English: More Reviews "Sect Child"
and two Parliamentary motion's
[...] Charlotte Essén has written on children in cults for many years, she treats the material with proper respect. The interviews span often over the years, giving perspective, balance and substance. Furthermore, fact departments are high-class, educational, transparent, and with rare depth of understanding, breadth and knowledge. [...]
Gefle Dagblad, 19 March 2009
"Sect children are a highly welcome book on the phenomena in our society who normally only be addressed through the case of an offense, and then media attention dies. [...] The author has its focus on children's situation. The book also contains links to honor cultures and terrorism in an interesting way. She describes interviews with a number of people who tried to help young people get back to normal life. A thoroughly compelling and necessary book that is recommended for everyone and should be used in schools and universities."
Library Service/ BTJ-book, No. 14 2008
In the religion's basement, children are kept emotionally imprisoned by the fundamentalist system, where parents are encouraged to expose their children to a terrifying world that never should be told to childhood. Charlotte Essen shows the sect is totally unsympathetic to what children are and do. She is critical of both the psychiatric care of social services, which she believes does not understand the dilemmas a sect child carries with him in life. Even if he eventually leaves the cult behind him, it may be thus very difficult to set up a new life in mainstream society. Charlotte Essén has written a solid story on a topic that is often forgotten. [...]
Östgöta Correspondenten - Corren 2008-06-19
Sect child is both a reportage of classically cut, where a series of drop-outs may be heard, and a subject of debate where Essén interviewing officials and experts.
Communities in the book differ in ideological basis, the number of supporters and degree of extremism. Some are well known, that Jehovah's Witnesses and Knutby Pentacoastal , while others seem more in the shadows, as the Family and Finland intercessors.
While there are factors that bind them together - the perception of children. Essén is careful to point out that not all children will be damaged by the cult life. Nevertheless, many do, and they are largely ignored by the society outside.
They interviewed defectors have all been subjected to terrifying upbringing, on a scale of threats and manipulation to spanking and sexual exploitation. Collectively, they also have been taught to feel both contempt and fear of the outside world, all of them to stay in the true faith.
Essén strongly criticizes the way schools, social services and politicians deal with sectarian problems. The balance between parents' religion and children's rights, the children often draw the short straw - also in the kid-friendly Sweden.
And those who have left sect life rarely receive the support they need to be rehabilitated. Knowledge of the sects is a limited authority in Sweden, which means that many defectors have no other option than to return to repression.
Sect Child is written with energy and great commitment.
Sydsvenskan 2008-05-12
Charlotte Essén has written a book that arouses emotions, and it is an ambitious book in terms of the structure of cults. It introduces the reader into the personal circumstances that are dramatic and revolutionary. When the author now chooses to build a children's perspective on the events, that is, to see sect's existence and function by the growing child's eyes, it's liberating and necessary. Sect Child is a very ambitious production.[...]
Nerikes Allehanda 2008-06-10
The book is a powerful story about " chosen to Paradise" that is essentially religious sects. The term "cult" is not quite easy to define. A lot has been researched in the field, but who has focused on how children feel, and what they experience in their enclosed environment? What happens the day they want to break away and meet community outside? We know very little, and it is precisely here Essén´s insert blow.
Even so, are there so many sects in Sweden? More than we think. Essén has focused on the case Knutby Pentacoastal, what it's like to grow up in the Jehovah's Witnesses and Hare Krishna, a group calling itself the Finnish intercessors and the Family, where children may face an itinerant life in enclosed public in different countries.
All movements have their own specific characteristics and "specialties", but many features are also common: the final unit in the group who are serving the truth and purity, control of contact with the outside world and often rigorous and controlling approach to sexuality. Money also plays a role. Charlotte Essén has interviewed a number of defectors who have created a new life or struggling to make it.
By interviewees a colorful and terrifying picture emerges, where regardless of the sect often concerns the power of the idea and over time. Days are filled with studies, where it comes to finding the correct answer in the scriptures - not to think about yourself. "Exorcism" appears as an irregular child labor. Obligation to participate in meeting activities can be substantial, in addition to "walk in service" and tap the door and "preach", to sell or distribute publications.
