Woman who grew up in English village with no crime or debt shared her account of living there

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide and self-harm which some readers may find distressing.

A simple life is what a lot of people desire, but growing up in a community where no one has any belongings or salaries can come with its downsides.

There are 24 Bruderhof communities across the world as of 2024, with all of its residents following the same traditional lifestyle.

Translating to the 'place of brothers', the Bruderhof was founded as a pacifist movement in Germany during 1920.

People that are part of of the movement follow the beliefs and traditions of early Christians, as they have no possessions and share incomes.

Members of the Bruderhof have spoken in the past of how it is 'not a cult', highlighting the many positives of the lifestyle.

There are currently two communities in the UK, with one in East Sussex and another in Kent.

The latter is called Beech Grove, which is located just half an hour from Canterbury and is home to 230 members.

Since moving to England in 1936 to avoid being captured by the Nazi party, the community have lived following their original values, with aspects like head coverings for women necessary to 'avoid clothing that indicates status or wealth as well as anything provocative or sexualised'.

It may sound like a good deal at first, considering you get a job, free housing, free clothes and free education for your kids.

But back in 2020, some former members of the Bruderhof came forwards and made allegations against the community.

Speaking to the BBC, a woman whose name has been changed to Samantha claimed that her upbringing at Beech Grove led her to believe that she 'was evil' and that 'demons were going to come flying out' of her.

The Bruderhof community, Darvell, in East Sussex (Bruderhof)

Samantha alleged that she has been left scarred by the Bruderhof as they 'drummed' certain beliefs into her.

She claims that she started to self-harm at just nine years old, in a desperate 'way to escape' life in the community.

Having grown up as part in one of the Bruderhof's villages, she opened up on how she took the community's teachings on sexual morality and the role of women in their society.

Aged 22, she said she tried to take her own life.

Samantha alleged that she even underwent what she calls an 'exorcism', with elders from a commune in the US present to assist with something called a 'laying on of hands' prayer ceremony.

She explained that old men surrounded her to pray, as her confusion and fear grew, adding that she thought: "Was I going to spew forth loud words?

"There was nothing to drive out of me… there were no demons," she recalled, as nothing happened.

Samantha says that she was 'exorcised' while living at Beech Grove (Bruderhof)

Commenting on her claims previously, the Bruderhof said that calling it an 'exorcism' was far off the mark, explaining that the ritual was done for those that were ill, though it wasn't done as a replacement for medical care.

The community also claimed that Samantha was under treatment from external consultant psychiatric specialists while part of Beech Grove.

Samantha is among a number of other former members who have also made bold allegations against the Bruderhof, as young people are also shielded from using modern technology such as phones and using social media.

Following Christian tradition, sex outside marriage is also prohibited.

Speaking about its beliefs, the Bruderhof explained that it had a 'clear commitment to sexual morality'.

LADbible has contacted the Bruderhof Community for comment.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.