Prosecution Policy—"Deprogramming" of Religious Sect Members

The Criminal Division has received a substantial number of complaints from members of various religious sects alleging that they have been abducted by their parents or persons acting on behalf of their parents for the purpose of "deprogramming."

It is a general policy of the Department not to become involved in situations which are essentially domestic relations controversies. If a parent abducts his/her adult child from a religious sect, accompanies that child throughout the "deprogramming," and there is no violence or other aggravating circumstances, these facts would weigh against Federal involvement. However, if violence or other aggravating circumstances exist, particularly where professional "deprogrammers" are involved, criminal prosecutions should be pursued if the evidence warrants.