But, it’s when those beliefs translate – routinely, and as a matter of policy and doctrine – into the abuse of people, that I start to think something needs to be done about them. Here’s just one recent example to illustrate my point:

Laura DeCrescenzo was 9 years old when she started working at the Scientology “Org”. At age 10, Laura was a full-time staff member. At 12, her parents signed over guardianship of Laura to a Scientologist and she left her home in New Mexico and moved to California to join Scientology’s elite Sea Organisation. She signed a contract to serve for one billion years.

She married at 16 and at 17, Laura was coerced into having an abortion. The “church” told her that to have the child she was pregnant with would be “out-ethics”, a Scientology term meaning “unethical”, because it would interfere with her work for the Church.

Finally, in 2004, Laura took a swig of bleach to make the Scientologists think she was suicidal. The ploy worked and it allowed Laura to escape without undergoing the lengthy and tortuous procedure of “routing out”.

On April 2, 2009, Laura DeCrescenzo filed a complaint against the Church of Scientology International, claiming:

1. rescission of unlawful and fraudulent contracts;
2. unpaid wages and breaches of labor laws;
3. discrimination and invasion of privacy, including illegal use of lie-detectors on staff;
4. human trafficking;
5. intentional infliction of emotional distress; and
6. obstruction of justice.

The suit follows two others alleging labor law violations, coerced abortion and human trafficking issued in January 2009 by Marc and Claire Headley.

Unfortunately, Laura’s story is not unusual for children – and adults, for that matter – in Scientology. There have been plenty of law suits through the decades. But still Scientology continues to abuse its staff. It’s happening now. In America.

Sources:

Laura De Crescenzo’s Story told by AP Journalist Jonny Jacobsen

Laura De Crescenzo’s Complaint filed April 2, 2009.

Laura’s Story as originally told at whyweprotest.net.

Marc Headley’s Amended Complaint.

Claire Headley’s 2nd Amended Complaint.