Resource Series #7: The Liberati
Leaving a cult can be a harrowing experience. When you’ve been cut off from the real world, you may run into lots of logistical and conceptual problems that make the outside harder to navigate. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are counting on your lack of experience with the outside world to send you running back to them.
But you don’t need them in your life. There are lots of great resources out there that can offer you help leaving a cult. Today, we’re going to talk about The Liberati and what they have to offer.
Who Is The Liberati?
The Liberati is a non-profit organization based in NYC that helps survivors of high-control religions to break free. This support includes practical advice and assistance, including education, coaching, and counseling. As the organization grows, they plan to offer financial aid and emergency housing.
Unique amongst other support organizations, The Liberati are a 501c3 organization, meaning that they are the first full-fledged non-profit organization designed to help people leaving high control groups. They were able to attain this status because they solve real problems and help create a safe path to help others escape and land on the outside of abusive cults. This status also means that they must maintain a high level of transparency and accountability, as their financial records are public.
However, that does not mean that the identity of those they help will ever be made public. They know that the people they’re trying to help are highly vulnerable people in challenging, sometimes even dangerous situations– and that means that it’s important that everyone in their network is highly vetted. This vetting process is part of their mission as they expand to create a network of verified local support across the United States.
The Liberati’s vision is to create a global network of human rights activists to help ex-cult members. They have a special focus on vulnerable people, like teens, the LGBTQ+ community, and women in abusive relationships. They also want to provide recourse for people who are PIMO (physically in, mentally out) and who feel trapped within a high-control group like the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
What Does The Liberati Do?
The Liberati is a new, growing organization that is currently developing their support network. Right now, they maintain a list of useful resources, including a list of therapists who specialize in religious trauma. They also host monthly online discussions and in-person outings to build community among XJWs online and in person. Right now, their in-person offerings are limited to NYC– but they are actively expanding and developing their organization.
In addition to their synchronous Zoom discussions and in-person meetings, the group also runs a private Facebook group. Because the group is private, it means that PIMO (physically in, mentally out) folks don’t have to worry about people from the JWs finding it on their social media and using it for surveillance; it is more secure than a public group. This extra level of protection can help keep the organization at bay if you’re PIMO and need additional support. They invite people to email them at theliberatiteam@gmail.com, and they ensure that they will do all they can to protect your privacy.
How Can The Liberati Help Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses?
XJWs are the primary focus demographic for The Liberati’s efforts. One of the major support structures that this group has is monthly discussions and in-person meetups in New York. This helps create a community, which is so important for thriving outside of the organization. Having these community links and attending fun social events creates a sense of belonging and camaraderie among XJWs.
The folks who go to these meetings often share similar experiences and challenges related to leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses organization, and the monthly discussions and meetups provide a safe space for them to express their thoughts, doubts, and emotions freely.
The bonds formed through these gatherings offer not only emotional support but also a platform for sharing valuable insights and strategies for rebuilding their lives and finding hope and meaning outside of the organization. Beyond the serious conversations, the fun social events add an element of joy and normalcy to XJWs' lives, reminding them that they can enjoy life outside the confines of their former beliefs.
Important Links
This is the 7th post in our resource series. You can see some of the others here:
Check out our Resource Series for more information and to see all of these great resources.