Victoria Takes a Stand: Parliamentary Inquiry Shines Light on Coercive Control in Religious Groups

A long-overdue spotlight is finally being cast on the dark underbelly of some religious groups in Victoria. The Victorian Parliament has launched a landmark inquiry into the coercive recruitment practices and ongoing psychological control exerted by high-demand religious organisations—marking a significant step forward in protecting vulnerable individuals from spiritual abuse and manipulation.

This parliamentary inquiry into coercive control in religious groups, follows years of advocacy by victim-survivors and researchers, and will have a particular focus on recruitment and retention. At the heart of the investigation lies the troubling reality that not all spiritual communities are safe havens; some are meticulously orchestrated systems of psychological domination and oppressive manipulation that masquerades as faith.

Beyond the Stereotype of “Cult”

The public has a tendency to imagine stereotypical depictions of cult-like control with fringe sects or Hollywood-style doomsday groups. But this inquiry recognises that coercion can occur within mainstream religious organisations, sometimes hidden behind polished exteriors and established reputations.

As reported in The Age and Women's Agenda, groups like the Geelong Revival Centre have come under scrutiny, with former members describing experiences of spiritual gaslighting, social isolation, and behavioural manipulation. Individuals who left the group reported being ostracised, labelled backsliders or traitors, and psychologically broken down under the guise of divine authority.

What Is Coercive Control in a Religious Context?

Coercive control is often associated with intimate partner violence, but its application within religious contexts is increasingly being recognised by experts. In such settings, subtle forms of control can take the form of things like:

• Isolation from family and friends

• Doctrines used to justify obedience and self-sacrifice

• Spiritual threats (e.g., hell, divine punishment) to enforce compliance

• Manipulation of guilt and shame

• Control over marriage, finances, education, and even medical decisions

  
  

Recruitment tactics used by high-demand or manipulative groups often rely on deception and psychological manipulation to attract and retain new members. One common method is deceptive proselytising, where recruiters misrepresent their true beliefs, affiliations, or intentions during initial contact. They may present the group as benign, secular, or broadly spiritual in nature—downplaying or entirely omitting the more extreme or controversial aspects of their doctrine. Withholding key information is another tactic, designed to delay full disclosure until the recruit is emotionally or socially invested. At that point, it becomes harder for the individual to walk away without consequence or discomfort.

Peer pressure also plays a significant role, as recruits are often surrounded by enthusiastic group members who shower them with attention, love-bombing, and a sense of belonging. This manufactured intimacy can create an emotional dependency before the individual is even aware of the group’s true nature.

In some cases, false identities are used to prevent recruits from conducting accurate research. For example, a group member might use a pseudonym or avoid mentioning the group’s real name altogether, making it difficult for curious individuals to find credible outside information or critical testimonies. More elaborate strategies include the creation of front groups—seemingly unrelated organisations or events such as art exhibitions, yoga classes, meditation workshops, or modelling auditions—which act as gateways to the larger movement. These fronts are intentionally designed to attract specific demographics and disarm skepticism, allowing the group to begin its influence campaign under the guise of something innocuous or appealing.

Through this layered process of concealment and gradual exposure, new members are slowly introduced to the group's ideology and control mechanisms—often without realising how deeply enmeshed they have become until they are already psychologically committed.

Survivor Voices Lead the Way

Central to the inquiry are the brave testimonies of former members—many of whom are only now coming to terms with the long-term psychological damage they endured. As ABC News highlighted, their stories underscore the importance of naming this behaviour for what it is: abuse.

Former Geelong Revival Centre member Linda (name changed) shared how members were taught not to question leadership and to cut off non-believing family members. She described years of emotional suffering and self-doubt, stating, “You leave, and you're told you'll go to hell. That plays on your mind.”

These stories echo patterns that researchers and psychologists have identified in coercively controlling religious environments: dependency, fear, loss of autonomy, and identity erosion.

Toward New Legal Protections

One of the most promising aspects of this inquiry is its potential to pave the way for legislative reform. Victoria has already made strides in recognising coercive control within domestic settings. Now, the goal is to extend that understanding to cover organisational and institutional abuse—including religious groups.

While religious freedom remains protected in Australia, freedom of religion is not freedom to abuse. The inquiry does not seek to interfere with genuine religious practice, but rather to establish a legal framework to hold groups accountable when they cross the line into exploitation, harm, and psychological captivity.

Why This Matters

This inquiry represents a seismic shift in how we understand religious abuse—not as a niche issue, but as a public health and human rights concern. For survivors, it signals a long-awaited validation. For researchers and advocates, it offers hope for policy that reflects the complexities of spiritual abuse. And for current members trapped in coercive environments, it may one day be a lifeline.

It’s time Australia caught up with the growing global awareness of coercive control in all its forms. This inquiry is a powerful step toward exposing manipulative religious systems, supporting survivors, and ensuring the law offers protection where faith has been weaponised.

Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry Coercive Control in Religious Groups

If you’ve experienced spiritual abuse or coercive control in a religious setting and would like support contributing to the inquiry, look out for the Facebook group "Victorian Cult Survivors Network". Alternatively, subscribe to the Recover From Coercive Control newsletter to stay informed.