For the first time, a funded academic study between The Open Minds Foundation and the University of Roehampton, London, is seeking to quantify the psychological harm of high-control religious group and the harmful effects of mandated shunning. This three-year research study seeks to gather stories and interviews from individuals affected by mandated shunning with the view to shaping the future of global legislation.
What is mandated shunning?
The act of shunning is to persistently ignore, avoid, or reject something, creating social and/or emotional distance. From a psychological perspective, it is considered social or mental rejection but despite the detrimental damage and impact, the practice is typically considered to be a normal part of social dynamics: individuals avoiding other individuals they don’t like.
The problem arises when shunning becomes mandated. Mandated shunning is commonly employed by high-control religious or ideological groups, forcing social isolation against its members. The very threat of total isolation creates a barrier to exit from the group, thus retaining control of their membership and preventing many individuals from leaving. Enforcing social ostracism for individuals who are deemed to be ‘non-conforming’ is giving rise to a worrying wave of psychological harm: this new research project seeks to investigate exactly this.
Innovative research
Only recently has mandated shunning arisen as an area of study, and one which has the power to change the legislation position forever. Recent court cases have likened mandated shunning to a hate crime. Unfortunately, individual cases are not enough, yet, to drive systematic legal change. But it is hoped that this research will provide the necessary change to implement the need for legal changes.
A violation of human rights
The objective of the study is to evaluate whether mandated shunning and coercive control practices constitute a violation of human rights. It aims to identify the specific elements that would be classified as criminal offenses. This research will offer strong evidence to inform policies and legislation to protect those who leave high-control groups and crucially provide adequate support for victims.
The research focuses 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.
Qualitative and quantitative research
Using both qualitative and quantitative methods by conducting interviews will help establish a baseline and a deeper understanding of the problem. Documenting the effects of mental health issues such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation among individuals who have experienced mandated shunning and the correlations between these experiences will provide valuable data for the study.
How can you contribute to this project?
- Donate: Your contribution will directly support scientific research and our legal efforts.
- Share your story: If you’ve ever been a victim of ‘mandated shunning’, possibly even as a “perpetrator” victim, sharing your story can help others understand the impact and support our cause.
- Participate in the survey: If you have experienced ‘mandated shunning’ click here and participate in our survey that will provide valuable data for our research.