Joaquin Phoenix's parents, John Lee and Arlyn, joined the Children of God cult in the 1970s, as per Esquire. The cult was led by a preacher named David Berg –- but who, as Vanity Fair reports, would call himself "Moses," perhaps indicating his character. Cults rarely admit they're cults, but there was a much deeper, much darker hidden reality to the Children of God. According to Gavin Edwards' biography "Last Night at the Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind," they encouraged incest, adultery, and very early sexual experiences in children, inviting them to "play" with each other after their bedtime prayers.

Phoenix never commented on exactly what he experienced as a very young child during his time, but his older brother River did. Apparently, River had his first sexual experience when he was only 4 years old: "But I've blocked it out. I was completely celibate from ten to fourteen." Joaquin Phoenix was only 3 when the family decided to leave the cult and head for the States once more (on a cargo ship going from Venezuela to Miami), but this doesn't mean that he wasn't subjected to trauma beforehand.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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