The Woman Who Brought Down A Global Cult

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Juliana Bühring was born into a notorious, global cult founded by
David Berg in the 1960s. Removed from her parents' care at the
age of three, she was raised in a series of military-style
training camps and endured a difficult, nomadic childhood,
alleging frequent physical, psychological and sexual abuse.





After the death of her sister Davida, Juliana left the group and
co-wrote a memoir that helped to expose the cult's wrongdoings,
eventually leading to its demise. Using the strength and
resilience she found within herself during her early years, she
later took up endurance cycling and became the first woman to
complete a round-the-world cycle.





Listen to the full episode on Spotify now.





In this brand-new series, Zara sits down with people whose lives
have been shaped by extraordinary experiences. From surviving
life-changing events and escaping dangerous situations to stories
of crime, cults, and shocking split-second decisions, each guest
shares their story with complete honesty. Raw, candid and deeply
personal, these are the stories you won't forget.





The Family International has previously said that it respects the
views of former members, while maintaining that these allegations
are subjective, exaggerated, and do not reflect the organisation
as a whole. However, it acknowledges that some former members
have had negative experiences, for which it apologises.



The Family International has admitted that there were incidents
of inappropriate behaviour towards minors in the past. However,
since 1986, any form of abuse has been forbidden and sexual
contact between adults and minors has been prohibited, resulting
in immediate expulsion.





The Family International says that it has undergone independent
investigations involving around 700 children, with no evidence of
abuse found. It also states that such claims risk overshadowing
what it describes as its longstanding Christian missionary and
humanitarian work.





This story may include sensitive themes. Please listen with care.
The experiences and views shared belong to the individuals
involved and reflect their own experiences and beliefs.





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Produced by South Shore Productions