9 VOLUME 11 |ISSUE 2 |2020
Refreezing
Separated from her former life and stripped of any sense of
agency, the victim’s cultic identity takes hold and solidifies
(refreezing Hassan, 1990, p. 67). The past fades, along with her
authentic self and her precult values, plans, and priorities. As
she submits to bondage, alternative lifestyles are eliminated
from consideration and the outside world loses all credibility.
Finally, an initiation ritual may seal the deal, such as a wedding
or other ceremony.
George began to preach an apocalyptic message,
characterizing himself as Messiah—the only hope
for humanity. Our identities changed in tandem. We
were now spiritual Navy SEALs. Our mission was two-
fold: ingest George’s energy to save ourselves and
recruit others. We all sensed the impending spiritual
cataclysm that would “turn any who weren’t prepared
to burnt toast.” There was no time to waste. Resigned
to permanent separation from society, we knew that
every thought in our heads was a lie and part of the
Program, and we worked frantically, 24/7, to rewire
ourselves. (Burchard, 2020)
Stage 3: Coercive Maintenance
As the second stage progresses toward the third, the guru
continues to employ his indoctrination tactics, now in full force.
Although the devotee has assimilated into the totalitarian
system, the possibility that her oppressed soul will seek
freedom is an ever-present threat. To squash potential rebellion
and protect his kingdom, the abuser exercises his mastery
of coercive control in four overlapping domains: behavior,
information, emotion, and thought (BITE Hassan, 2016, p. 33).
Behavior Control
Cultic systems are of necessity impregnated with stringent
rules to maintain order in a narrow range. Nonconforming
behaviors are a threat to equilibrium, particularly if they lead to
self-determination, empowerment, or nurturing. To discourage
these, the perpetrator, as parent and lawmaker, regulates the
victim’s physical reality, including relationships, sex, finances,
employment, and medical treatment, among others.
After a few years, I was assigned a male mate
[Mike], so the Group could study a relationship.
Mike was chronically unemployed, and for eight
years as George’s lab rat, against my will, I paid for
his [Mike’s] food, shelter, and sessions with George,
who would not allow me to end the relationship. He
said, “You’re paying for your education to work out
your weaknesses with men.” During that time, the
relationship between me and my mother devolved
into sibling rivalry as we competed for elevated
roles such as A+ student, best recruiter, or George’s
mistress. Craving his approval, we consulted George
about everything: employment, finances, and holiday
invitations from non-believing family members.
Much of the Crazy World was forbidden, especially
doctors. (Burchard, 2020)
Information Control
Input from any source (e.g., public media, outsiders) that
contradicts the doctrine is particularly troublesome to the
abuser. His double standards and injustices must be guarded
against exposure. To maintain saturation with his personal
branding, he may block contradictory information by limiting
or forbidding computer, telephone, and television use,
along with reading material. Intrafamilial communication
is controlled, including blacklisted topics related to his
exploitation and abuse. Finally, to gain social support, he
presents an inoffensive and benevolent front to outsiders. Only
familiar with Dr. Jekyll, who would believe claims levied against
Mr. Hyde? The victim is on her own.
Thought Control
The perpetrator contrives and reinforces rationalizations to
justify the status quo. These justifications are ingested by
the abused and serve as thought- and emotion-stopping
techniques to thwart thoughts and feelings of discontent
and rebellion. Doubts and questions challenging the abuser’s
authority are handily quashed, and with violence as necessary.
Finally, he maintains instability by changing the rules at
whim the abused walks on eggshells in a state of relentless
anticipatory anxiety.
Emotion Control
Within the totalistic system, the victim languishes in an
emotional straitjacket. She is specially chosen, so happiness is
the only logical and acceptable feeling to have and to express.
Normal human responses to injustice and mistreatment (e.g.,
anger, drive to retaliate, sense of violation, horror) must be
suppressed. The victim is further crippled by chronic tension
in a fear-laden environment: fear of punishment, fear of
failure, and fear of expulsion. Cult devotees and victims of
intimate partners alike commonly suffer from Battered Woman
Syndrome: They are in a constant state of fear, including for
their safety they hide, deny, or justify the abuse they believe
in the abuser’s omnipotence (Walker, 1979).
Employing coercive tactics
cloaked beneath half-truths
and distractions, the abuser
works diligently to assimilate
the victim into his distorted,
alternate reality.
