Overview

• Reports of sectarian deviations in France have more than doubled since 2015, with health and well-being now accounting for 37% of cases, surpassing spiritual and coaching sectors.
• Miviludes has identified the proliferation of alternative therapies like Reiki and magnétisme in public healthcare settings, often lacking medical oversight.
• Fatal outcomes linked to dangerous practices, such as urinotherapy and extreme fasting, have been reported, particularly affecting vulnerable cancer patients.
• In 2024, Miviludes escalated its legal response, submitting 45 cases to prosecutors, up from 20 in 2021, targeting pseudo-therapists operating without recognized qualifications.
• A new partnership between the government and Ligue contre le cancer aims to secure patient care and combat sectarian practices in alternative cancer treatments.