维多利亚州议会法律和社会问题委员会就邪教和极端组织问题提交了调查报告，提出39项建议，其中最关键的是在该州制定法律禁止群体内的强制控制行为[1]。调查建议维多利亚州政府应在2029年前将群体强制控制行为定为犯罪，并由维多利亚法律改革委员会在两年内审查具体的立法选项[1]。
这份报告还包括多项配套措施，涵盖对在家教育的审查、儿童保护培训以及为离开高控制群体人员提供支持等内容[1]。调查采用了基于行为的方法，将重点放在强制和控制行为本身，而非宗教或意识形态信念上[1]。本次调查收到317份陈述意见[1]，维多利亚州政府现有六个月时间对这些建议作出正式回应[1]。
A parliamentary investigation into cults and high-control groups in Victoria, Australia, has put forward 39 recommendations, with a central proposal to criminalize coercive control practices within organizations in the state.[1] The inquiry recommends that Victoria's Law Reform Commission examine legislative options within two years, with the goal of establishing criminal offenses for group coercive control by 2029.[1]
The recommendations extend beyond criminal law to encompass a broader framework for protection and intervention.[1] They include measures to review homeschooling practices, implement child protection training, and provide support services for individuals departing high-control groups.[1] The inquiry, which gathered 317 submissions from stakeholders, adopted a behavior-focused approach that concentrates on coercive and controlling conduct rather than targeting particular religious or ideological beliefs.[1]
The Victorian government has been given six months to formally respond to these recommendations.[1]