Episode #31 Justine For Justice - Escaping the ICOC

In this episode, we hear from Justine, a survivor of the International Church of Christ (ICOC), as she bravely shares her experience of growing up in a controlling religious group. The ICOC is known for its extreme control over members, including enforcing a strict purity culture and dictating every aspect of members' lives.

Justine's story is one of resilience and survival. At age 16, she left the group to seek treatment for an eating disorder, which marked the beginning of her journey to recovery and freedom. Now, 20 years later, Justine is thriving—she’s married and has three children. Her journey to healing began when she started a blog, sharing her experiences and helping others come forward with their own stories.

The ICOC's influence extended far beyond spiritual matters, impacting every aspect of Justine's life. Members were required to make significant financial contributions and were often given recruitment quotas, effectively turning them into unpaid laborers. Justine’s family joined the ICOC when she was just three years old, seeking a supportive environment after her father’s struggles with alcoholism. However, the reality was far from what they expected. Justine endured multiple forms of abuse and struggled with isolation, believing that everyone outside the group was doomed.

The turning point came when Justine’s family learned about the systemic abuses within the ICOC, which eventually led them to leave the group. Today, Justine is a vocal advocate for those harmed by controlling religious groups, using her platform to raise awareness about the dangers of cults and importance of mental health. Her story is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to break free from such environments and the importance of supporting survivors.

This episode is a crucial listen for anyone seeking to understand the psychological impact of cults and the path to recovery for survivors

Justine's Contact Info:

Justine's website for details on cases: https://open.substack.com/pub/justicejustine

Justine's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/justineforjustice/

Justine's TikTok account: https://www.tiktok.com/@justineforjustice

For Anyone Harmed By the ICOC contact : https://www.instagram.com/free2b_org/

Cultimatum Podcast Contact Info:

Email: cultimatumpodcast@gmail.com

Cultimatum Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1910498486077283

Cultimatum Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/cultimatumpodcast?igsh=MXBnNXllYjBtc2hwcg==

Cultimatum TikTok account :

https://www.tiktok.com/@cultimatumpodcast?_t=8nLKfZ8ShnW&_r=1