<p>Maria Esguerra escaped the <a href="https://sites.google.com/d/1NsQplZnDzUt5VcCSec6a4KWMANZaOpmn/p/1tEkywGlf810iSLoftABT5ikVUbg4xZe9/edit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Children of God</a> at the age of 22 with her two children who have disabilities. Maria’s firsthand experience drives her passion to support fellow survivors of cults and institutions, advocating for specialised understanding, interventions and access to governmental schemes such as Redress. Maria has actively engaged in media and advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people escaping coercive environments. She founded a support group for second and multi-generational survivors (also referred to as SGAs or MGAs) from all cults. It addresses the devastating impacts from these groups, including abuse, denial of basic rights and forced labour. Maria is also a psychologist and the founder of <a href="https://www.assessable.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Assessable</a>.</p><br><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a href="https://linktr.ee/Mariaesguerra" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maria Esguerra</a> — Linktree</li><li><a href="https://www.assessable.com.au/team/maria-esguerra" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maria Esguerra</a> — Director at Assessable</li><li><a href="https://decult.net/speakers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Decult profile</a> — Maria's information at the recent Decult Conference</li><li><a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/17/i-lived-under-the-so-called-law-of-love-and-it-was-terrifying-cult-survivor/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa_4v7DVL37I5fzZjtlffafhd3n_H-Ft0wMsLwV1nsfmlhEPUpvth2zTPI_aem_AKbDyVF0A4ONJN_YoMCs3Q" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">I lived under the so-called 'law of love' and it was terrifying – cult survivor</a> — by Ryan Boswell, 1News, 17 October 2024</li><li><a href="https://www.cifs.org.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CIFS Australia</a> — Cult Information & Family Support</li><li><a href="https://au.oliveleaf.network/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Olive Leaf Network</a></li><li><a href="https://janjalalich.com/blog/escaping-utopia/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Escaping Utopia</a> — by Janja Lalich & Karla McLaren, Routledge, 2017</li><li><a href="https://www.attachmentproject.com/attachment-theory/mary-ainsworth/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Strange Situation Experiment</a> — more about Mary Ainsworth's work on attachment theory</li><li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erikson%27s_stages_of_psychosocial_development" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Erikson's stages of psychosocial development</a> — more about Erik Erikson's work</li><li><a href="https://g.co/kgs/vBsQb8f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Make it Meaningful: How to find purpose in life and work</a> — by Debbie Haski-Leventhal, Simon & Schuster, 2023</li><li><a href="https://g.co/kgs/ccenWyR" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Walking Free from the Trauma of Coercive, Cultic and Spiritual Abuse: A Workbook for Recovery and Growth</a> — by Gillie Jenkinson, Routledge, 2023</li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1265536041331385" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stop Religious Coercion Australia</a> — Advocacy group started by a former Geelong Revival Centre member</li><li><a href="https://www.gerettebuglion.com/services" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Writing to Reckon</a> — Gerette Buglion's workshops, retreats, journal, and more</li></ul><p><br></p><p>You can support us on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=7859667" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patreon</a>. Sarah Steel's book <em>Do As I Say</em> is <a href="https://bit.ly/3dEBQuF" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available on audiobook</a>.</p> <p>Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects">https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects</a>.</p>
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