Victorian inquiry hears from regional cult survivors about their isolation and shame
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aura McConnell was raised in the secretive Truth Two by Twos cult in rural northern Victoria until she was shunned at the age of 19.
The group is also sometimes referred to as The Church With No Name, The Truth or The Way.
“I was a queer kid who did not want to get married and have children, which was expected of me,” she told the inquiry.
“I wanted to get an education and a career, and I pushed back on gender norms and behaviours and I was pushed out for that.
“I grew up surrounded by family violence, CSA [child sex abuse], grooming, physical and verbal abuse, spiritual and religious abuse. I have CPTSD [complex post-traumatic stress disorder] and I live with chronic pain.”
Her story is among the 317 submissions to the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into the recruitment and impact of cults and fringe groups.
On Monday, she revealed her experiences under parliamentary privilege.
Survivors are calling for targeted laws and a specialised social services department to help cult members leave.
Of the respondents to the inquiry, 95 per cent said they had suffered psychological harm, including mind control, emotional abuse, fear of punishment if they left, isolation from family and friends and apocalyptic teachings.
Read more https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-15/cult-inquiry-victorian-parliamentary-hearings-city-builders/105884274
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