The Jehovah's Witnesses await you Armageddon, the earth's early doom, as indeed in Finland's intercessors. Earth Life is just a preparation, where the "secular" must be overcome, and most of it is a shame - television, cinema, class trips. Given the perverted moral vision, it is perhaps not surprising that the states of a woman bluntly say "today, I think there is a better place for sexual assaults on children than in organizations that Jehovah's Witnesses. A closed society where can hide and a perfect team for a lot of perverted things. Furthermore, it is very common with physical abuse. " Investigative Program has more than one occasion been interested in this.
Children in cults are like other children very loyal to their parents, they quickly learn to "read" people and show off an incredibly well-adjusted attitude. Some people talk, for example, about its ‘dual characters’. But for those born into a sect and later want to leave, that doesn´t last long enough. You stand without everyday common social codes in society and with no affiliation at all because the price is a total break with family and business, where the sense of community has been very strong and close. One's identity does not exist and must be built from the ground, a fate that can be life threatening, and many also are. Rescue can be of other defectors. An expert rehabilitation of the type found, for example, in the U.S., we see no glimpse of in Sweden. Where are the skills? Who can even ask the right questions? Child Psychiatry lacks both knowledge and research money.
There is a huge amount of reportage Essén present and in the latter part of the book does she even international views on further child hostile teachings, children's rights under the UN Convention, research and projects and much more that space does not permit me to enter.
A Swedish study must be mentioned: "I good faith", which was initiated in 1997 and energetically driven for one year. Subsequently, the study collected dust, despite the proposal to proceed with a special focus on the situation of children in closed movements. How many respondents can a government run over? We are backed to square one - after ten years. Today compelled including social services seek information on their own, without any official body that could provide comprehensive information. Essén lists also a number of organizations with great knowledge. Moreover, how do we read the UNCRC in Sweden?
Charlotte Essen's book offers many insights and raises as many questions. It is a mammoth work that she will have any recognition for.
Upsala Nya Tidning 2008-06-27
“It will bend in time, what is going to be crooked”, says the old adage with brutal honesty - it is about to chastise children so that they learn to face the world with his forehead against the earth and the backbone humbly bowed. In Charlotte Essén's voluminous report, we face a number of people who have grown up in cults .[...]
And although beliefs are different, the sects unite of their similar views on children - a ductile material which is wholly without self-action is in the hands of their spiritual designers, sects authoritarian leadership.
It is an education that can only be described as physical and mental abuse of children, with parents who piously makers willing to abuse may persist year after year. Those who manage to break away - the people interviewed by Essén - testify to how difficult it is to adapt to a society that has no knowledge of the cult world and have no understanding of dropouts repeated .[..]
But if nothing else will do, you can always refer to the secular constitution protected freedom of religion. Then you get immediate political and legal authorities on your side. No other human right has been in Sweden as high untouchable status as freedom of religion - it is rather a religious privilege.
The then Socialist government's inquiry into children in religious sects - "I good faith" (1998) - were rather cautious in its policies to address the blatant abuse, but it was still to the documents, since the heavy respondents Local Government Union (Kommunförbundet)argued that the measures would be against religious freedom. Since then, sect opportunities to oppress children instead further reinforced by the emergence of a growing number of religious private schools.
Honor cultures from the Middle East - Muslim or Christian - are concerned here only in passing. Essén describes the tip of the iceberg. Nothing indicates that the ruthless brainwashing of children is on its way down. On the contrary. Freedom of religion is holier than the UNCRC, which not even is the law in Sweden.
Expressen 2008-05-12
Let's say your ten years old and live in a tightly coherent group of about a hundred and fifty people. You know that the Earth's destruction is near and that the faithful will go to Heaven.
You're one of them and feel more worth than those who do not share your faith. That you would expect from a place in paradise feels comforting, but the adults in the group cane you periodically so that you should not deviate from the right path. Sometimes you are punished by your parents, sometimes by the group's charismatic leader.