Refreezing
Separated from her former life and stripped of any sense of
agency, the victim’s cultic identity takes hold and solidifies
(refreezing Hassan, 1990, p. 67). The past fades, along with her
authentic self and her precult values, plans, and priorities. As
she submits to bondage, alternative lifestyles are eliminated
from consideration and the outside world loses all credibility.
Finally, an initiation ritual may seal the deal, such as a wedding
or other ceremony.
George began to preach an apocalyptic message,
characterizing himself as Messiah—the only hope
for humanity. Our identities changed in tandem. We
were now spiritual Navy SEALs. Our mission was two-
fold: ingest George’s energy to save ourselves and
recruit others. We all sensed the impending spiritual
cataclysm that would “turn any who weren’t prepared
to burnt toast.” There was no time to waste. Resigned
to permanent separation from society, we knew that
every thought in our heads was a lie and part of the
Program, and we worked frantically, 24/7, to rewire
ourselves. (Burchard, 2020)
Stage 3: Coercive Maintenance
As the second stage progresses toward the third, the guru
continues to employ his indoctrination tactics, now in full force.
Although the devotee has assimilated into the totalitarian
system, the possibility that her oppressed soul will seek
freedom is an ever-present threat. To squash potential rebellion
and protect his kingdom, the abuser exercises his mastery
of coercive control in four overlapping domains: behavior,
information, emotion, and thought (BITE Hassan, 2016, p. 33).
Behavior Control
Cultic systems are of necessity impregnated with stringent
rules to maintain order in a narrow range. Nonconforming
behaviors are a threat to equilibrium, particularly if they lead to
self-determination, empowerment, or nurturing. To discourage
these, the perpetrator, as parent and lawmaker, regulates the
victim’s physical reality, including relationships, sex, finances,
employment, and medical treatment, among others.
After a few years, I was assigned a male mate
[Mike], so the Group could study a relationship.
Mike was chronically unemployed, and for eight
years as George’s lab rat, against my will, I paid for
his [Mike’s] food, shelter, and sessions with George,
who would not allow me to end the relationship. He
said, “You’re paying for your education to work out
your weaknesses with men.” During that time, the
relationship between me and my mother devolved
into sibling rivalry as we competed for elevated
roles such as A+ student, best recruiter, or George’s
mistress. Craving his approval, we consulted George
about everything: employment, finances, and holiday
invitations from non-believing family members.
Much of the Crazy World was forbidden, especially
doctors. (Burchard, 2020)
Information Control
Input from any source (e.g., public media, outsiders) that
contradicts the doctrine is particularly troublesome to the
abuser. His double standards and injustices must be guarded
against exposure. To maintain saturation with his personal
branding, he may block contradictory information by limiting
or forbidding computer, telephone, and television use,
along with reading material. Intrafamilial communication
is controlled, including blacklisted topics related to his
exploitation and abuse. Finally, to gain social support, he
presents an inoffensive and benevolent front to outsiders. Only
familiar with Dr. Jekyll, who would believe claims levied against
Mr. Hyde? The victim is on her own.
Thought Control
The perpetrator contrives and reinforces rationalizations to
justify the status quo. These justifications are ingested by
the abused and serve as thought- and emotion-stopping
techniques to thwart thoughts and feelings of discontent
and rebellion. Doubts and questions challenging the abuser’s
authority are handily quashed, and with violence as necessary.
Finally, he maintains instability by changing the rules at
whim the abused walks on eggshells in a state of relentless
anticipatory anxiety.
Emotion Control
Within the totalistic system, the victim languishes in an
emotional straitjacket. She is specially chosen, so happiness is
the only logical and acceptable feeling to have and to express.
Normal human responses to injustice and mistreatment (e.g.,
anger, drive to retaliate, sense of violation, horror) must be
suppressed. The victim is further crippled by chronic tension
in a fear-laden environment: fear of punishment, fear of
failure, and fear of expulsion. Cult devotees and victims of
intimate partners alike commonly suffer from Battered Woman
Syndrome: They are in a constant state of fear, including for
their safety they hide, deny, or justify the abuse they believe
in the abuser’s omnipotence (Walker, 1979).
Employing coercive tactics
cloaked beneath half-truths
and distractions, the abuser
works diligently to assimilate
the victim into his distorted,
alternate reality.
