Princess Anne Honours Surviving Universal UK Founder Rachael Reign at Daily Mail Inspirational Women Awards 2026

5 June 2026

Rachael Reign, recognised by the Daily Mail as one of the UK's leading experts on cultic and spiritual abuse and the UK's only Black specialist in the field, has been named one of five winners of the Daily Mail Inspirational Women Awards 2026.

On 3 June 2026, Rachael Reign, Founder and CEO of Surviving Universal UK, received the award from HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, during a ceremony held at St James's Palace in London.

The Daily Mail Inspirational Women Awards celebrate women from across the United Kingdom who have made an exceptional contribution to their communities and society. Reign was recognised for her pioneering work addressing cultic and spiritual abuse, a safeguarding issue that remains widely misunderstood despite its profound impact on individuals, families and communities.

In its coverage of the awards, the Daily Mail recognised Reign as one of the UK's leading experts on cultic and spiritual abuse and highlighted her position as the UK's only Black specialist working in this field.

Founded in 2022, Surviving Universal UK was established to address a significant gap in safeguarding provision. The organisation supports individuals affected by cultic and spiritual abuse through advocacy, education, research, public awareness campaigns and professional training.

What began as a survivor-led response to a hidden form of harm has since grown into an internationally recognised organisation, engaging with policymakers, safeguarding professionals, faith communities, researchers and survivors across the UK and beyond.

Today, Surviving Universal UK receives between three and five new referrals every week from individuals and families seeking support in relation to cultic and spiritual abuse, highlighting the continuing demand for specialist services in this area.

The award comes at a significant moment for survivors.

While public awareness of coercive control has increased considerably in recent years, many people affected by high-control groups continue to struggle to access recognition, support and appropriate safeguarding responses. Cultic and spiritual abuse often falls between existing frameworks, leaving victims without clear pathways to help.

For many survivors, the recognition of this work on a national stage represents more than an individual achievement. It signals growing awareness that cultic and spiritual abuse is a serious safeguarding issue that deserves professional attention, public understanding and meaningful policy discussion.

Speaking after the ceremony, Reign said:

"Receiving this award is an incredible honour, but more importantly, it is recognition for a community of survivors whose experiences have too often been overlooked.

For years, people affected by cultic and spiritual abuse have been told that what happened to them was too unusual, too complex or too difficult to understand. This recognition sends a different message. It says that these experiences matter, that survivors matter, and that this issue deserves to be taken seriously.

I hope this moment helps bring greater visibility to a form of harm that has remained hidden for far too long."

During the event, Reign had the opportunity to meet Princess Anne and discuss the work of Surviving Universal UK, including the organisation's efforts to improve safeguarding responses, amplify underrepresented voices and strengthen support for those affected by cultic and spiritual abuse.

The recognition follows a period of significant growth for both Reign and Surviving Universal UK.

In recent years, Reign's work has been featured by BBC Panorama, Sky News, The Guardian, Metro and other major media outlets. She serves on the National Working Group on Spiritual and Ritual Abuse (NWG SARA), contributes to national conversations on safeguarding and coercive control, and has advised professionals, organisations and policymakers on the realities of high-control environments and faith-based harm.

As awareness continues to grow, Surviving Universal UK remains committed to its mission of prevention, recognition and recovery, ensuring that those affected by cultic and spiritual abuse have access to the support, understanding and advocacy they deserve.

For survivors across the UK, this award represents an encouraging sign that conversations once confined to the margins are beginning to enter the mainstream.

And for a safeguarding issue that has remained hidden for far too long, that recognition matters.

About Surviving Universal UK

Surviving Universal UK is the UK's only culturally competent specialist organisation dedicated to addressing cultic and spiritual abuse. Through survivor support, professional training, research, policy engagement and public awareness work, the organisation exists to improve prevention, recognition and recovery for those affected by high-control and coercive environments.