“As a postgraduate student and researcher, I became aware of the profound impact of shunning. As a result of this research, I firmly believe that criminalizing mandated shunning is a crucial step towards mitigating its detrimental consequences and protecting the rights of individuals, families, and society as a whole.”

“Mandated Shunning has personally affected my family. It causes a lifetime of pain for both the victims and those who are forced to shun.”

“During the last forty years, I have personally observed over a hundred different scenarios where the damage was deadly or debilitating for people being shunned. Therefore, I am passionate about doing everything I can to stop mandated shunning and treat it as a crime.”

“I participated in mandated shunning, and it is the single deepest regret of my life. Not only did I shun my siblings, but I pressured and guilted my mother into shunning her beloved children as well. I hurt my mother so deeply, and now that she is gone I have to live with the pain I caused her and try my best to mend my family’s broken relationships.”

“Mandated shunning has been devastating to my family. It has led to attempted suicide, homelessness and displacement, loss of access to healthcare, disinheritance, severe mental health problems, and many broken relationships.”

“As someone who has personally endured the anguish of mandated shunning and witnessed its profound impact on numerous lives, my unwavering commitment lies in advocating for its recognition as a hate crime.”

“I am particularly concerned about the children of parents who practice mandated shunning in faith-based groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses. Government officials need to be more aware of this harmful practice in order to protect children.”

“In my work for the victim support association of the German-speaking region “JZ Help”, I am confronted every day with the unfortunate people who have been abused and abandoned by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Ostracism destroys families and human lives. It is time to act!”