Sect Information Berlin

In Berlin there is a large, almost unmanageable market for religious, ideological, therapeutic or self-help programmes. As varied as these programmes are, they are mostly aimed at human needs and longings for happiness, meaning in life, security and community or for success and prosperity.

However, not every group is safe. Some groups promise freedom but lead to total dependence or promise success but cause financial ruin. If you have any questions, problems or need information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sect Information Berlin (SektenInfo Berlin) is a first point of contact and cooperates with other counselling centres. The main focus of the work is the education about the characteristics, structures and methods of conflict-ridden providers in the religious and self-help market. Sect information focusses on

• Gaining knowledge through field observation, analysis, evaluation and documentation
• Processing of information and help requests as well as counselling (by e-mail, phone or in person upon consultation)
• Education and (school) prevention
• Nationwide networking/cooperation
• Political committee work
• Evaluation

(School) prevention in the state of Berlin and counselling Berliners are paramount. Citizens are supported in the free formation of opinions and decision-making in accordance with democratic principles and are provided the opportunity to make their own assessments with the help of information and materials.

The focus of our work is the individual and needs-oriented counseling of those directly affected, relatives, dropouts and inquiring institutions.

SektenInfo Berlin is embedded in a nationwide network of counseling centers as well as in a regional support system. These cooperations make it possible for us to take up further support according to the requests of the inquirers and to refer them to the Berlin help system.

Our regional and nationwide cooperation and network partners include, for example, counseling centers of the Weltanschauungsarbeit (denominationally or state-sponsored), psychosocial services, crisis services, district offices with their specialized departments, educational and family counseling, school psychology and social counseling, and many more.

Consulting

Depending on the needs of the inquirer, consultations are conducted by telephone, e-mail or in person (also anonymously) by prior appointment. Depending on the urgency and the wishes of the person concerned, we focus on the current concerns, needs and expectations in an initial consultation. All subsequent appointments are based on this and are arranged individually. Our consultations are subject to confidentiality, are confidential and follow a systemic and person-centered approach.

Information

Clarification and information about characteristics, structures and methods of conflict-prone offers on the religion and life assistance market is another field of activity of SektenInfo. Findings and information are based on descriptions of anonymous consultations, on own research and documentation as well as on the exchange of information with professional colleagues from all over Germany.

Prevention and education for students and teachers

As an offer for Berlin schools, pedagogical training centers and teachers, SektenInfo provides educational and preventive work in schools. After consultation and depending on the interests of the learning groups and the pedagogical staff, SektenInfo supports the students in the sense of democratic principles in the free formation of opinion and will and gives them the opportunity to make their own assessments with the help of didactically prepared materials and teaching sequences.

SektenInfo provides teachers with materials and ideas for integrating this comprehensive topic into their lessons. In addition, further training courses for teachers are available.

Since January 2007, the Berlin branch of the Scientology organization has been located in a prestigious building in the western city center at Otto-Suhr-Allee 30-34. The organization makes an effort to show its presence at exposed locations in Berlin: information booths are regularly operated at Potsdamer Platz, Kurfürstendamm and in various pedestrian zones. Here, books, CDs and DVDs are “offered for donation”. Here also “stress tests” are carried out on the “E-Meter”, which are used by the Scientology organization, in addition to the written so-called “personality test”, as a means of entry into the course system.

The organization has also repeatedly tried to reach children and young people in Berlin schools and recreational facilities. School principals, for example, received advertising material for information events such as anti-drug seminars, open days or lectures in ethics or religion classes. School classes were invited to visit the center. The DVDs of the campaigns are produced in an extremely clever and youth-oriented manner. Increasingly, the organization is present in youth-oriented networks and video platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The SektenInfo Berlin counselling centre will provide you information and counselling on groups and communities in Berlin. At SektenInfo Berlin, those who are affected or interested can find out whether they can trust a programme on the self-help market. In addition, Sekteninfo Berlin offers support if those affected, family members or friends are having difficulties with a group.

The brochure When a group becomes a problem gives an overview of what sects actually are, what tasks Sekteninfo Berlin has and what programmes it offers. The brochure also shows how you can tell whether a group is good or bad for you.

The brochure provides more in-depth information by describing the development on the self-help market using numerous reports from those affected and those who have dropped out. The flyer ‘When a group becomes a problem’ briefly presents the tasks and counselling programmes offered by SektenInfo Berlin. It offers information for people who want to get out of a group or relatives who are worried about someone close to them. SektenInfo Berlin also offers information and prevention events for schools and teachers.

• “Is that a sect?”
• “Do you keep a list of sects?”
• “Why don’t you warn more clearly about this group?”

These and similar questions keep coming back to us. However, the state is obligated to be neutral, the state’s action is always in tension with groups’ right free speech in the spectrum of ideology and self-help. At the same time, however, the state also has a duty of care towards its citizens . Therefore, if people run the risk of being restricted in their basic rights and deliberately led into a psychological and/or financial dependency or being harmed in body or soul, the state may also issue a warning.

That is why the SektenInfo Berlin team provides information on sects and questionable self-help programmes, arranges contacts with experts and counsels people who want to leave a group as well as relatives who are worried about a loved one.

In contrast to self-proclaimed saviours, we have no patent remedies. The market is getting increasingly larger and more unfathomable. Every programme must be checked in a responsible way. But checklists can be helpful for a first and quick overview.

Please contact SektenInfo Berlin for more information or to protect yourself. We update the checklists independently and then make them available for download.

Personal appointments by telephone only.
Or use the contact form for your written request or send us an e-mail.

If you are interested, please contact us by phone or e-mail.

If, in addition to counseling, you are also interested in an exchange with other affected persons, we will put you in touch with the group