The Victorian Cult Inquiry Recommendations with Patrick McIvor

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

The Victorian Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee has published their final reports from the Parliamentary Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups, which commenced in April 2025. There are two parts, Volume 1: ‘Crossing the line’ and Volume 2: ‘In their words’. They set out 39 Recommendations which the Victorian Government now has six months to respond to. In this interview episode, lead author of the Beyond Belief submission and advocate Patrick McIvor shares his insights into the landmark report which includes a recommendation of criminalising group-based coercive control, and what the next steps will be.

If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via internationalculticstudies.org).

EPISODE LINKS

• Reports from the Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups — Parliament of Victoria

• Patrick McIvor — Patrick's website

• Beyond Belief — Inquiry submission, 31 July 2025 (plus Sarah's submission here, 29 July 2025)

• SOCCHG — Survivors of Coercive Cults and High Control Groups

• Stop Religious Coercion Australia — website, Facebook group, TikTok and Instagram

• Victorian Cult Survivors Network — Facebook group