I was born in 1970 into a strict Jehovah’s Witness family. Like many who grew up in high-control religious groups, my childhood was marked by isolation from the outside world and intense pressure to conform to the organization’s rules and expectations.
From a young age, I faced severe challenges within my family and religious community. I endured traumatic experiences that no child should ever have to face. Despite these hardships, I clung to my faith, hoping it would provide me with protection and a sense of belonging.
As a teenager, I began to see the harmful dynamics at play in my life. I tried to distance myself from my abusers, but I found little support within my religious community. At 17, I made the difficult and courageous decision to report my abuse to the police. That decision came at a great cost. I was disfellowshipped and expelled from the Jehovah’s Witnesses because they felt I shouldn’t have filed a complaint. This meant I was completely shunned by my family and everyone I knew. At just 18 years old, I found myself cut off from my entire support system.
The next decades of my life were filled with struggles as I tried to heal from my past while navigating a world outside the only one I had ever known. I faced challenges in relationships, with my mental health, and in finding stability, but through it all, I fought hard to protect and care for my children.
In recent years, I have found my voice as an advocate. I’ve bravely shared my story with researchers, media outlets, and support organizations. In 2022, I joined forces with The Foundation Against Watchtower Shunning (SAWS) to take legal action against the harmful shunning policies that continue to devastate lives.
My journey shows the profound harm caused by mandated shunning practices in high-control groups. By cutting off all support from family and community, these policies leave vulnerable individuals without resources at the very moment they need help the most.
While my story is deeply personal, it represents the experiences of countless others who have suffered under similar circumstances. I hope that my courage in speaking out has given a voice to those who cannot yet tell their own stories. By sharing these experiences, I hope to raise awareness about the damaging effects of shunning and work toward a world where no one has to choose between their family and their freedom.
If you or someone you know has been affected by mandated shunning, please know that you are not alone. There are support resources available at Stop Mandated Shunning.
If you want to read more of my story please click here.