Is the Church of Scientology Guilty of Human Trafficking?

Recently, increasing national attention has centered around allegations that the Church of Scientology has abused and exploited workers to the point of making them slaves. A lawsuit filed against the Church and its leader last month, claiming that the Church is guilty of human trafficking, is only the most recent of several lawsuits against organized Scientology. It seems those who protest Scientology aren't all Guy Fawkes masks and Rick Astley songs anymore -- they're making serious accusations of slavery. But does the Church of Scientology traffic workers?

Not surprisingly, information about the connection between Scientology and trafficking is spread across the Internet in a decentralized and disorganized manner. There are message boards with photos of spike-tipped fences that surround Scientology compounds and testimonials from former members. But few respected news sources have covered these accusations with any depth. Is that because, as the Church of Scientology claims, these human trafficking accusations are just attempts to discredit a legitimate religious organization? Or is it because, as Scientology protesters claim, the Church has intimidated people into silence? After the jump is a video compilation of testimonies from people describing the working conditions they faced as workers at the Church of Scientology. Stay tuned for more.

The accusations that are made in the video -- working long hours with wages withheld, feeling threatened, isolation from family and friends, etc. -- are certainly descriptive of exploitative labor conditions. But do they meet the legal definition of human trafficking in the U.S.? And, more importantly, are they true? One of the key differences between a situation of human trafficking and an exploitative or abusive work situation is whether or not the victims were able to leave. On one hand, most of these workers were educated people with families and support networks, and they were living in areas they were familiar with. On the other hand, they have reported having their passports held, and being threatened with isolation from their families and being "run down" and held accountable for trying to leave. There are classic elements of human trafficking in the ex-Scientologists' stories.

If the accusations made in the video and lawsuit are true, even if they don't meet the legal definition of human trafficking, then they certainly indicate a high level of exploitation, abuse, and wage violations for workers. But their truth is something a court, or as seems to be increasingly the case, many courts will decide. Either way, I would hope the leaders of any religious institution would respond to charges like this by conducting their own internal investigation to ensure none of their workers are being exploited.

Human trafficking can happen anywhere, even within religious institutions. If you suspect human trafficking in any religious organization, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888 or your local police department.

Photo courtesy of Sir Mildred Pierce's Flickr photostream.