Laura was born into the Two by Twos cult. They don't want you to know they exist.

Content warning: this article mentions childhood sexual abuse.

It's known as The Truth or the Two by Twos cult amongst survivors. That's because they preach in pairs, visiting the homes of followers to ensure they're adhering to the rules. Rules designed to guarantee entry into heaven.

But this worldwide fundamentalist Christian group has no formal registrations, no formal church buildings, and no official name. 

Watch: Inside The Cult-like Doomsday Church. Article continues after the video.

"They called themselves The Truth, The Way, or Friends and Workers. They're also known in the US and Canada as Two by Twos," says Laura.

"They believe themselves to be the one true and only way to heaven."

That's what makes it so insidious, says Laura. And she would know. Laura was born into the group, a fifth generation member on her mother's side, and a third generation member on her father's side.

"I was raised to believe that wearing trousers was a sin.  That girls cutting their hair or styling it in a 'worldly ' way — ie. fashionable — demonstrated you did not have the 'right spirit' and you were judged not worthy of saving or going to heaven."

Purity culture was strong, with girls encouraged to marry young and within the group.

"We were encouraged to 'be in the world but not of the world' — to keep ourselves separate," said Laura.

"We went to mainstream schools, but were discouraged from having close friendships, playing organised sport, and participating in extracurricular activities."

Laura grew up without TV, radio or pop music, and was discouraged from the arts and theatre. 

"Even going to the movies was seen as a sin."

The group has entrenched itself around the world, Laura told Mamamia, staying in followers' homes for days at a time, and holding underground meetings for worship and recruitment. 

"A key part of their belief is a 'homeless ministry', where clergy — known as 'Workers', will go out in pairs and stay in the homes of followers."

According to Laura, this cultural behaviour and belief system have resulted in endemic levels of abuse by workers all around the world.

"As there are no formal registrations, it has been very hard for survivors to take legal action as no formal church or organisational registrations exist.

"Donations are all made in cash, and each state has an overseer who manages those donations," Laura explained.

"There is no available information on the group's structure, funds, employees. It is a highly secretive underground cult."

'Abuse was endemic.'

Abuse and grooming was endemic within the group, and Laura was no exception. 

"I was abused and groomed by several Workers as a young person," she said.

"Survivors knew that if we spoke out, our families could be excommunicated or shunned. I knew that saying something about the abuse and grooming was going to result in my family being ostracised, so I did not ever tell anyone."

Instead, Laura acted out, behaving in ways she believed would make it obvious that abuse was occurring.

"But I was framed as a problem, rather than any questions being asked." 

Fight for justice. 

Laura named the group during the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and applied to the National Redress Scheme for compensation as a result of abuses by Workers.

However, the group refused to engage for more than three years, claiming it was not an institution, and that it did not exist. Rather, members were simply part of a "loose group of like-minded Christians who worshipped in the home".

"Eventually, after significant pressure, they indicated they would agree to sign up… however, they still do not have a legal entity which can be used to sign up to the scheme."

The two Workers who abused Laura have since passed away, so there is no recourse for her outside the Redress Scheme. 

"Many survivors are too ashamed to speak publicly, take legal action or join the scheme.

"I am passionate about raising awareness of the coercive nature of the group — they're spiritually abusive. The ideology is that if you leave the group, you're going to hell. People are terrified to leave."

At 19, Laura was pushed out of the group for being a "non-conforming queer kid", in a manner that left her suffering from complex post-traumatic stress disorder. 

"I live with chronic pain, insomnia [and] anxiety as a result of being raised in the cult, and how difficult it was to leave and rebuild with no support network," she said.

To share her story and encourage others to speak out, Laura has launched a podcast called Truth 2x2 Cult Kids. 

"I want the group to be out of the shadows, to be talked about, known and named for the abuses it has allowed."

Feature image: Getty.

If this brings up any issues for you, contact Bravehearts, an organisation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse, on 1800 272 831.

For help and support for those with complex trauma, the Blue Knot Foundation is there to help. Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service provides specialist trauma counselling to adult survivors of childhood trauma including child sexual abuse.