Beyond Belief: Understanding Cult Dynamics

Join the Hikitia! Team for Beyond Belief: Understanding Cult Dynamics, a powerful and timely event exploring cult and high‑control group dynamics, coercive control, and the hidden harms impacting children and whānau.

Grounded in our kaupapa of preventing family violence, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse, this one‑day gathering is designed to support those working in the support sector and allied fields. It offers a rare opportunity to learn from leading researchers, practitioners, and people with lived experience about the significant risks posed by cults and high‑control groups – including manipulation, isolation, coercive control, abuse, and long‑term harm.

This event is designed to help practitioners:

• Deepen their understanding of cult and high‑control group dynamics
• Strengthen their confidence in responding to coercive control and trauma
• Reflect on practice in ways that are informed, ethical, and grounded in prevention
• Build practical strategies for safeguarding children and supporting whānau

This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from internationally recognised experts, Aotearoa‑based practitioners, and people with lived experience – bringing together research, investigative journalism, frontline safeguarding expertise, and survivor perspectives in one space.

Presenters will share their work and insights, create space for discussion, and respond to questions gathered during registration and throughout the event.

Registration

To register your interest, email [email protected] with “Beyond Belief registration” in the subject line.