About
Renée
Hi, my name is Renee Spencer. Throughout my life I have had many encounters with coercive control from high control groups and communities that could be defined as cults. The worse experience, however, has been losing my daughter to a destructive cult.
These negative experiences have alerted me to the need for more awareness about how to identify a cult so as to prevent others from going through the same ordeal. I am now passionate about trying to prevent others from experiencing coercion as a direct victim of a high-control group and/or as a friend or family member.
My work history includes over twenty-five years secondary school teacher and ten years in mental health. My qualifications include psychology and art therapy. I am registered with PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia).
I am involved with the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the impacts of cults and high-control groups, and co-authored the submission "Beyond Belief".
My advocacy role involves being vice-president of SOCCHG (Survivors of Coercive Cults and High-Control Groups) and one of the administrators of the Facebook group ACSN (Australian Cult Survivors Network).
