The Olive Leaf Network: Public Testimony to the Parliament of Victoria on Children in Cults and High-demand Religious Groups with Psychologist Maria Esguerra

About this episode

Maria Esguerra discusses her testimony to the Parliament of Victoria regarding the impact of cults on children.

As the United States remains stalled on full disclosure and holding Epstein file perpetrators accountable, the Parliament of Victoria, Australia, has launched an inquiry into the recruitment methods and societal impacts of cults and organized fringe groups. Maria Esguerra is one of the directors of The Olive Leaf Network who testified and presented a written submission at the public hearing of this inquiry in November 2025, alongside her co-directors Mirriam Francis and Dani Sorensen. Maria is a Queensland-based registered psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with people with disabilities. Bringing her professional expertise as well as personal insight from being a Second-Generation Adult (SGA) cult survivor, she is a leading voice for those harmed by high-control groups in Australia, as well as her global advocacy. Maria was born into and raised in the Children of God cult, one of the most abusive cults. The cult rebranded as “The Family” (one of numerous cults calling themselves this). She escaped at age 22 with her two young children. The Core Argument stated in The Olive Leaf Network’s written submission to the Parliament of Victoria inquiry, titled Children…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Steve Hassan

Guest: Maria Esguerra

Topics covered

• cults
• high-demand groups
• children's rights
• coercive control
• psychology
• advocacy

Keywords

• cult recruitment
• systemic coercive control
• high-control groups
• child safety
• psychologist
• cult survivor
• advocacy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Olive Leaf Network, Children of God, The Family

Places: Australia, Queensland

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