If you have broken a serious rule, you are beaten with the heavy stick. You will be worried and afraid, because you associate the punishment with the possibility to go to Heaven. You are under constant pressure to do right. You may even feel guilty when you're thinking the wrong thoughts. The flogging will classify you in a strictly hierarchical system, but you are unaware that the adults also use more subtle means. You are cut off from society, unable to explore the world and from your own opinion about it. You will be compelled to devote a great deal of time studying religious texts - the Bible quotes and mantras replace the form of critical thinking - and to other spiritual activities.
About children living in such conditions write Charlotte Essén, in its just as important as a shocking book, Sect Child. There are a vast literature and research on cults as sociological phenomena. It mentions, for example, as a recurring theme, the group's minority status and elitist nature. It mentions the charismatic leader - not rarely considers himself to be divine or the sole intermediary between God and the sect members - the head of a strictly hierarchical order. It mentions the strict mind control.
The first two sections deal with children in the Knutby Pentacoastal Church, specifically about the children, and children of Jehovah's Witnesses. The following section on children in Hare Krishna movement is really scary, without exaggerating, you can call it a study in humiliation. And the final section deals with the little-known sect the Family. The sections on the various sects occupy about half of the book.
The second half devotes Essén to more general reasoning such as the conflict between children's rights and religious freedom. She makes international comparisons, noting that in France is a more restrictive anti-cult country than the U.S., for instance. She also raises a good example of how children raised in cults able to emerge from them in their teens or when they become adults .[...]
It is more or less clear that Sect Child is based on journalistic work processed and added together into a longer story. Nevertheless, Essen is very engaged and engaging when she expresses in words the individual life stories, and she is crystal clear in her analysis of how cults often affect children very negatively .[...]
Sect Child is a book that breathes pioneering work, should be read by many - not by sensationalism, but because children who grow up in cults need to be addressed.
Norrköping Newspapers 2008-06-11
[...] Essen's primary interest is to find out how children have been growing up in closed religious communities – is there any truth in this unfounded rumors about the child abuse and in some cases sexual abuse flourished around these groups? The interviews Essén does confirm at least that enough of what is said is true, and it must be regarded as alarming.
The interviews also revealed an embarrassing hand passitivity among Swedish authorities when it comes to dealing with this sort of problem. The former cult children have had been very difficult to get help to deal with the psychological problems they incurred as a consequence of the many ways abnormal upbringing. Several of them also wonder much about why no intervention during their childhood. Although communication with the outside world was limited as they were, among other things, met the children at some point a doctor. Why did´nt they act?
The interviews also revealed an embarrassing passitivity among Swedish authorities when it comes to dealing with this sort of problem. The former cult children have had been very difficult to get help to deal with the psychological problems they incurred as a consequence of the many ways abnormal upbringing. Several of them also wonder much about why no intervention during their childhood. Although communication with the outside world was limited as they were, among other things, met the children at some point a doctor. Why didn´t no one act?
A common approach among sects is to minimize contact with the outside. Therefore, they prefer home schooling or own schools. Independent schools and home schooling are checked - why didn´t the school inspector react? Essén’s ambition was to focus on the issue of victimization of children in cults. It seems she succeeded. The Government investigation came in 1998, "In good faith” and has been updated by Barbro Westerholm - who pushed the issue of children and young people's rights and has again lifted it in parliament.
Save the Children suggests, also in the wake of Essén’s book, to create a national resource center for issues concerning religious communities and children who leave religious communities. Furthermore, they pointed out the importance of increased understanding of the issues for all who work with children and suggest that children receiving home schooling shall have a contact person within the municipality.
Not least, the final draft is important. Unfortunately, it is enough that violence and child abuse occur in all contexts, and probably the fact is that the sect is a friendly environment for visiting violence. However, it is different to say that violence and abuse is a standard feature, or even a particularly common element of a religious or sectarian environment.
