Nora Crest, 39, alleges she was subjected to a hard labour punishment in the Rehabilitation Project Force, which former members say is the equivalent to a Scientology prison.

Nora says she spent three years in RPF, and claims she suffered multiple injuries, including three broken ribs while she lived in poor conditions.

She tried to escape several times, and even attempted suicide.

She told MailOnline: ‘It was the most horrific time of my life. I was battered and bruised, pushed around and nearly died trying to leave the Church and all because I had the audacity to desire another woman.

‘I was brainwashed into believing I’d done wrong and had to live in horrific conditions for three years before I was finally allowed to leave.’

Nora felt she had to speak out so others wouldn’t be treated the same way. Before she was sent to RHP in Southern Carolina, Nora was a member of the Sea Org, a branch of dedicated Scientology.

She worked as a teacher at a Scientology school and then started working as a church recruiter. Nora was given a position at the Celebrity Centre in Los Angeles, where a lot of Scientology’s high profile members attend.

While in the Sea Org, Nora dated a few guys, but because of the church’s strict rules, she was prevented from having sex before marriage.

But then she fell for a female roommate. She kept the relationship a secret, and even staged relationships with boyfriends to cover it up.

When other Sea Org members realised what was going on, Nora claims she was sent for interrogation.

Both Nora and her girlfriend were put on cleaning and construction work before being sent to RPF in March 2000.

Nora claims the place was hell and she was made to feel she’d done something wrong and was always being watched.

She tried to escape several times, and even tried to drink bleach to kill herself, her entire body started convulsing and her throat swelled up.

She was taken to hospital to recover. When Nora was released from hospital she claims she was requested to sign a nondisclosure agreement that prevented her taking legal action against or publicly criticising the church.

The 39-year-old is now happily married to husband Cameron, also a former Scientologist, and the couple have two children.

Metro.co.uk have contacted the Church of Scientology about Nora’s allegations, although they are yet to comment.