Anne Hamilton Byrne was a former yoga instructor who deludedly believed herself to be the reincarnation of Christ. 

Under her malevolent influence, up to 28 children were subjected to a nightmarish existence. Their hair was bleached and cropped uniformly, while they endured beatings and even were administered LSD.

The cult would be later publicly referred to as  "The Family" where many of the child victims continue to  bear lifelong psychological scars.

But what are perplexing motivations that drive cult leaders like Anne Hamilton Byrne to exert control, manipulate, and inflict abuse upon vulnerable individuals?

What can be said about the differences between male and female cult leaders?

And is rehabilitation truly possible for the victims of cults like Byrne’s? 

Read Chris Johnston’s book “The Family” 

Want to get involved in the community? Follow Motive & Method @motiveandmethod on Instagram.

Anne Hamilton Byrne was a former yoga instructor who deludedly believed herself to be the reincarnation of Christ. 
Under her malevolent influence, up to 28 children were subjected to a nightmarish existence. Their hair was bleached and cropped uniformly, while they endured beatings and even were administered LSD.
The cult would be later publicly referred to as  "The Family" where many of the child victims continue to  bear lifelong psychological scars.
But what are perplexing motivations that drive cult leaders like Anne Hamilton Byrne to exert control, manipulate, and inflict abuse upon vulnerable individuals?
What can be said about the differences between male and female cult leaders?
And is rehabilitation truly possible for the victims of cults like Byrne’s? 
Read Chris Johnston’s book <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Family-Chris-Johnston/dp/1925321673">“The Family” </a>
Want to get involved in the community? Follow Motive &amp; Method<a href="https://www.instagram.com/motiveandmethod/"> @motiveandmethod</a> on Instagram.

Motive & Method is an expert-led Australian true crime podcast. Join Dr Xanthe Mallett and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro as they unpack what really makes the offenders behind some of history’s most notorious cases tick, and also react and unpack crimes as they hit the headlines. You will also hear from victim survivors, investigators and advocates for change analysing motive, and method.

Motive &amp; Method is an expert-led Australian true crime podcast. Join Dr Xanthe Mallett and criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro as they unpack what really makes the offenders behind some of history’s most notorious cases tick, and also react and unpack crimes as they hit the headlines. You will also hear from victim survivors, investigators and advocates for change analysing motive, and method.

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