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This book was first published in a print edition by Penguin Books Australia Ltd 1994 Louise Samways is a Melbourne Psychologist who is a recognised expert in the fields of psychological healing and health. Following the publication of her last book, Your Mindbody Energy, in which she gave a brief outline of how cults manipulated people by misusing psychological techniques, she was contacted by many victims of psychological abuse and their families. The evident need for more widespread information about how abusive organisations manage to recruit people, and how to escape from their influence, led her to write this book.

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Narelle 15 and her brother Stephen 12 were born and raised in a fundamentalist

Christian religious sect. On 23rd November 1994, the day before they were to attend a four day religious convention, they rode their bikes to a favourite place in the beautiful Australian bush near their home, sat together in the sun to share a picnic of their favourite foods while they compiled a letter:

"Considered running away but we would be caught and brought back." " Please listen to us. Dont force kids into brainwashing ......" "Please dont force this sort of thing on the children ......" "...... think about the children ......" Narelle and Stephen then each placed the end of their fathers rifle into their mouth

and shot themselves. This electronic edition of Dangerous Persuaders i s particularly dedicated to them,

and to all those other children whose plight in similar circumstances continues to be misunderstood and ignored.

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Afterword 1 Preface 8 Acknowledgements 9 Introduction 10 ONE The Techniques Groups Use 12 TWO Groups That Can Harm 18 Cults 19 Personal Development Courses 30 Individuals 33 Multi-level Marketing 37 Fundamentalists 39 Terrorist Organisations 42 THREE How Beliefs are Manipulated 44 Recruitment 47 Commitment 48 Guilt 49 Changing Level of Arousal 50 Use of Language and Body Cues 56 Dependency 58 Confessionals and Secrets 59 Distraction 59 Rituals 60 Rejection 60

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FOUR Who is Vulnerable? 61 FIVE Case Histories 64 SIX Protecting Yourself 69 Accountability 69 Appropriateness of Qualifications 71 Informed Consent 72 Questions to Ask 73 Consulting Health Professionals 74 SEVEN Getting Help 75 Local Resources 75 CIFS and ICSA 75 Health Professionals 77 EIGHT Whom Can You Complain To? 78 NINE Conclusion 80 Helpful Organisations 81

Contents1. Techniques Groups Use2. Groups That Can Harm3. How Beliefs are Manipulated4. Who is Vulnerable?5. Case Histories6. Protecting Yourself7. Getting Help8. Whom Can You Complain To?9. Conclusion