Who We Are

Who We Are

Mission

The Family Survival Trust is a registered charity (No 1121388) whose mission is to prevent, and to provide information on coercive control, cultic behaviour and psychological manipulation. We support those affected by groups that use these techniques. We educate regarding the risks these groups pose to individuals and society and seek appropriate controls on these groups’ activities.

The Team

Dr Alexandra Stein

Dr Alexandra Stein

Trustee

Alexandra Stein, Ph.D. is a writer and educator specializing in the social psychology of ideological extremism and other dangerous social relationships. She is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at London South Bank University, and previously taught at Birkbeck, University of London. She teaches a course on Cults and Totalitarianism at the Mary Ward Centre. She is the author of two books: Inside Out: A memoir of entering and breaking out of a Minneapolis political cult (Grey Door, 2002) and Terror, Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in cults and totalitarian systems (Routledge, 2016).

Jacky Hart

Jacky Hart

Trustee

Jacky graduated as a dental therapist in her mid thirties and went on to complete a Masters Degree in Dental Law and Ethics. She was born and raised in the Exclusive Brethren (now known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church) who do not condone higher education. It was only leaving this group that enabled the progression of studying. For the past 10 years Jacky has been active in raising awareness of the harm caused by cults and in supporting members who want to leave such groups.

Jude Lawrence

Jude Lawrence

Trustee

Jude supports the charity’s work through her role as a trustee and co-treasurer. With personal experience of high-control groups, she assists lawyers on related cases, conducts historical research, supports victims, and helps share information and build connections within the field. She is also involved with the National Working Group against Spiritual and Religious Abuse (NWG SARA) and engages in awareness-raising activities online.

 

Naomi Brown

Naomi Brown

Trustee

Naomi has a career spanning major organisations including Coca-Cola and, most extensively, the NHS. With a strong background in corporate governance and organisational development, she has held senior roles, including Chief of Staff at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, and now works with NHS boards to support challenged teams nationwide.

Naomi is a committed advocate for cult education and survivor support. Having grown up in the Jesus Army/Jesus Fellowship, she co-founded the Jesus Fellowship Survivors Association in her 30s, and for the past decade has been actively involved in raising awareness, campaigning for justice, and supporting those affected by high-control groups.

Naomi has a young family and enjoys getting out in nature where possible.

 

Steven Norcliffe

Steven Norcliffe

Trustee

Steven Norcliffe has a degree in Mechanical Engineering graduating in 1982; he lived in the UK, Germany and South Africa during his working career. For the first 12 years of his career he worked on the commissioning and design of power stations. After this he moved to a career in construction underwriting, managing teams of insurance underwriters in London, Europe, the USA and Asia.

He became personally aware of the destructive power of cults when a family member started living with him during the long road to recovery. He has built up a general knowledge of cult indoctrination and a more specific knowledge of the methods used by religious cults. He is acutely aware of the difficulties in getting the NHS and social services to help cult victims, as well as the difficulties in making complaints about UK based cults. He retired in 2018 and lives with his wife in a small village in Cumbria, he enjoys walking, cooking and socialising with friends and neighbours.