Help Us Stop Mandated Shunning

Imagine being erased by your own family—not because you harmed them, but because you no longer share their beliefs.

This is the harsh reality of mandated shunning, where high-control religious organizations force their members to cut off anyone who dares to question or leave the group.

“My mother hasn’t spoken to me in 14 years. My siblings pretend I don’t exist. All because I stopped believing what they believe.”— Survivor of mandated shunning

This practice devastates lives. It leaves people—especially children, parents, and the elderly—emotionally, socially, and financially abandoned. It often leads to depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and long-term trauma.

We believe mandated shunning should be a crime, and we’re working with world-class legal and mental health experts to make that happen.

Groundbreaking Research to Challenge Mandated Shunning

To fight this injustice, Stop Mandated Shunning, in partnership with the University of Roehampton and the Open Minds Foundation, is launching a first-of-its-kind research study. This critical project will document the devastating effects of mandated shunning. The study will focus on faith-based communities known to practice mandated shunning, such as, but not limited to, the:

The data we gather will serve as irrefutable evidence in courtrooms, legislative efforts, and advocacy campaigns to challenge the legality of mandated shunning and push for real change.

What We’re Doing About It

The Stop Mandated Shunning initiative brings together global experts, legal professionals, survivors, and activists. Our goal is to gather evidence, raise awareness, and push for legal reform—country by country.

We’ve partnered with the University of Roehampton London, where psychologists Dr. Savin Bapir-Tardy and Dr. Windy Grendele are conducting the world’s most comprehensive three-year study on the harm caused by mandated shunning. This research is critical to:

We are also working closely with attorneys, mental health professionals, and other advocacy organizations to bring mandated shunning into the spotlight—and ultimately, to make it a punishable offense under the law.

How You Can Help

Together, we can create a future where no one is forced to choose between their freedom and their family.

Thank you for standing with us,

The Stop Mandated Shunning Team

Stop Mandated Shunning is a project of the Open Minds Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.