There is little doubt that sex abuse, and other forms of child abuse, have occurred in a handful of new religious movements. They should be investigated and prosecuted regardless of any religious motivation of the perpetrators.
Problems also exist about the definition, both legal and sociological, of child abuse.
Control-oriented countries such as France will use the children issue as still another tool for repression. Under this minimum level, the state can and should intervene in order to protect the best interest of the child.