The Freedom Express Awards proudly present the Lifetime Achievement Award for cult advocacy and coercive control support. This prestigious honor celebrates individuals who have made lasting changes and uplifted marginalized communities affected by cults and coercive control. They have demonstrated a lifetime of unwavering commitment. Additionally, their dedication and efforts to bring awareness and policy change exemplify the highest standards of social advocacy.
To qualify for this distinguished accolade, nominees must demonstrate a proven track record in social advocacy. This should particularly include cult survivors and those under coercive control. They should show significant impacts through their work, leadership in movements, and successful collaborations with various organizations. Moreover, their innovative approaches and ethical standards should inspire future generations. This award not only honors their past achievements but also celebrates a legacy of compassion, inclusion, and justice.
2023 Recipient of the Freedom Express Lifetime Achievement Award
We are honored to announce Debbie Schriver as the recipient of the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for the Freedom Express Awards. Debbie’s lifelong dedication to advocacy and human rights has profoundly impacted marginalized communities. Specifically, she has focused her impact on cult survivors and victims of coercive control.
Debbie Schriver, a cult survivor advocate, author, and human rights activist, has made significant contributions to the counter-cult community. As president of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), she strategically led the organization through challenging times. She worked to ensure its survival and growth. “Debby Schriver all but single-handedly saved ICSA,” her nomination notes. The nominator highlights her efforts to create inclusive, professional, and transparent leadership within the organization.
Works
Her work extends beyond ICSA. Schriver’s book, Whispering in the Daylight: The Children of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries and their Journey to Freedom, explores the harrowing experiences of cult survivors. She has appeared in the Sundance TV docuseries “Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo.” Additionally, contributes to podcasts like “The Truth About True Crime” and “Cult Justice.” Debby also founded Keys to Me, a nonprofit. This organization is dedicated to educating community workers on recognizing and addressing coercive control. Consequently, Schriver continues to support survivors of cultic abuse, domestic abuse, and human trafficking.
Debbie Schriver’s decades-long career includes roles at the University of Tennessee, where she worked in Student Services and Human Resources. Also, her commitment to helping others is evident in her numerous community service roles. For example, she has worked with the Blount Mansion Association, YWCA, Foster Care Review Board, and PBS. Her nomination emphasizes her mentorship and dedication to professional, insightful, and accurate research and programs. As a result, she consistently breaks glass ceilings and serves as a role model for younger women and girls.
Debbie Schriver’s tireless advocacy, compassionate leadership, and unwavering commitment to human rights make her a deserving recipient of the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. Moreover, her legacy will continue to inspire and guide future generations in the fight for justice and dignity.
About the Debby Schriver
Debby Schriver is a cult survivor advocate, author, and human rights activist. A native of Chicago, Schriver earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Tennessee, where she worked for 32 years in Student Services and Human Resources. Her focus on children began in her work with the Foster Care Review Board. There she worked with the community that serves at-risk youth: lawyers, social workers, and foster parents. A similar group of caring professionals has been essential in informing Debby’s work on her book, Whispering in the Daylight, The Children of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries and their Journey to Freedom. Alamo’s story is part of the Sundance TV docuseries “Ministry of Evil: The Twisted Cult of Tony Alamo,” produced by NBC Peacock Productions and Sundance World of Wonder Productions (2019), in which Schriver appears.
You can also find Schriver on The Truth About True Crime podcast produced by Sundance TV, hosted by Amanda Knox, and on Cult Justice, a series airing on HULU. Schriver currently serves as president of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) and is founder of the non-profit, Keys to Me, an organization designed to educate community workers in understanding how to recognize coercive control and connect with its victims to create a groundwork from which survivors can begin a return to themselves and a healthy life. Keys to Me addresses coercive control as found in cultic abuse, domestic abuse, and human trafficking, and awards grants to support survivors. Schriver is currently working on her ninth book and serves on a number of community agencies, including the Blount Mansion Association, the YWCA, Foster Care Review Board, and PBS.