Petition · Ministry of Justice
Recognise Cultic Abuse in Statutory Safeguarding Guidance
Open for signatures
469 signatures
What the petition asks
Update statutory safeguarding guidance to explicitly recognise cultic abuse alongside other forms of abuse, with clearer guidance for identification, response and referral across children’s and adults’ safeguarding frameworks.
Survivors of cultic abuse can experience coercive control, isolation, financial exploitation, emotional harm and safeguarding risks to children and vulnerable adults.
Because cultic abuse is not explicitly recognised in statutory guidance, we think professionals can often miss risk indicators or dismiss concerns. We think explicit inclusion would improve early identification, professional responses, and access to protection and support.
Because cultic abuse is not explicitly recognised in statutory guidance, we think professionals can often miss risk indicators or dismiss concerns. We think explicit inclusion would improve early identification, professional responses, and access to protection and support.
Timeline
| 6 Feb 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
469
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
6 Feb 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.