Professionals

Warning Signs

Some survivors or coercive abuse don't realize they were involved in a destructive organization or relationship. And many who have been emotionally damaged in these types of situations are unaware that their struggles are related to their experience. Below are some tips to help you spot a client who is suffering as a result of coercive abuse.

Severe guilt. Even after they intellectually break from the group or relationship, victims of abuse can suffer from debilitating guilt due to extreme emotional attachment to the group.
Abuse "hopping". The person goes from one abusive group to another or from one batterer to another.
Inability to stay away from the abusive group or individual. (The battered women's syndrome.)
Vacillation between speaking very negatively and very positively about the abusive group or individual.
Family problems that were not present prior to the individual's involvement with the abuser
Irrational sense that society is "out to get them." This may result from the cult's tendency to foster an "us vs. them" mentality.
Inability to think for himself or herself. Victims of exploitation are often deprecated to the point that they believe themselves to be incapable of sound decision-making.
Loss of a sense of purpose and zest for living which set in after involvement with the group or abuser
Extreme fear of the supernatural.
Fear of facing the future without God. Cult victims are often taught that to leave the group is to leave God.