Uni student association confirms reports of students targeted by cult groups on campus

International and first-year students have been identified as potential targets of “predatory cult organisations” operating on university campuses. What we know.

University of Tasmania student association issues cult activity warning.

Students and the general public are being warned to be on the lookout for “predatory cult organisations” at University of Tasmania (UTAS) campuses, with the student association issuing an alert for increasing incidents around the state reported to them.

The Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA) on Monday posted on their Instagram page that they were “aware that there are a number of predatory cult organisations attempting to recruit students on UTAS campuses”.

TUSA president Jack Oates Pryor said TUSA decided to issue the warning after receiving several reports from students.

The University of Tasmania Campus at Sandy Bay. Picture: Linda Higginson

He did not name any specific organisations or cults.

“We have some reports, mostly in the south and for southern campuses however, we also have a concern for our northern and northwest campuses,” he said.

“From the reports we have received, people are mainly approaching students and attempting to strike up a conversation or ask them personal questions.

“As we have said online, they appear to target international students, first-year students, or students who appear isolated, but it could be anyone.”

Mr Oates Pryor said there was no clear intention behind the cult-like activity on campus, just people recruiting to organisations.

“When you are talking to recruiters from a cult, they will often steer the conversation towards a specific topic, and may reinforce that their interpretation is the “correct one”,” TUSA published online.

“Online, they may approach about a mutual interest in a similar manner, before asking to connect privately.”

The University of Tasmania Campus at Sandy Bay. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Oates Pryor said TUSA was encouraging students to reach out to anyone, including TUSA student advocates, police, organisations like Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS) Australia or other students.

“Beating the isolation that comes with these groups is key, so really reach out to anyone if you think something is wrong,” he said.

Wollongong-based counsellor and president of CIFS Australia Tore Klevjer stated he hadn’t heard of recent cult activity in Tasmania specifically, but said cult recruitment was on the rise across Australia, particularly at university campuses.

“There are a number of cults actively out recruiting in Australia, we have heard a lot from Melbourne and Perth and some from Brisbane,” he said.

Tore Klevjer Wollongong-based counsellor and president of Cult Information and Family Support. Picture: Supplied.

He said that social media and online groups were helping to break people from cult groups.

“Quite often we’re hearing that they will finally get on the internet and research it,” he said.

“They get a couple of red flags or things that make them research it. It wakes them up to the fact that something’s very wrong.”

UTAS’ Pro Vice-Chancellor for Equity and Student Success Dr James Brann said the university recognised that some groups or organisations can “unhealthily influence” university students.

“We monitor these matters carefully and work closely with our student organisation to

increase awareness and share information about how to respond and get support,” he said.

“It is important our campuses are safe and inclusive spaces, and we encourage students to

contact the University if they see or hear anything concerning.”

He also did not respond to comments to name any of the alleged cult-like organisations.

Doing research or talking to someone outside of a cult for help is what Mr Klevjer’s recommends for those trying to break out of a cult.

“It’s about breaking that cycle of isolation and reliance on the group however you can,” he said.

More information can be found at www.cifs.org.au/

Originally published as Uni student association confirms reports of students targeted by cult groups on campus