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The ending of Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult did not really feel like an ending. As we discovered within the new Netflix documentary, forms and the USA authorized system don't present a transparent path to justice in terms of cults.
Over the course of the three-episode collection, the Wilking family fights to reconnect to their estranged daughter, Miranda Derrick, a preferred social media dancer who's believed to be a member of a non secular cult led by Shekinah church pastor Robert Shinn. They describe how Shinn allegedly took management of their daughter—and a slew of different Los Angeles dancefluencers—by way of a shady administration firm tied to his church.
The Wilkings are joined of their battle by different determined mother and father and former Shekinah Church members, who shared harrowing tales of sexual, emotional, and monetary abuse by the hands of Shinn and a few members of his household. Sadly, because the documentary factors out, it is extraordinarily onerous to dismantle a cult as a result of they're not illegal in and of themselves. As a substitute, victims should come ahead with particular felony accusations or sue for monetary compensation.
Regardless of Shekinah survivors like Priscylla Lee going to the police with accusations of sexual assault and abuse, no fees have formally been filed towards Shinn. In reality, Shinn filed a lawsuit towards Lee and a bunch of former 7M dancers for extortion and defamation in October 2022. In accordance with CNN, the group has since filed “a cross-complaint" against Shinn, his wife, and other high-ranking members of the church for “fraud, forced labor, and human trafficking.” Shinn can also be being sued for sexual battery. The lawsuit is not scheduled to go to trial till 2025.
In the meantime, the Wilkings nonetheless have restricted contact with Miranda, although it is unclear if that may proceed now that the documentary has been launched. Miranda, her husband James “BDash” Derrick, and others dancers related to 7M have limited their comments sections because the collection dropped on Might 29. Nick Raiano, whose mother and father have been additionally featured within the doc, seems to have deleted his Instagram account, @imraino.
Dancing for the Satan director Derek Doneen says Shinn and the dancers have been conscious the documentary was coming and that their mother and father participated. He does not know if they are going to be allowed to look at it.
“We don't even know if they’re gonna watch it—if Robert will let them watch it, or if they'll watch it on their own. I have no concept as to what exposure they’re going to have [to the documentary] and what they’re going to think," Doneen recently told Glamour in an in-depth interview about the series. “My hope is that they watch it. And my hope is that they just see that this is coming from a place of love, and that the humanity sort of breaks through whatever else might be clouding their ability to make a rational decision when it comes to their family.”
So with all the pieces left up within the air, many are questioning if Netflix will order a follow-up to the three-part collection. The reply seems to be…possibly. Doneen instructed Glamour that whereas he retains in touch with the doc's individuals, it “remains to be seen” if that may result in “additional production.” For that to occur, there must be a major replace with the lawsuit, a felony case towards Shinn, or a serious replace from the dancers who're nonetheless believed to stay underneath Shinn's thumb.
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