"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.
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.
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.
Here's why:
- More than 5,000 religions use Mandated Shunning to control their congregation
- 65% of Middle East and North African nations have laws criminalising apostasy (leaving one's religion). That's 22 countries.
- 2-3 minutes of targeted ostracism is enough to trigger measurable psychological distress
- 66% of mandated shunning victims report losing contact with immediate family members
- 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!
This practice devastates lives. It leaves people 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 actively 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:
- Exclusive & Plymouth Brethren
- Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Scientology
- Haredi Judaism
- Amish & Mennonites
- Bahá'í Faith
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:
- Establishing legal precedent
- Influencing policymakers and courts
- Giving survivors a voice backed by credible data
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
- Donate whatever you can—every gift matters
- Share this campaign with friends, family, and social media
- Speak up—share your story or join our movement
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.
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