------------------------------------------------------------------- F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. (Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network, Incorporated) a non-profit computer bulletin board and electronic library 601 16th St. #C-217 Golden, Colorado 80401 USA BBS 303 530-1942 FAX 303 530-2950 Office 303 473-0111 This document is part of an electronic lending library and preservational electronic archive. F.A.C.T.Net does not sell documents, it only lends them according to the terms of your library cardholder agreement with F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. ===================================================================== FAIR, and the Council of Europe by Daphne Vane Cults in the United Kingdom and Europe are increasingly active. Although the outward faces of some may have changed, they still offer the ultimate in personal achievement and total solutions to worldly ills, provided, of course, that one gives them total commitment. It seems that mankind has Ònever had it so goodÓ in the land of opportunity for spiritual and therapeutic growth. The world recession and high unemployment exert pressure on individuals to find alternative work and lifestyles for themselves and their families. Socially and politically we are exhorted to Òdo our thing,Ó to take responsibility for our own lives, particularly in health and education. It is an age of Òalternativism,Ó a challenge to logical and rational thinking; for example, some who believe in the use of ÒalternativeÓ treatments do not recognize the need for the clinical studies which are essential to determine the efficacy and safety of new treatments. And the end of communism means that whole new territories are available to groups offering new systems of belief and practice, and round the world millions are now being persuaded to partake in or purchase an alternative spiritual or therapeutic Òexperience.Ó FAIR In the United Kingdom, FAIR [Family Action, Information, and Rescue, the leading British cult education and referral organization] has for sixteen years continued to give information and support to those who call on its services. In 1991, FAIR received 1700 letters and 1200 telephone calls, including 700 new callers. The newly formed and very successful Cult Helpline has received 250 calls. FAIR communications have dealt with 147 different groups. The top three were Scientology, the Unification Church and the Central Church of Christ offshoot of the Boston (U.S.) Church of Christ, in that order. Next in number of calls were the Children of God, JehovahÕs Witnesses, Emin, Sahaja Yoga, Jesus Army, fundamentalist groups, and TM. Among the runners-up: School of Economic Science, Worldwide Church of God, Satanism, and Nichiren Shoshu. (We refer enquiries about Satanism either to the police or to appropriate health professionals.) Financially, FAIR continues to depend on donations from individuals. We have not received a single penny from the British government, nor have we been granted tax-exempt status. In spite of this, our membership, particularly under Lord Rodney, has remained stable and our confidence has increased. And across the U.K., FAIR regional groups provide a strong and effective support network, both individually and collectively. Apart from FAIR, the Family Support Group continues to provide a much needed opportunity for relatives to meet, to be heard, and to hear speakers on relevant cult issues such as health, the law, and ex-members. The work of the Cult Information Centre continues under the direction of Ian Haworth, who provides lectures to schools and other institutions. INFORM, created by the Home Office nearly five years ago as the governmentÕs response to the need for information about new religious movements Ñ and to which public inquiries are directed Ñ addresses in the main the belief aspects of cult-related issues. The government has not, however, addressed the needs of the victims of adverse cult experiences. It is more than a little disappointing that the government has thus virtually ignored the psychological and therapeutic aspects of cult involvement. Those of us in FAIR working directly with affected individuals continue to observe the results of trauma and stress-related disturbances that cult involvement can produce. On order to achieve a greater perspective on the nature of these problems, we are working closely with a number of health professionals to initiate seminars on the issues. In this way, we can better help the victims of totalitarian systems in the future. I hope that the subject of Òtrauma and healthÓ will receive special emphasis at the 1993 congress on cultism in Spain. Council of Europe There were two European political initiatives regarding cults in 1991. In one, the Council of EuropeÕs Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights produced document 6535, in which it sets out recom-mendations concerning the activities of sects and new religious movements. Second, in the European Parliament, the Intergroupe de la famille at des droits de lÕenfant, in its Resolution of 13 December 1991 on the problems of children in the European Community, includes two points providing for the protection of children in sects. These political initiatives are the first since the European ParliamentÕs ÒCottrellÓ resolution on cults in 1984. At least, the subject of cults has now been aired, but until the problems of victims are put firmly on the Human Rights agenda, we can expect little real progress in developing therapeutic support for victims. We in the U.K. are particularly encouraged by the support we have from our colleagues in the European Community. The International Network of support for individuals exists and works. Indeed, as one who received help from FAIR recently wrote: ÒWe are overwhelmed with the kindness and swiftness of action of those of you in this international network who help with these kinds of problems.Ó Lady Vane, co-founder and former Chairman of FAIR, serves on international advisory committees of the American Family Foundation, publisher of the Cult Observer. ================================================================= If this is a copyrighted work, you are acknowledging by receipt of this document from FACTNet that on the basis of reasonable investigation, you have not been to obtain a copy elsewhere at a fair price, and that you are and will abide by the following copyright warning. WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS: The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photo copies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. 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