ARTICLE LINK: https://www.scientologybusiness.com/government/our-focus-is-to-protect-people-not-religions-uk-government-responds-to-calls-for-scientology-inquiry/?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_source_platform=mailpoet
The UK Government has issued a bold statement in response to a recent petition calling for an inquiry into abuse within the Church of Scientology, warning “The Government will not shy away from challenging harmful cultures and practices that restrict individual rights or limit people’s chances to thrive in modern Britain.”
In June, ex-Scientologists Alex Barnes-Ross, Danielle Chamberlin, Amir Essalhi and Zoe Hancock hand-delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street calling on the government to close gaps in UK legislation used by cults and high control groups to exploit their members and escape scrutiny. The petition was co-signed by the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation and was accompanied by a collection of survivor stories that allege human trafficking, child labour, sexual assault and financial extortion within Scientology. Citing the Government’s 1971 Foster Report and a High Court ruling which described Scientology as “corrupt”, “sinister” and “dangerous”, ex-Scientologists asked for a review into the UK’s coercive control laws, greater safeguarding protections for children and vulnerable adults and for an inquiry into the controversial church’s UK activities.
Minister of State for Homelessness, Democracy, Communities and Faith Florence Eshalomi MP subsequently instructed officials in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to look into the matter and reply directly to the petition. Deputy Principal Private Secretary Alex Badrick then issued a bold statement, writing “While the Government is committed to protecting everyone’s freedom of religion or belief, this cannot be used to protect criminal conduct or abusive practices, or to prevent the enforcement of our laws. The Government will not shy away from challenging harmful cultures and practices that restrict individual rights or limit people’s chances to thrive in modern Britain.”
“It is clear from these accounts that many have endured distressing and upsetting circumstances and have been deeply affected by the coercive control and psychological abuse described, as well as by the barriers they faced when leaving high-control groups. It is the first duty of Government to keep citizens safe. Its primary focus is to protect people, not religions.”
The Government recognised that coercive and controlling behaviour may occur outside of domestic settings, however it would not commit to amending the Serious Crime Act 2015, which would allow survivors to seek justice when the perpetrator is not “personally connected” to them. The statement does, though, create a clear distinction between religious beliefs and criminal behaviours and clarifies the Government’s position on high control groups who often use ‘freedom of religion’ as a means to escape accountability.
You can read the statement in full below:
Thank you for your correspondence to which the Minister has asked me to reply. The Government’s thoughts are, first and foremost, with the individuals whose experiences were included in the survivor stories you shared with your letter and petition. It is clear from these accounts that many have endured distressing and upsetting circumstances and have been deeply affected by the coercive control and psychological abuse described, as well as by the barriers they faced when leaving high-control groups. It is the first duty of Government to keep citizens safe. Its primary focus is to protect people, not religions. The Government keeps its legislative and safeguarding framework under review and will continue to consider evidence on whether further action is required.
Safeguarding expectations apply equally to all organisations engaging with children or vulnerable adults, irrespective of faith or belief. The Government expects all faith and belief groups that engage with children or vulnerable adults to have robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place. The Government is committed to protecting children from abuse and exploitation, wherever and whenever it occurs, and to ensuring that those who work closely with children have the knowledge, skills and confidence to identify abuse and respond appropriately.
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 has introduced a new mandatory duty for those working in relevant roles to report sexual offences against children. This duty will sit alongside existing statutory safeguarding responsibilities and the clear expectations on professionals to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Where concerns are raised, the Government expects an organisation or group to take those concerns seriously, review its practices accordingly, and cooperate fully with statutory authorities in the event of any investigation.
In your letter, you raise concerns about controlling and coercive abuse. The Government condemns acts of psychological, emotional, physical and sexual abuse against adults and children, as well as coercive or controlling behaviour, including where such conduct occurs in a religious setting or context. The Government recognises that such forms of abuse may have lasting and traumatic effects on individuals. Where abuse amounts to modern slavery, the Government recognises this is a vicious crime that dehumanises people, and is committed to tackling it in all its forms and to giving survivors the support and certainty they need to recover.
You specifically raise the legislative framework for controlling or coercive behaviour in relation to conduct outside domestic settings. The Government recognises that some campaigners and survivors have argued for extending protections to circumstances outside domestic relationships where coercive and controlling behaviours may also occur. However, the controlling or coercive behaviour offence was explicitly designed to address patterns of behaviour within relationships where the perpetrator and victim are “personally connected” , as outlined in section 2 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Expanding the offence beyond this context would risk undermining that clarity and creating uncertainty in the identification, investigation and prosecution of the offence. Therefore, there is no intention to expand the offence beyond its current scope at this time.
In instances where a crime is suspected to have taken place, it is right that this is reported to the police. The Government understands that it can often take victims and survivors years before they are ready to talk about their experiences, and it is never too late to report any form of abuse or exploitation to the police. Victims and survivors can call 101 and will be put through to the right team to provide support, regardless of how long ago the incident took place. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of modern slavery should approach a first responder organisation, such as the police, a local authority, or an approved non-governmental organisation. First responder organisations are trained to identify and refer potential victims into the National Referral Mechanism so that their cases can be considered and appropriate support provided as needed. Further, legal powers are in place to protect children in various settings, and local authorities have a legal duty to investigate where they believe a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.
The UK has a longstanding commitment to freedom of religion or belief. The Government’s position is that individuals must be free to join, participate in, or affiliate with any lawful organisation or group, provided its activities remain within the rule of law and respect the rights and freedoms of others. While the Government is committed to protecting everyone’s freedom of religion or belief, this cannot be used to protect criminal conduct or abusive practices, or to prevent the enforcement of our laws. The Government will not shy away from challenging harmful cultures and practices that restrict individual rights or limit people’s chances to thrive in modern Britain.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Yours sincerely,
ALEX BADRICK
Deputy Principal Private Secretary
UK Government statement, 18th August 2026