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Carol Merchasin speaks at Harvard Divinity School Conference

Type: In the Media Topics: , ,
Screenshot of a PowerPoint slide that says “Investigating Alternative Spiritual Movements: What Experience and the Law Tell Us About Sexual Abuse in Alternative Spiritual Communities.” it's used at a conference at the Harvard University that Carol Merchasin, head of McAllister Olivarius' Sexual Misconduct in Spiritual Communities attended.

Carol Merchasin, head of our Sexual Misconduct in Spiritual Communities practice, was invited to speak at Harvard Divinity School’s “Uses and Abuses of Power in Alternative Spiritualities” Conference. Carol was joined on stage by Jens Augspurger and Angela Gollat, dissenting former members of Sivananda Yoga, for a wide-ranging presentation that covered everything from the legal options available to survivors to how cult groups use silencing and shunning tactics to gaslight victims.

Investigating Alternative Spiritual Movements: What Experience and the Law Tell Us About Sexual Abuse in Alternative Spiritual Communities.

A screenshot of a video that features Carol Merchasin, head of McO's Sexual Misconduct in Spiritual Communities practice, attending a conference at the Harvard University.
Screenshot of a PowerPoint slide used during a conference at Harvard University, the slide lists obstacles faced by survivors of abuse within religious communities who want to seek legal recourse.
Screenshot of a PowerPoint slide used during a conference at Harvard University, the slide lists viable legal tools to survivors of abuse within religious communities.

Carol talks about the dilemma faced by many survivors of sexual abuse within cults or religious organizations – many hesitate to name their abusers, and others are often silenced by the organization they trust.

Drawing on her experience of fighting for justice on behalf of cult survivors, Carol provided insights on recent case law and litigation strategies.

Highlight:

Carol Merchasin, Of Counsel at McAllister Olivarius.

Carol Merchasin
Head of Sexual Misconduct in Spiritual Communities practice