<div><strong>Research Progress and a Humanitarian Honor for Stop Mandated Shunning:</strong>   We are pleased to share encouraging progress on the University of Roehampton’s mandated shunning research project.
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<div>The pilot phase of the quantitative study has been completed, substantial qualitative and quantitative data have been collected, and the research team is now preparing three peer-reviewed papers with the goal of submitting them by December 2026. The greatest current need is dedicated research time and research-assistant support to complete the analysis and prepare the findings for publication.
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<div>We were also deeply honored that Stop Mandated Shunning received the 2026 Herbert L. Rosedale Humanitarian Award at the International Cultic Studies Association conference in San Diego this month. This recognition strengthens our determination to document the harm caused by mandated shunning and help bring credible evidence to clinicians, safeguarding professionals, policymakers, and the public.
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<div>The research is well underway, but additional funding is urgently needed to move it from data collection to peer-reviewed publication. Every donation helps give the researchers the time and support needed to complete this important work. Thank you for standing with survivors and helping us build the evidence needed for meaningful change."My mother hasn't spoken to me in 14 years". Imagine being erased by your own family, simply because you don't believe the same things that they do.
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<div>More than 5,000 religious groups practice mandated shunning in the United States alone, using it as a widespread control mechanism to maintain their congregation.
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<div>Now, we're fundraising to continue a first-of-its-kind research programme designed to measure the psychological distress and physical pain that comes from mandated shunning, before we use the research to get global classification of mandated shunning as a hate crime. We can do it, but we need your help to fund it.
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<div>Here's why:
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<li>More than 5,000 religions use Mandated Shunning to control their congregation
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<li>65% of Middle East and North African nations have laws criminalising apostasy (leaving one's religion). That's 22 countries.
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<li>2-3 minutes of targeted ostracism is enough to trigger measurable psychological distress
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<li>66% of mandated shunning victims report losing contact with immediate family members
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<li>The numbers are huge: more than 1 million+ former Jehovah’s Witnesses alive today who are the victims of mandated shunning. That's just from one religion!
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<div>This practice devastates lives. It leaves people emotionally, socially, and financially abandoned. It often leads to depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and long-term trauma.
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<div>We believe mandated shunning should be a crime, and we’re actively working with world-class legal and mental health experts to make that happen.
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<div><strong>Groundbreaking Research to Challenge Mandated Shunning</strong>
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<div>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:
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<li>Exclusive &amp; Plymouth Brethren
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<li>Jehovah’s Witnesses
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<li>Scientology
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<li>Haredi Judaism
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<li>Amish &amp; Mennonites
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<li>Bahá'í Faith
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<div>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.
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<div><strong>What We’re Doing About It</strong>
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<div>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.
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<div>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:
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<li>Establishing legal precedent
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<li>Influencing policymakers and courts
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<li>Giving survivors a voice backed by credible data
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<div>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.
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<div><strong>How You Can Help</strong>
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<li>Donate whatever you can—every gift matters
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<li>Share this campaign with friends, family, and social media
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<li>Speak up—share your story or join our movement
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</ul>
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<div>Together, we can create a future where no one is forced to choose between their freedom and their family.
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<div>Thank you for standing with us,
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<div><strong>The Stop Mandated Shunning Team</strong>
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<div><em>Stop Mandated Shunning is a project of the Open Minds Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.</em>
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Anonymous

Stop Mandated Shunning

Martin Toms

Cynthia Trimble

Michael McKenna

Sabrina Birch

Mark Resczenko

Jody Whiting

Bri B

Josef Fendt

John Meulenberg

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