SOCCHG is a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of survivors and individuals with lived experience in anti-cult advocacy, law reform, research, and resource allocation. Our mission is to empower survivors and ensure their stories are at the forefront of our work.
What We Do
Advancing knowledge and awareness for complex cult issues
Advocacating for meaningful change to prevent harm and protect survivors
Survivor stories and media guides for public awareness campaigns
Access helpful books, podcasts, information, and support for survivors
Keep up to date with the latest
Escape and Survivor Resources
“I continue to be harassed by these people. I was only in the cult for about three years but have been harassed by them for more than 20 years. I've almost given up on the idea of having a normal, happy life.”
“I am now on a disability support pension due to severe cPTSD caused by the impacts of the cult.”
“It’s been five and a half years since my son left. I’ve seen him twice. My husband, once. We know he is homeless, eats out of bins, works long hours as a slave to the leader with little or no pay. He is mentally abused. He is autistic and brainwashed.”
Beyond Belief
The Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Cults and Organised Fringe groups has given us an opportunity to create meaningful, survivor-led change. It is our pleasure to present the group submission created in conjunction with survivor groups.
“Beyond Belief” is belief-neutral, behaviour-focused, survivor-led and trauma-informed. Check out our posts for what’s next, or click on the image to view the final report.
With a working group, 64 individual respondents, collaboration from the wonderful Dr Janja Lalich, and 935 individuals endorsing this piece, we know that this is the beginning of meaningful change.
Thanks for being part of it.
Our Team
Laura McConnell
Co-Founder / Treasurer
A Truth 2×2 Cult survivor, Laura has spent 26 years in the anti-cult advocacy space, working with media, politicians, and frontline organisations to advance support for cult survivors and raise awareness for complex issues and patterns of abuse in coercive cults or high-control groups. Laura runs the “Truth 2×2 Cult Kids” podcast, and is a passionate supporter of intersectional feminism and women-led organisations.
Clare Heath-McIvor
Co-Founder / President
Clare is the estranged daughter of fundamentalist pastors in a now-infamous high-control sect. She escaped the highly political, dominionist group and later became a national media whistleblower. With a history in strategic communications, community services capicity building, and youth policy, her passion now lies in research and law reform. She also runs the “Unchurchable” podcast and the “Evangelical Explainer” Substack, and works with changemakers to achieve systemic, survivor-led improvements.
Renee Spencer
Co-Founder / Vice-President
As the estranged parent of a “Jesus Christians” cult member, Renee Spencer’s passion for anti-cult work comes from deeply personal experience. She also has firsthand experience with the coercive tactics used by MLMs, New Age spirituality, and movements like QAnon. With a background in teaching, psychology, and mental health, she blends lived experience with academic insight. Renee is the creator of a coercive-behaviours matrix that helps people identify risk and avoid harm.
Affiliates
Australian Cult Survivors Network
Peer Support for Survivors and Families
Loss of community is a significant wound for cult-leavers. Similarly, many of us feel that our stories can easily become fetishised infotainment for those who do not share our experiences. The Australian Cult Survivors Network is the community arm of SOCCHG – providing a place where cult survivors and their families can connect, share stories, and feel seen by people who understand where they are coming from. Find us here
Religious Trauma and Cults
Mental Health Support and Practitioner Training
Religious Trauma & Cults (RTC) is an Australian-based organisation, co-directed by Sam Sellers and Elise Heerde, working to close the gap in support and training for those impacted by cults and high-control groups - whether religious or not. We support survivors in making sense of their experiences while building practitioners' capacity to respond with knowledge, skill, and care.
Stop Religious Coercion Australia
Anti-Cult Advocacy Network
Founded by Ryan and Catherine Carey, survivors of the Geelong Revival Centre Cult, Stop Religous Coercion Australia focuses on the religous iterations of cults, and aims to raise awareness for group-based coercive control and cultic behaviours. Their aim is to make worship free and safe, and to buildi safety mechanisms that can protect people from harm as well as hold cult leaders accountable.