Even without violence is a sect such as the Jehovah's Witnesses a problematic environment for a child, even more so if the child in question is taught at home, thereby isolating the maximum from the surrounding community. If the child must have a reasonable opportunity to choose - to practice their religion - if he or she wants to stay or leave the cult when the day comes that he or she must have an idea of life outside the sect. Then a contact from the outside world vital.
Svenska Dagbladet, 2008-07-15, "Commentary" - Ann Heberlein, doctor of theology in ethics.
If you want to know anything about cults, I recommend "Sect Child" of Charlotte Essen.
Swedish Television, SVT, Magnus Utvik, Gomorron Sverige, 2008-11-18
It is frightening reading and extremely strong interviews Charlotte Essén done. An important book that should not be forgotten! Plus too much information about each sect.
Svenska Journalen No 6-7 2008
Journalist Charlotte Essen, have in several interviews and thorough research gone into the depth on several of its cults where children are brought up in horror to obedience, often with the help of physical and mental abuse by the name of God. Jehovah's Witnesses, Hare Krishna, Knutby Pentacoastal all examined under the microscope at an objective, knowledgeable and above all with immense respect for the children who grew up without the opportunity to challenge.[...]
Jönköping NU 2008-06-26
With the recently published book "Sect Child", the question of how children's right's and abuses in the religious movements are highlighted. The Children's Ombudsman (Barnombudsmannen) continue its focus on forgotten children.[..]
Tidningen Angermanland 2008-07-05
[...] It is difficult, almost impossible, for children born and grown up in an extreme movement to break with it. It's like dying from its old context.
After reading the detailed interviews, I have to admit that the level of outrage has risen sharply. It is really terrible stories you may have access to. The recurring theme is the victimization of children and the religious leaders - and parents - power. The stories tell of intimidation, coercion, humiliation and exploitation by the name of religion.
If it only dealt with these persons' stories, you could possibly do well to take what they say with a grain of salt. It is surely the case of "defectors" - which may have their very natural reasons to portray the situation in the movements that they left from the strong and dark colors. However, Charlotte Essén is not merely subjective reports, but supplemented with ideological documents, excerpts from "sacred writings and sermons from the various movements.
The principles for the upbringing act consistently to isolate children from the worldly influence (i.e all but the movement's own power) and to discipline them to obey. Both the threat of punishment is recommended, but there are also examples of the assurances of interacting with the children's natural impulses in order to "fool" them into the movement's ideology.
Yes, I am very dismayed over the reading. Even so, after the outrage comes further consideration. Who are the parents who want their children worst? Surely there must be concerned for the children's best interests underlying these principles of upbringing? Then it must be well also being possible to understand how the parents - and these movements - are thinking. And it's actually not very difficult. The common denominator is - just like the book title says - to be "selected for paradise," to have "chosen that good part" in a world that is characterized by malice, that saved from the ruin that threatens it. To the extent that we all should have a relationship with the outside world, it is to save it or to control it.
An important chapter in the book following the interviews contain a comparison between these sects and religious terrorists . The similarities are considerable for basic stance - there is a good world and an evil world - and that is no doubt that yourself are on the good side, you are "selected". This successful path has its price, which explains the sacrifices it is prepared to impose themselves and their children.
But, what children can believe anything other than one's family is on the good side? How can you have a critical distance to what you get with the mother's milk? Clearly mom and dad are right! To children's vulnerability is of course that they cannot see off the branch they sit on and therefore, will accept as good and natural also that which is evil and can hurt - at least while they are small! How're all dysfunctional families?
Essén shows how difficult, almost impossible, it is for children who are born and bred in a movement and break with it. It's like dying to your old attachment - and they are also rightly considered as dead by their relatives. How can one find a life with conditions other than the movement's manifest? Then it is obviously easier for them later in life joined a cult and then decides to leave, then they have "an old life" to return to.
In conclusion: Sect Child is a rich, interesting and useful book - not least of introspection in our churches and communities. Unless we already knew that we realize, after reading Charlotte Essén’s book that religious belief is not something to play with.
