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Shen Yun, Linked to Falun Gong, Faces Two Decades of Abuse Allegations

Aug 16, 2024, 01:50 PM

Shen Yun Performing Arts, a prominent international dance company associated with Falun Gong, has been accused of abusive practices spanning nearly two decades, according to a New York Times investigation. Former performers and instructors have alleged a pattern of mistreatment by the group's leaders, including discouragement from seeking medical care, manipulation, and indoctrination. The investigation revealed that performers were subjected to grueling schedules and emotional abuse, with strict control over their personal lives. Some performers, many of whom were teenagers, were reportedly treated as expendable commodities, facing threats and humiliation. The report also highlights instances of extreme dieting, where performers' weights were monitored, and those deemed overweight were publicly shamed. The group's leaders reportedly framed each show as an urgent spiritual mission, warning that those who spoke out would face dire consequences.