Freedom means the ability to change religion freely, say legal experts. But in reality, the moment I leave, I lose everything: my elderly parents, my siblings, my uncles, and every friend I have ever known. People I have helped, people I have been through struggles with, people I have trusted with my life—they will abandon me. The moment I walk away, my entire life will be erased.

That’s the experience of Matthieu, a former member of the Jehovah’s Witness, who experienced the sect’s strategic approach to shunning as their method for retaining control. Oft dismissed by these groups as typical family dynamics, the difference between “shunning” and “mandated shunning” is defined by whether the group employs shunning as a strategic tactic to retain control of its membership. Matthieu’s experience was harrowing, but he is certainly not alone: A significant proportion of established religious and political groups employ mandated shunning to retain control.

For the first time, an academic research study is seeking to quantify the actual harm caused by the practice, gathering stories and interviews from individuals with a view to shaping the future of global legislation, and thereby protecting future generations. A funded partnership between The Open Minds Foundation and the University of Roehampton, London, is embarking on a study of the harmful effects of mandated shunning over the next three years. Focused most closely on high-control religious groups, the research will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of mandated shunning.

Defining mandated shunning

The act of shunning is to persistently ignore, avoid, or reject something, creating social and/or emotional distance. Psychologically, it is considered social or mental rejection, but despite its impact, the practice is typically considered to be a normal part of social dynamics: Individuals avoiding other individuals they don’t like. Siblings taking umbrage with each other’s behavior. Friends parting ways over a major disagreement. And they are right; while uncomfortable and potentially damaging, shunning is a natural reality, albeit a typically immature one.

The problem arises when shunning becomes mandated. Mandated shunning is a practice commonly employed (and always denied) by high-control groups as a method of retaining control of their membership. The very threat of total isolation from everyone and everything you hold dear creates a barrier to exit from the group, and is significant enough to prevent many individuals from leaving. This method of enforcing social ostracism for any member of the group deemed to be ‘non-conforming’ or ‘disobedient’ is giving rise to a worrying wave of psychological harm; this is what the research project seeks to investigate.

Pioneering an investigation

Despite its obvious psychological and social impact, only recently has mandated shunning arisen as an area of study, and one which has the potential to change the legal position forever. A wave of recent court cases have likened mandated shunning to a hate crime, and gains are being made in challenging these groups. But individual cases are not enough, yet, to drive systemic legal change, so it is hoped that this research will provide the necessary evidence to highlight the need for legal changes across the globe.

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate whether mandated shunning and coercive control practices constitute a violation of human rights. The research aims to identify specific elements that would be classified as criminal offenses, including crimes against humanity. By extending the existing body of literature, this study will offer robust evidence to inform policies and legislation to tackle this form of abuse, protect those who leave high-control groups, and provide adequate support for victims.

Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods for comprehensive analysis, initially interviews will be used to establish a baseline understanding of the problem. The study will work to document the prevalence of mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation among individuals who have experienced shunning. Additionally, it will explore the correlations between these experiences and specific mental health outcomes, as well as demographic influences on these impacts.

The research will focus on six high-control groups known for practicing mandated shunning, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientologists, Ultra-Orthodox Jews, Exclusive Brethren, the Amish, and the Bahá’í. Testimonies from former members of these groups will provide valuable data for the study.

The group is now calling for individuals to take the survey, or to tell their story, as a contribution to this critical body of work.