Hello Amy,

My name is Pedro Santos. I am a freelance journalist situated in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I’m writing a news feature reflecting on those affected by New World Strategies and would love to interview you as part of the piece.

Specifically, I’m hoping you can comment on:
• Your experiences working for New World Strategies
• Your feelings towards the organization
• How you feel your time at New World Strategies has changed you
• Your life following your exit from the organization

As I am situated in Brazil, I would be happy to conduct a phone interview, or continue to communicate via email. I am not able to offer questions ahead of time, but I promise they will fall within the above outline.

My goal with this piece is to share the stories of those who were afflicted by the operations of New World Strategies and attempt to form a better understanding of the reasons for its decline.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, I would be happy to accommodate that request.

Thanks so much for your time. I hope to hear from you soon.

Warm regards,

Pedro Santos

Hello Pedro,

May I ask how you came to receive my contact information?

Hello Amy,

Thank you for your reply.

I received your information via a list of contact details of former employees, which was given to me by another former staffer who wishes to remain anonymous.

I apologize if receiving this email has been upsetting for you in any way. I would like to affirm that my intentions are to give you an opportunity to broadcast your story.

Warm regards,

Pedro Santos

I see.

Why is a journalist from Brazil writing a piece on an Australian cult?

I have been following New World Strategies for almost a decade now, following a promising lead as far back as 2006. I had intended to write a piece then, but certain circumstances prevented that from happening.

I have recently received new information that has encouraged me to re-open my investigation.

While several elements of the cults history and members are rooted in Brazil, I look at this as a universal story, and a profound and important opportunity to expose injustice.

What were the circumstances that prevented your original story from releasing?

There was too much attention by certain members of the cult who wanted me to go away. And while I would continue to keep my eye on its activities in the coming years, I had to make the choice to abandon the story to protect myself and my family from harm.

Now that the cults influence and scale has diminished, I feel it is safe to continue the work I started long ago.

Okay.

Firstly, I apologize for being cagey. This isn't the first time I've been contacted by someone from that world after my exit, and it often takes the form of, or leads to, harassment. I don't even use this email anymore, so you re lucky I happened to check it.

I feel I must let you know that I'm not convinced that their influence has, as you put it, diminished. Who has communicated this to you?

They can be deeply, deplorably manipulative, and it’s possible the information you have been fed is for lack of a better word, a trap.

Thank you Amy.

In regard to your apology, there is no need to be sorry. I completely understand why you might be hesitant to engage with someone like myself.

I cannot reveal my source, but their position as an ex-member is very certain, and their information very reliable. Of course, you can only take me at my word, but I feel with some confidence that I am not falling victim to any kind of a setup.

However, please know that I am wary of potential bad faith contributors and am avoiding commenting on any details of my conversations with other former members without express permission first.

Sorry for the late reply. This has been a lot to deal with.

Basically, I can’t find it in myself to believe you when you say they're no longer a threat. I’d go as far as to say it’s laughable. Sorry.

I appreciate the work that you’re doing and think the risk you are taking is extremely noble. It is important to bring the stories of what they did to us to the forefront, and I believe that this is your earnest intention.

However, I feel that participating in this piece, anonymous or no, will result in future harassment. Until you can confirm what you're alleging I cannot feel safe contributing.

I am afraid I would not be able to share the information you have requested without compromising the anonymity of my source. At least not at this time.

Should I encounter sufficient, sharable evidence, I would be quite happy to pass it onto you at your current address.

Thank you Pedro, but that is okay.

Upon reflection, I feel that there is no amount of evidence that could guarantee me the safety I would need to participate in your piece.

Please know that this is not an inditement on you, but rather a consequence of the damage that they did to me. Just revisiting the memories associated with this nightmare over the course of the last few days has left me feeling extremely vulnerable and upset. I am no where near able to talk in-depth about my experiences with a member of the press.

I ask that we please end our correspondence here and consider this email chain to be off the record. However, I wish you the best of luck for your investigation and would be perfectly happy for you to send me a link to the finished article once it is complete, should you wish to do so.

I appreciate your kindness towards me, and I hope for the best for you and your family.

Warm wishes,

Amy Huang

Thank you for your considered and thoughtful reply, Amy.

I completely understand your situation, and sincerely apologize for any negative emotions this back and forth has stirred up. I can only imagine how horrible it must be to have to relive your past, and deeply admire your strength in having survived it.

In that spirit, I will happily honor your request to keep our conversation here off the record.

If you do feel some day that you are ready to share your story, I would love to hear it – on or off the record. Otherwise, I am quite glad to send you a link to the article upon completion.

I wish you the best of luck in your future, and hope you find your solace.

Warmest regards,

Pedro Santos

Thank you, Pedro.

That means a lot. Thank you for saying it.

Take care,

Amy