Stated aim of this book is just that, demonstrating how little people in general know about sects, yes, even the unsuspecting and gullible society's authorities are against these movements destructive influence on people. This manifests itself, particularly in the lack of support and the lack of understanding given to young people who try to make this sectarian context.
One final thought and reflection, of course, how it relates to the children of our established churches and communities. What are the up bring principles in our families and in our Christian youth work? Is it not inevitable that parents characterize their children - and that children have a little opportunity to challenge their parents? [...]
So how do actually a sound and healthy upbringing like? The question I believe no one escapes that reads Sect Child. Nevertheless, should not someone write a book also about "secularization children" who might never have met such values are worth fighting for, maybe even suffer and die for? Enough that it is important to beware of credulity and to keep alive their disbelief, but what happens to a culture if it is marked by cynicism and a general skepticism about everything except protecting their own welfare?[..]
Sändaren 2008-05-12
This solid and comprehensive book on the religious sect's terror against their children, shows that the situation is far worse than I (and society) had to guess.
This book really fills a need, when the normally flat and naïve Swedish authorities cannot imagine that children can really be treated so cruelly.[..]
Tidningen Broderskap 2008-10-31
Sects rarely depicted from a child's perspective, whether in newspaper articles, books and academic literature. Ignorance is great among both politicians and social care.
Charlotte Essén, freelance journalist with medical direction interview children and adults who have grown up in extreme movements. They tell of horrific experiences and the surroundings inability to see. Essén search for a better understanding of sectarian problems in schools; counselors and school nurses need training so that these children can be helped. Some competent rehabilitation of the type such as exists in the U.S. are completely lacking in Sweden.
Vårdfacket 2008-10-30
There are horror stories. And there are horror stories. In Charlotte Essence reportage book "Sect Child" you could read ghost stories from real life. About parents who have existential “brain damage” and forcing children to follow them on the road. She describes the problems of the victims - to find their way back into society and give them a decent life. And also about the help they need.
Femina 2008-06-27
Shocking reading about cults. Children's vulnerability to brainwashing of cults and extreme religious groups are told about in new novels and story books. The picture is confirmed by Charlotte Essen´s reportage book "Sect Child". She has a particular interest in the situation of children in religious cults. Her interviews with people who grew up in the Family, Knutby Pentacoastal, Hare Krishna or Jehovah's Witnesses shows regardless the same: children must suppress, be obedient, be punished. They are threatened with being excluded and displaced if they oppose the very least. It is shocking reading, and have unfortunately nothing to do with fiction.
Damernas Värld, No 2 2009
[..]It is obvious that the children depicted in Charlotte Essen´s book subjected to violations of the conventions (UN Convention on Human Rights, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child-CRC and the European Convention on Human Rights), which is unacceptable. The book shows that there is no knowledge of how many children are involved. [...]
Parliamentary motion, 2008/09: fp1082, "Protection and assistance to children and adults who are victims of manipulative leadership, (cults)", Barbro Westerholm and others, (FP), 2008-09-26
"It's been eleven years since the investigation "In Good Faith" (SOU 1998:113) was submitted to the Government. It focused particularly on the situation of children. The study found that children growing up in sect's sometimes have conditions that often are unacceptable in a democratic society. [ ...] The study found that knowledge about new religious movements, members' living conditions and possible impacts on society are inadequate .[...] The study was clear that steps need to be taken for the prevention of child maltreatment in some movements. Consultative process revealed that a majority of Swedish experts in the field of children supported the commission's proposals but no action has been taken. However, events have occurred that, in our view shows that the commission's proposals must be implemented. They included accounted for in Charlotte Essén’s book "Sect Child" published in 2008 . It is about children who grew up in closed, extreme, often religious groups and denounce the lack of knowledge about how many children it affects and the lack of research from a child's perspective. " [...]
Parliamentary motion, 2009/10: So373, ”Investigations on children in sects” Lars Tysklind and Liselott Hagberg (FP), 2009-10-02
