I RESCUE AUSSIES FROM CULTS

Raphael helps people break free from coercive religious groups

- Emma Levett

After more than five decades of extracting hundreds of people from cults, Raphael Aron says the situation is only getting worse and more Australians than ever are being brainwashed.

"I get at least one call a week from a family wanting help with an intervention. It's a significant and frightening increase," says cult expert Raphael, 70.

UNSUSPECTING VICTIMS

He explains it's all the result of the pandemic, which caused people to feel troubled and insecure and easily recruited.

"Cults provided a false sense of security," says Raphael, director of Cult Consulting Australia. "People were more vulnerable and less likely to have access to a social network that provides a normal sense of perspective."