage 5: Escaping
Exploitation
Dylesia Barner,
LCSW, and a second-
generation-adult
cult survivor, gives a
personal account of
her experience.
Coercive Control, Cults,
and Community
Coercive Control and
Cults: An Overview
ICSA president Steve
Eichel notes, “Think cults
are a thing of the hippy
dippy past? Think again.
They affect almost every
community in our country
and across the globe.”
Thank You for Joining Us
“We hope this day will be motivating, thought-provoking and
enlightening,” said the event host, cult expert Debby Schriver.
“The variety of experience and perspective you all bring will
provide an opportunity to consider theme topics through
different lenses. I believe our day will bring us new insight and
an even greater commitment to serving survivors of coercive
abuse and building healthy communities.”
“I Would Never Join
a Cult! How Could
Anyone?”
During lunch, the
conference offered
Table Talks, focusing
conversation on a topic
moderated by speakers
or a special guest.
The Coercive Control, Cults and Community conference,
sponsored by the International Cultic Studies Association and
the University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Social Work, was
held on February 22, 2020, at the Tennessee State Museum in
Nashville. The conference brought together scholars, educators,
mental health professionals, and survivors for a day-long
exploration into the nature of coercive control.
In the words of the event’s host, cult expert Debby Schriver, “This
is the first time the International Cultic Studies Association and
The University of Tennessee College of Social Work have come
together to offer an educational program for the community.
While concerns about the well-being of our children, families
and communities perhaps have never been greater, education
is the first step toward eliminating coercive abuse in our own
neighborhoods.” Stage 5: Escaping
Exploitation
Dylesia Barner,
LCSW, and a second-
generation-adult
cult survivor, gives a
personal account of
her experience.
Coercive Control, Cults,
and Community
