Children of followers of the Unification Church and other religious organizations called on the government to enact legislation to protect them from abuse and set up consultation centers where they can seek help.
A farmer in Kochi Prefecture who blames the Unification Church for the breakup of his family said a church leader made an unwelcomed visit to tell him to stop talking to the media.
The Unification Church on Oct. 7 tried to stop a news conference being held in Tokyo by a former member who described the huge donations she and her parents had to make while members of what is now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.
The former member said that as a child she was forced to attend the church’s worship services and read its doctrine, and was banned from having romantic relationships.