Stop Mandated Shunning
Join Our Global Campaign
Help us to expose the harm of organised ostracism and set legal precedents against mandated shunning as a violation of human rights.
The worldwide impact of shunning on those leaving a religion
Mandated shunning affects millions of people around the world. While it is not widespread across all religions, but within high-control religious groups, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientologist, Exclusive Brethren, Bahai Faith, Amish and Ultra-Orthodox Jews, it is a common and often central practice.
From family separation to legal persecution, these statistics reveal the true scale and human cost of mandated shunning. But behind every statistic is a person who lost their family, their community, and their sense of belonging.
Sources: jwfacts.com, Pew Research Center, Pub Med, Prof. Kipling Williams (Purdue University)
mind-control religious groups practice mandated shunning in the United States alone. It is not an isolated phenomenon but a widespread control mechanism.
former Jehovah’s Witnesses alive today who are the victims of mandated shunning.
of Middle East and North African nations have laws criminalising apostasy (leaving one's religion). That's 22 countries.
of mandated shunning victims report losing contact with immediate family members.
of ostracism is enough to trigger measurable psychological distress
Number of participants across studies showing ostracism causes measurable psychological harm equivalent to physical pain
What is mandated shunning?
Mandated shunning occurs when an organisation forces its members to ignore and isolate former members, due to ideological or theological differences.
Our Mission
Stop Mandated Shunning works to expose, challenge, and criminalise the coercive practice of mandated shunning by high-control groups. Through research, legal advocacy, and with survivor support, we fight to protect human rights, ensure justice, and empower individuals to leave these groups without fear of isolation or harm.
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