A CANBERRA woman has given a tearful account of how the Church of Scientology allegedly coerced her to have two abortions, as a fresh attempt was being made for a Senate inquiry into the organisation.

Senator Nick Xenophon's effort to get an Upper House inquiry into the tax-free status of religious groups, including Scientology, failed last week, when both Labor and the Coalition voted against it.

The Senate will tomorrow vote on an inquiry with revised terms - looking at alleged abuse in the church, and whether criminal, consumer protection and occupational health and safety laws are adequate to deal with its practices.

It will not examine Scientology's beliefs, following concerns an inquiry would impinge on religious freedom.

Senator Xenophon believes his bid could be successful.

"I'm confident that my colleagues are thinking more deeply than they did a week ago," he said today.

His efforts were backed by former Scientologist Janette Lang, who spoke out for the first time about her ordeal with the church.

Ms Lang says she was a Scientologist for 13 years, after falling pregnant at age 20 to a man who had recently been recruited to the organisation.

Her boyfriend's Scientologist bosses coerced them into terminating the pregnancy, she alleged.

"We fought for a week, I was devastated, I felt abused, I was lost and eventually I gave in," she said, fighting back tears.

"It was my baby, my body and my choice, and all of that was taken away from me by Scientology."

The pair married and had two daughters, but Ms Lang's husband was sent to the US to train as a spiritual counsellor.

"While he was over there, I was forbidden to contact him," she said.

"After a year, we agreed to a divorce."

As a full-time employee of the church, Ms Lang alleges she earned $2000 a year and was sometimes forced to work until 2am, with her two daughters asleep in the office.

After her divorce, she fell pregnant to another Scientologist and the church threatened her with excommunication if she didn't have another abortion.

"My children would not be able to see their father, I would not be able to see my sister and I was told I would get cancer and die," she said.

"(Prime Minister) Kevin Rudd and (Opposition Leader) Tony Abbott: please don't let us suffer in silence."

The Church of Scientology rejected Ms Lang's claims, saying it did "not condone nor force anyone to undertake any medical procedure whatsoever".

Church spokeswoman Virginia Stewart questioned why Ms Lang was making the allegations at a press conference: "These are serious claims and rightly should be reported to the police immediately. We would cooperate fully with any investigation of persons allegedly involved."

The allegations of coerced abortions, separation from family members and workplace law breaches by the Church of Scientology echo others that have been aired in recent weeks.

Canberra couple James and Liz Anderson, whose story was featured on the ABC's Four Corners program, also fronted reporters today.

The couple is seeking meetings with both Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott ahead of the Senate vote.

They and other former Scientologists plan to make themselves available to parliamentarians outside Parliament House tomorrow.

Update: May 2012 - A letter from the Church of Scientology

On 17 March 2010, you ran a story entitled Scientologists forced me to have two abortions, ex-disciple says, reporting allegations made against the Church of Scientology by SA Senator Nick Xenophon and a former Church member, Janette Lang (nee Vonthethorff).

The Federal Police conducted a thorough investigation into these allegations and concluded there was no evidence to back them. The AFP has discontinued its investigation.

I ask that your organisation now place on file the corrected information to ensure this falsehood is never repeated

The facts are:

* Senator Xenophon declared in the Senate (Hansard, March 18, 2010) that the Church of Scientology forced former Church volunteer, Ms Janette Lang (nee Vonthethorff) to have two abortions against her will.

* This was categorically denied by the Church. The Church provided evidence to the Senate Privileges Committee as part of documentation concerning numerous false statements uttered by the Senator. We also responded to media questions.

* It should be noted that the Senator made no attempt at any time to verify this damaging and false accusation before putting it on the public record and to the national media, including your organisation.

* The Australian Federal Police (AFP) subsequently investigated the matter and concluded the investigation. The official findings of December 9, 2010, stated:

“Over the past few months, continued investigation has been unable to progress this matter further.

“Of note, no criminal offences have been identified, all reasonable lines of enquiry have been exhausted and it is recommended that the investigation be finalized.”

Please see the attached document obtained from the AFP under Freedom of Information.

* Additionally, after the AFP investigation was completed, Senator Xenophon failed to correct the Parliamentary record and rescind his unverified accusation.

* This was a very serious accusation and deserved a correction at least when it was found to be untrue. The Senator’s Chief of Staff was dealing directly with Ms Lang and was aware of the conclusion of the investigation.

It is not Church policy nor practise to counsel expectant mothers or any of its staff on what to do with their own bodies and it does not advise on any medical procedures, including abortions. This is between an individual and their doctor.

Indeed, at no time was the Church even aware that Ms Lang was pregnant. Ms Lang only advised members of the Church of her abortions after the event. Pertinent to this issue, she has three children and two of her children were born while she was a religious volunteer with the Church of Scientology.

Like many parishioners of any religion, Ms Lang has made her own personal choices and acted of her own free will independent of her religion and her Church.

Virginia Stewart,

Church of Scientology Australia

