The Victorian Inquiry: Cults & Fringe Groups

Content warning: This podcast talks about harms within cults and fringe groups, including coercive control, suicidality, suppression practices, grooming and sexual coercion. If you need support, please refer to the link to support services located at the bottom of the show notes.

The Victorian Inquiry: Cults & Fringe Groups

In this episode, I speak with Clare Heath-McIvor about a critical inquiry currently underway in Victoria, Australia, examining the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups.

The Victorian parliamentary committee leading the inquiry is exploring whether existing laws are sufficient to address the coercive tactics used by some groups. These tactics can cause serious emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, and even physical harm.

Importantly, the inquiry is not focused on religious or spiritual beliefs, but on harmful behaviours, particularly those that involve manipulation, control, or exploitation.

Clare and I discuss the significance of this inquiry, the growing public awareness of coercive control beyond intimate partner violence, and the importance of survivor voices in shaping meaningful legal reform.

Public submissions are now open for anyone impacted or concerned about these issues.

Make a Submission here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/submissions/

Guest Bio

Clare Heath-McIvor is a podcaster, writer, and survivor advocate whose work sees her examine the world of Evangelicalism, Dominionism, Christian Nationalism and High-Control Groups (cults). She is an estranged pastor’s kid and whistleblower whose upbringing saw her develop an all-too-intimate understanding of the worlds of homeschooling, parentified childhood, purity culture, fundamentalism and high-control religion.

Clare also co-runs the Victorian Cult Survivors Network, a survivor-led law reform and advocacy group called “Survivors of Coercive Cults and High-Control Groups.” She lives in Melbourne, Australia, where she raises two kids and runs a communications consultancy business while dreaming about one day having hobbies.

You can find her here:

https://linktr.ee/clareheathmcivor

http://clareheathmcivor.substack.comwww.x.com/clare_mcivor

https://bsky.app/profile/clareheathmcivor.bsky.social

Podcast: Unchurchable

Support Hotlines:

Link to all support hotlines in NSW, Australia: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/Pages/support-contact-list.aspx

Link to USA hotlines:

https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines

Contact me:

https://www.jaimesimpsoncounselling.au

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