The Sikh Helpline supported a caller who spoke out about the pressure she was receiving from people of different faiths trying to manipulate the minds of the individual through cunning and deceitful methods. See below the story she has shared to help raise awareness in the community, and highlight that forced religious conversion can take place anywhere, and within any communities too and within groups and from people who we have trust in. The Sikh Helpline are sharing this real case study testimonial provided by the victim, to raise this awareness and help to educate the community on such issues.
Testimonial (Real Case Study):
Several years ago, I unfortunately met some very cunning and manipulative people who were very convincing. They made me believe that the way they were living and behaving was the right way for me to live. They were my friends, I trusted them. As conversations grew deeper, they convinced me so much that I turned against the values of my family. Without realising it I broke all relationships with all the people who truly cared for me. I left my parents, my siblings and my future partner. These people knew exactly what they were doing and the reason they turned me against my loved ones was so that they could control me and my mental state. I did not realise at the time, I was being groomed. I was so absorbed in to their way of thinking, through their manipulation and methods for getting into my head. I had been bought up by my family with my moral and religious values, but I did not know a lot. They used this against me as a weapon and made me think and question everything I had been taught in a way that I had never before, and things began to play on my mind.
The things they were telling me and making me do went against everything that I had been taught about my faith from my family; I was so lost due to their manipulation. As time went on my life was changing but not for the better, they were slowly mentally breaking me down and controlling all aspects of my life. I had nowhere to turn, my family and loved ones were no longer there to support me, so I spoke to some baptised friends, and I approached my local place of worship about this matter. I explained the things that were happening to me and what I was being told about my faith. But no one seemed to take this matter seriously, the people at my local place of worship just laughed at me and thought it to be ridiculous. I knew what I had seen and heard but no one wanted to listen to me and all I wanted to do was to stop people from going through the mental torture that I was being put through.
Eventually a very good friend of mine listened to me, and empathized with the mental torture I was going through and knew I needed help. They put me in touch with the Sikh helpline who took this matter very seriously. The Sikh helpline listened to me when no one else did, when I was telling them about what had happened to me and the actions I took as a result of the manipulation ,they did not judge me for my actions and were completely unbiased and judgmental. Speaking out to the Sikh Helpline, allowed me to share my problem, and speak to someone who actually cared. This was a great relief to know and I did not feel scared or lost anymore I was able to freely speak about my problems and I know I was not been frowned or looked down upon. The Sikh helpline were very understanding and respectful and responded well, they began an investigation to the claims I had made about my experience with these people.
The Sikh helpline put a lot of time and effort in to the investigation and remained impartial and no judgments were made until full proof was available. The Sikh helpline was very supportive and eventually solved the issue by putting a stop to it. Having an understanding of cultural and social taboos, they understood why it was so difficult for me to speak out. They handled my issue very sensitively. They met with senior community members to ensure the truth and risks to others was highlighted and amongst the groups concerned. I thank the Sikh helpline with all my heart, they have helped me get through the most difficult time of my life and they have saved many other people from going through the pain and the suffering that I had to experience, but also there are many other unknown victims who also went through the same torture.
DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR TO YOU? ARE YOU OR SOMEONE WHO YOU KNOW GOING THROUGH THIS OR SOMETHING SIMILAR? PLEASE DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE HERE TO HELP AT THE SIKH HELPLINE, 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. PLEASE CONTACT US USING ONE OF THE METHODS ON OUR CONTACT US PAGE.