About

"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!"

"I exerienced the trauma of being disfellowshipped, not once, but twice. Watch Tower's cruel policy of mandated shunning ultimately led to the heartbreaking loss of my parents and my children, pushing me to the brink of suicide. I advocate for an end to the harm caused by this barbaric practice."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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 have lost a lot of things because of mandated shunning: a loving family, material possessions, trusted relationships, and a sense of who I was. But, I have also lost the blinders from my eyes, the shackles on my mind and the muzzle on my mouth. And for that, I am eternally proud and grateful."

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

"Jehovah's Witnesses have created a system, a cobweb, in which family is used as a weapon. Mandated shunning is a clear violation of human rights."

"As the spouse of a disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witness, I have seen the damaging effects of a fractured family. The heinous and cruel practice of mandated shunning causes two of my husband’s four beloved adult children to refuse to speak to or acknowledge this decent loving father. Mandated shunning is a hate crime that must end."

"Mandated shunning has affected my family to its detriment, causing early death, unnecessary dislocation, fractured familial bonds, and uncalled-for shame. It is mandated abuse."

"I am a Post Cult Recovery Therapist in the UK. I am currently doing doctoral research exploring the therapy experiences of those born and raised as a Jehovah's Witness, who leave as an adult. I recognise the unique form of grief that comes with being shunned from your community. As a second or multi generation ex member, this leaves you completely disconnected from the only community you knew, essentially treated as if you were already dead. You of course, are not dead, you are very much alive. The the process of restarting a life is often complex and painful, and nobody should be made to experience such an extremity."

"Shunning is severe violence that leads to serious consequences such as loss of health, and tragically, even death. Children are particularly vulnerable and should be protected from this type of organized bullying. Shunning violates basic human rights such as freedom to choose one’s religion, because for fear of punishment, people are not free to leave a religious group if this means losing their parents, grandparents or children. Governments have a duty to protect their citizens from various forms of harm, including organized ostracism." 

"Mandated shunning is the metaphorical billy club used by Watchtower leaders to enforce compliance with their controversial policies on the use of blood products. Even children under the age of ten are routinely baptized and expected to adhere to intricate regulations that even adult Jehovah's Witnesses (JW's) struggle to comprehend. Young ones have been meticulously groomed for martyrdom since infancy and are well aware that any JW who fails to observe the policy, or questions it, is subject to ostracism and institutional bullying. I personally bore the solemn duty of carrying the casket of a young JW who lost her life due to this policy, and I've encountered many similar cases. Conservatively, more than 1,200 JW's perish each year as a direct result of Watchtower's draconian policies."

"As a former member of a high control religion that practices mandated shunning I have been subjected to its deleterious and evil effects. The ramifications of being shunned had profound negative impact on the mental health and emotional well-being of myself and many of my family members as well as close friends. This practice, in my view, constitutes a form of emotional cruelty and is incompatible with the principles of empathy, love and compassion that form the bedrock of human connection. I firmly believe and ardently hope that such a terrible practice should and will be unequivocally condemned and prohibited."