Is It Safe for Me to Leave?

1. 1.Do you have close friends or family members outside the group who you trust and who would support you if you left?
   Yes; I have a strong support network outside the group.I have some outside connections, though they are not as close as they once were.Most of my real relationships are within the group.I have almost no meaningful relationships outside the group.
2. 2.Does your group practice shunning — instructing members to cut off all contact with those who leave?
   No; former members maintain friendships within the group.Some distance naturally occurs but no formal shunning policy.Informal shunning is common; most relationships inside would end.Formal, total shunning is doctrine; I would lose all group relationships immediately.
3. 3.Is your housing, employment, or financial stability in any way dependent on the group or its members?
   No; my housing and income are fully independent.Some financial entanglement exists but I could manage independently.Significant financial or housing dependency on the group or members.I am entirely dependent on the group for housing and income.
4. 4.How strong is the 'phobia indoctrination' you have received — warnings that leaving will result in spiritual catastrophe, mental breakdown, or divine punishment?
   No such messaging exists; leaving is treated as a personal choice.Some teachings suggest leaving is unwise but no catastrophic warnings.Clear messaging that leaving will cause serious spiritual or psychological harm.Deep-seated terror of what happens to those who leave; I find it very hard to imagine surviving outside.
5. 5.Does the group have records, confessions, or personal information about you that could be used against you if you left?
   No; the group holds no sensitive personal information.Some information is held but I don't believe it would be weaponised.Significant personal or financial information is held; misuse is possible.Confessions or sensitive records are held; past members report this being used against them.
6. 6.How have group members treated others who have left in the past?
   Former members are treated respectfully and relationships continue.Some awkwardness but no organised campaign against former members.Former members are spoken of negatively, labelled as spiritually fallen or dangerous.Former members are actively harassed, publicly shamed, or have faced legal action from the group.
7. 7.How are family members within the group likely to react if you leave — specifically, would they be required or pressured to shun you?
   Family members inside the group would maintain their relationship with me.Some tension would arise but no formal instruction to shun.Family members inside would likely distance themselves significantly.I would likely lose all contact with family members who remain in the group.
8. 8.Do you have practical skills, qualifications, or work experience that would allow you to support yourself outside the group?
   Yes; I have strong, transferable skills and qualifications.I have some skills; re-entering the workforce might be challenging but manageable.Time in the group has limited my work experience; re-entry would be difficult.The group has been my entire world for so long that I have almost no outside work experience.
9. 9.Do you feel psychologically prepared to handle a period of grief, identity confusion, or social isolation after leaving?
   Yes; I have a clear sense of my own identity and values outside the group.Somewhat; I expect challenges but feel resilient enough to navigate them.I feel quite lost when I imagine who I am outside the group's framework.I cannot currently imagine a meaningful life outside the group.
10. 10.Has the group or its leadership ever used legal threats, restraining orders, or litigation against members who left or spoke out?
    Not that I know of; the group does not pursue legal action against former members.Rare instances but not a systematic pattern.There is a documented history of legal intimidation against former members.The group regularly pursues legal action against those who leave and speak publicly.
11. 11.Do you have access to a therapist, counsellor, or cult-recovery specialist who you could speak with during or after your exit?
    Yes; I already have or could easily access cult-informed professional support.I could access general counselling, though cult-specific support might be harder to find.Mental health support is limited and I would need to find it independently.I have no current access to outside mental health support.
12. 12.Is there a safe physical location you could go to immediately after leaving, away from group-connected housing?
    Yes; I have a safe, private place to stay that is completely independent of the group.I have some options; it would require planning.Finding safe independent housing is a significant challenge.I currently live in group housing or am so enmeshed that safe exit housing is a major obstacle.
13. 13.Overall, how fearful are you of the consequences of leaving?
    Not very fearful; I feel I could manage whatever follows.Somewhat nervous, but the fear feels manageable.Significantly fearful; the prospect of leaving feels dangerous or overwhelming.Extremely fearful; thoughts of leaving fill me with terror or paralysis.

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