A landmark inquiry finds that current Victorian laws are not adequately protecting people who have survived cult-related group coercion. Reporting across major outlets says the inquiry recommends the Victorian government review possible legislative options to address gaps in the law, including the introduction of measures that would criminalise group-based coercion. The inquiry’s core finding is that existing legal protections have shortcomings when it comes to conduct carried out within structured groups, where coercive control may occur through collective pressure and manipulation. The outlets note that the recommendations focus on government action to assess how new offences could be drafted and implemented. While the reports describe the inquiry as prompting a review of law reform pathways, they do not provide additional detail in the shared summaries about specific proposed offences, penalties, or timelines. The consistent message is that law reform is being urged to strengthen safeguards for survivors and to better deter and address coercive conduct linked to cult or similar groups in Victoria.