Dear Mrs. Hunt,
During my time working as a teenager for the Church of Scientology London, I was subjected to manipulation, mental distress and at one point was forcibly held against my will, locked in a room and interrogated simply because I’d asked for support during a time of difficulty.
I am not alone in the abuse I suffered and dozens of fellow ex-Scientologists have spoken about their experiences at every level of the organisation, in every city in which it operates. For example, Danielle Chamberlin who was locked away as a child aboard Scientology’s ship The Apollo, and was later raped as a teenager at their UK headquarters in Sussex; and Claire Headley, who suffered neglect as a child and was later forced to have two abortions as an executive while working as an executive at the Church’s highest ranks.
In 1971, a government inquiry into Scientology found that its practices amount to psychotherapy and should therefore be regulated due to the dangers it presents to children. In 1984, High Court judge Lord Justice Latey ruled that Scientology is “corrupt, sinister and dangerous,” explaining “it is out to capture people, especially children and impressionable young people, and indoctrinate and brainwash them so they become the unquestioning captives and tools of the cult, withdrawn from ordinary thought, living and relationships with others.” And in 1999, the Charity Commission refused Scientology tax exemption on the basis it “does not benefit the public,” a stance it upheld in a letter I received in 2023.
Numerous books and documentaries have been published highlighting Scientology’s abusive practices across the globe such as John Sweeney’s BBC Panorama and the multi-Emmy award winning A&E series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which ran for three seasons.
As survivors, we are desperately seeking accountability for the abuse we suffered inside the Church, and awarding Tom Cruise with a BFI Fellowship is deeply insensitive and profoundly damaging to our fight for justice.
There is no doubt Tom Cruise is a high achieving and well-accomplished actor, but he is also a figurehead and chief spokesperson for the Church of Scientology – something which the media are often too afraid to mention due to their reputation for launching expensive litigation against anybody who dares to speak out.
Awarding Tom Cruise with a BFI Fellowship doesn’t just recognise his career achievements, it legitimises his role as a Scientology frontman and minimises the horrific stories of abuse that plague the Church.
In April, I wrote to the BFI expressing my concerns about the knock-on effect this will have on survivors, citing a recent article in The Observer describing how I have been the subject of a sustained campaign of targeted harassment as a result of speaking out. I explained how this decision celebrates somebody who benefits from the fruits of modern slavery and threats of forced familial disconnection and how it only enables further abuse to occur, away from public scrutiny.
As an ex-Scientologist, awarding Tom Cruise a Fellowship is a slap in the face and to say I am deeply offended would be an understatement.
Last month, The Times reported on a recent advertising campaign at one of London’s busiest Tube stations which promoted The Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation, a non-profit organisation set up to help those seeking to leave Scientology. This demonstrates the very real necessity that exists for people leaving the so-called religion to have support in setting up new lives away from the Church. This isn’t just a difference in opinion or a disagreement with beliefs, it’s about behaviours – and behaviours Tom Cruise is not only aware of, but supports and funds through multi-million dollar donations to the International Association of Scientologists.
Cruise is inextricably linked to Scientology’s senior leadership and is used as a publicity tool by executives to garner favour with local government officials. Former Mayors of East Grinstead, where the Church has its UK base, have been invited to Mission Impossible film premieres and former Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder once told the story of how Cruise was flown to the UK on his private jet to woo officials during their bid for UK charity status. He isn’t just guilty by association, he’s a crucial part of their propaganda machine. Scientology leader David Miscavige was Cruise’s best man at his wedding to Katie Holmes – a man Debbie Cook testified under oath physically beats his staff.
When will the BFI listen to survivors of abuse, and put their needs first?
I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to award Tom Cruise with a BFI Fellowship, not only due to the risk of reputational damage it presents to the BFI, but for the sake of the courageous survivors who are confronted with extraordinary challenges in their fight against a multi-billion dollar organisation that proactively attacks and harasses its critics in an attempt to silence them.
Cruise may have contributed significantly to the UK film industry, but that doesn’t negate the horrific trauma we as ex-Scientologists have suffered behind the scenes.
Kind regards,
Alexander Barnes-Ross
Ex-Scientologist, activist.
