The impact of
The secret workings of cults hold a unique fascination in the zeitgeist. Why do people join? How are they run? And why don’t people leave?
High-control environments like cults are an underestimated threat to individuals and families everywhere. While Beyond the Fence is entirely fictional and dramatized, we are dedicated to engaging with this subject matter ethically and realistically in all stages of production, and ultimately contribute positively to the community of cult recovery groups and individuals affected by cults.
To this end, we have partnered with advocacy groups and subject matter experts supporting those affected by cults.
In addition to script consultations during the pre-production stage, Beyond the Fence will engage subject matter consultants as resources for the cast and crew throughout the entire production process. Most visibly, our Executive Producer Ashlen Hilliard MSc is a Cult Intervention Specialist and the founder of People Leave Cults and has enthusiastically partnered with our filmmaking team on this project.
Resources
For survivors of high-control groups or relationships, concerned loved ones, clinicians, and the general public:
Counter
Counter is a non-profit organization dedicated to countering psychological manipulation and coercive control by developing prevention and recovery tools, training specialists, advocating for policy development, fostering universal education, and strengthening individual and community resilience.
Empathy-based training and consulting for religious trauma, corporate culture, and LGBTQIA+ community.
Cheetah House
Cheetah House exists to provide support to those experiencing meditation-related difficulties, to train meditation providers in understanding and treating meditation adverse effects in a person-centered way, and to empower people to make informed decisions about the role of meditation in their lives. In a world in which claims about meditation are often overhyped, Cheetah House also aims to provide a balanced, realistic and informed perspective about the risks associated with meditation through the dissemination of research-based information.
Emergency contacts:
The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe. Call 1-888-373-7888 ( TTY: 711) or Text 233733.
RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. Call 1-800-656-467.
LGBTQIA+ specific:
Alana Faith Chen Foundation
The Alana Faith Chen Foundation provides financial support to LGBTQ+ who are at risk of suicide so that they can receive the mental health treatment and therapy they need on their path to healing. We especially fight for LGBTQ+ who have suffered from conversion “therapy”, religious abuse, shame by their church, community, or another institution.
The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people. Call (866) 488-7386.
Ashlen HIlliard with People Leave Cults, LLC provides this list for informational purposes only. The listings below cover a broad range of resources for those who have experienced cults, adverse religious experiences, spiritual abuse, religious trauma, and coercive control. This list is not exhaustive and may evolve over time. The listings below are not specific endorsements or recommendations of individuals, organizations, or services. If you are in need of emergency resources, please see our emergency resource section below. If you are seeking immediate help for yourself or a loved one who you feel is in danger of hurting self or others, please contact 911 (or equivalent emergency service in your country) or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Finally, it is important to note that many former members of coercive groups and relationships have had unhealthy experiences with therapists, counselors, or coaches in the past. The damage that was done may perpetuate a fear of pursuing future counseling or leave one wondering who would be safe to talk to. Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, MSEd has put together a“guide to help you understand what might have gone wrong and how to keep yourself safer in the future when you pursue counseling.” I highly recommend this free guide which provides tips on how to keep yourself safe in the future.