Show Notes
In this episode, Jessi Hersey bravely shares her story of surviving two forms of coercive control: childhood grooming by her drum teacher and emotional manipulation within the Twin Flames Universe online cult.
As a neurodivergent survivor, Jessi reflects on how her autism both made her more vulnerable and more attuned to subtle forms of abuse. She discusses the long-term impact of grooming, the cult’s use of “mirror exercises” to control beliefs, and her journey to reclaim safety and identity.
Jessi’s story highlights the urgent need for awareness around neurodivergence, grooming, and online spiritual coercion.
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More from Perfect Prey: A Coercive Control Podcast
Welcome back to Perfect Prey. In this episode, I’m honored to speak with Dr. Lenore E. Walker, a pioneering psychologist known for her work on Battered Woman Syndrome and the cycle of abuse.
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In this episode of Perfect Prey, Dr. Christine is joined by Kitty Mayo, child advocate and founder of Georgia Protective Parents, for an important conversation about reunification camps, family court, coercive control, and the experiences of protective parents.
In this episode of Perfect Prey, Dr. Christine is joined by Hope Hooton, child safety advocate and mother, for a deeply important conversation about coercive control, domestic violence, family court, and the urgent need to prioritize child safety.
In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by award-winning journalist and author Jess Hill for an important conversation about coercive control, domestic abuse, victim-survivors, children, and post-separation abuse. We explore what coercive control looks like, why it can be difficult to recognize, and how perpetrators maintain power through psychological, emotional, financial, and other forms of abuse. We also discuss how abuse can continue after separation through stalking, harassment, legal systems, and family court. Jess and I examine the impact on children, the importance of recognizing coercive control when assessing risk, and her work toward criminalizing coercive control in Australia—while emphasizing that legal reform is only one part of creating meaningful change for victim-survivors.