ICSA TODAY 8 6
On August 2, 2014, ICSA posted a survey that collected data on
how former members of high-control or cultic groups, family
members, and others may have had their exercise of free speech
curtailed or suppressed.
Although the primary goal of the survey was to find out about
lawsuits designed to suppress criticism, ICSA was also interested
in exploring other ways in which individuals may have at least
perceived their free speech to have been curtailed.
An email to 3,580 people on ICSA’s mailing list invited recipients to
complete a “free speech survey.” Between August 2nd and August
22nd, 2014, 109 persons completed the survey. A large majority
(nearly 80%) were former members of cultic groups.
Given that only a relatively small percentage of people in ICSA’s
network are activists (e.g., running websites, speaking out about
groups), our sample may be reasonably representative of the
activist subpopulation within the ICSA network, though we cannot
be sure. In any event, the number of people who responded and
the speed of their responses suggest that the topic of free speech
concerns many persons within the ICSA network.
After collecting demographic data, the survey asked 13 forced-
choice questions, the responses to which are listed in the next
section.
Forced-Choice Questions
• Have you been sued because of your exercise of free speech?
Yes =14
No =95
• If you have been sued, do you have legal documents you are
willing and able to share with others?
Yes =11
• Have you received communications with an implied threat of
a lawsuit?
Yes =29
No =77
Blank =3
• Have you received legal communications protesting your
critical comments but not threatening to sue?
Yes =24
No =84
Blank =1
• Have you received face-to-face threats or intimidation
because of your criticism?
Yes =56
No =52
Blank =1
• Have you received one or more intimidating phone calls
because of your criticism?
Yes =51
No =57
Blank =1
• Has your website been hacked?
Yes =14
Not sure =24
No =72
• Have people attempted to shut down your website?
Yes =15
Not sure =16
No =74
Blank =5
• Has your credibility or character been attacked because of
your criticism?
Yes =87
No =21
Blank =1
• To what degree have your efforts to educate others been
inhibited because of threats or harassment you received?
Stopped =8
Significantly reduced =18
Reduced educational efforts =24
• With regard to involvement in a high-control or cultic group,
please mark all that apply
Former Members (includes SGAs) =86
Family =50
Marked family only =10
Former members with family in group =40
Blank =15
• Would you like education or training on the legal dimensions
of exercising free speech?
Yes =42
No =22
Maybe =31
Blank =16
• Would you like a report on the results of this survey?
Yes =96
No =12
Blank =0
Suppression of Free Speech:
Report on a Survey
By Michael D. Langone
On August 2, 2014, ICSA posted a survey that collected data on
how former members of high-control or cultic groups, family
members, and others may have had their exercise of free speech
curtailed or suppressed.
Although the primary goal of the survey was to find out about
lawsuits designed to suppress criticism, ICSA was also interested
in exploring other ways in which individuals may have at least
perceived their free speech to have been curtailed.
An email to 3,580 people on ICSA’s mailing list invited recipients to
complete a “free speech survey.” Between August 2nd and August
22nd, 2014, 109 persons completed the survey. A large majority
(nearly 80%) were former members of cultic groups.
Given that only a relatively small percentage of people in ICSA’s
network are activists (e.g., running websites, speaking out about
groups), our sample may be reasonably representative of the
activist subpopulation within the ICSA network, though we cannot
be sure. In any event, the number of people who responded and
the speed of their responses suggest that the topic of free speech
concerns many persons within the ICSA network.
After collecting demographic data, the survey asked 13 forced-
choice questions, the responses to which are listed in the next
section.
Forced-Choice Questions
• Have you been sued because of your exercise of free speech?
Yes =14
No =95
• If you have been sued, do you have legal documents you are
willing and able to share with others?
Yes =11
• Have you received communications with an implied threat of
a lawsuit?
Yes =29
No =77
Blank =3
• Have you received legal communications protesting your
critical comments but not threatening to sue?
Yes =24
No =84
Blank =1
• Have you received face-to-face threats or intimidation
because of your criticism?
Yes =56
No =52
Blank =1
• Have you received one or more intimidating phone calls
because of your criticism?
Yes =51
No =57
Blank =1
• Has your website been hacked?
Yes =14
Not sure =24
No =72
• Have people attempted to shut down your website?
Yes =15
Not sure =16
No =74
Blank =5
• Has your credibility or character been attacked because of
your criticism?
Yes =87
No =21
Blank =1
• To what degree have your efforts to educate others been
inhibited because of threats or harassment you received?
Stopped =8
Significantly reduced =18
Reduced educational efforts =24
• With regard to involvement in a high-control or cultic group,
please mark all that apply
Former Members (includes SGAs) =86
Family =50
Marked family only =10
Former members with family in group =40
Blank =15
• Would you like education or training on the legal dimensions
of exercising free speech?
Yes =42
No =22
Maybe =31
Blank =16
• Would you like a report on the results of this survey?
Yes =96
No =12
Blank =0
Suppression of Free Speech:
Report on a Survey
By Michael D. Langone
