Toolkit/S.L.I.C.E. v1/How to Use/General Public
S.L.I.C.E. for the General Public
For families, survivors, concerned friends and anyone worried about a loved one in a high-control group, coercive relationship or belief-driven environment.
Why This Matters
If someone you care about is in a high-control group or relationship, S.L.I.C.E. helps you:
- Recognize patterns you might otherwise miss or dismiss
- See the bigger picture instead of fixating on isolated incidents
- Understand how control operates across multiple areas of life—beliefs, relationships, money, time, information
- Assess risk and decide what action to take
- Talk to professionals (counselors, lawyers, investigators) with clear, organized information
How to Use S.L.I.C.E. to Understand Your Situation
How Is the Group Organized?
Ask yourself:
- Who makes decisions? Is there a clear leader or small group in charge?
- How are members ranked or divided? Are some people treated as more important?
- How do members communicate? Are there secret channels or restricted information?
Red flags:
- One person has absolute authority
- Questioning leadership is forbidden or punished
- Information flows only from the top down
What Can’t Members Do?
Ask yourself:
- Can members leave freely, or are there barriers (financial, emotional, social)?
- Can members talk to outsiders, or is contact restricted?
- Can members access information freely, or is some information forbidden?
Red flags:
- Leaving is made extremely difficult (debt, threats, shame)
- Contact with family or outside friends is discouraged or forbidden
- Certain books, websites or ideas are banned
How Does the Group Create Pressure?
Ask yourself:
- Does the group have a special belief system or ideology?
- Are members told they’re special or chosen?
- Is the outside world portrayed as dangerous or evil?
Red flags:
- Members are told they’re part of an elite or enlightened group
- The outside world is portrayed as dangerous or evil
- Leaving is framed as betrayal, weakness or spiritual death
How Does the Group Enforce Obedience?
Ask yourself:
- Does the group control money or financial decisions?
- Are members punished for disobedience (public shaming, isolation)?
- Are members monitored or reported on by other members?
Red flags:
- Members must give their money or earnings to the group
- Disobedience results in public humiliation or isolation
- Members are watched or spied on by other members
How Dangerous Is This?
Ask yourself:
- Has the group’s control gotten stricter over time?
- Are members becoming more isolated or dependent?
- Has anyone been harmed (physically, financially, psychologically)?
Red flags:
- Control is increasing, not decreasing
- Financial or physical abuse is occurring
- Members show signs of trauma, depression or suicidal thoughts
What to Do If You're Concerned
Document what you see: Keep notes of specific incidents, dates and changes in behavior.
Talk to someone you trust: Share your concerns with family, friends or a counselor.
Reach out to your loved one: If safe, express concern without judgment. Listen more than you lecture.
Seek professional help: Contact a therapist, exit counselor or specialist in high-control group recovery.
Contact authorities if needed: If there is abuse, exploitation or danger, contact law enforcement.
Take care of yourself: Supporting someone in a high-control situation is emotionally draining. Get support for yourself too.
Important Boundaries
- S.L.I.C.E. helps you understand a situation, not diagnose it or prove someone is in a “coercive influence environment.”
- S.L.I.C.E. is not a substitute for professional help (therapy, legal advice, law enforcement).
- You cannot force someone to leave a group. Change has to come from them.
- Recovery from coercive control takes time. Be patient with yourself and your loved one.