One Christmas she was granted just four hours to visit her parents. When she finally left the group, she says, members threatened her with physical harm. She hid out in hotels for months. Once a person joins the life of a cult, getting him or her out is a tricky business. Kidnapped members often return to destructive groups, and many shut out their families completely.
Exit counseling is smarter strategy.
The process, which takes place over several days, usually in the family home, is conducted by a trained consultant who is often a former cult member. Experts say interventions have a 90 percent success rate. Of course, you can't make that point if you can't get into the same room with your child. That's why parents like Karan Townsend are seeking systematic changes. It may not bring Shannon back, but it may save some other families a lot of pain.