Jehovah's Witnesses and child sex abuse

As with other religious organisations, Jehovah's Witnesses have been obliged in recent years to develop child protection policies to deal with cases of child abuse in their congregations.Details of the policy have been published in Jehovah's Witnesses publications and press releases issued by their Office of Public Information. [ [http://www.jw-media.org/vnr/2122827332/713173.htm Press Release] ] [Letter to All Congregations in Britain, July 11, 2002] Some details are found only in letters to elders which, while confidential, have been made available on the internet.

Jehovah's Witnesses' Child Abuse Policies

The Watchtower Society, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in New York City is the main legal entity used by Jehovah's Witnesses religious faith; It is often referred by them as The Society or The Organization. This organization usually holds copyrights to literature published by Jehovah's Witnesses, which is considered by it members as current doctrine, policy and 'the direct channel of communication with Jehovah God.' ['The Watchtower is the direct channel of communication with Jehovah God': [http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/index.php/watchtower_quotes/present-truths/channel/] ]

In recent years, Jehovah's Witnesses have published information on how to protect children from sexual molestation. This includes articles such as [http://www.watchtower.org/e/19931008a/article_01.htm "Protect Your Children"] in the October 8, 1993 edition of "Awake!" magazine, the article [http://www.watchtower.org/e/19970808/article_03.htm Help Your Children to Thrive] in "Awake!" of August 8, 1997 and the series "Keep Your Children Safe" in the November 2007 edition of "Awake!" magazine and chapter 32 of a book for children entitled "Learn from the Great Teacher." These articles focus on prevention by helping children understand what sexual abuse is, to say no to molesters and to tell their parents about attempted abuse. Jehovah's Witnesses' policy does not apply solely to those holding appointed positions, but to everyone associated with the organization. [A letter about child abuse to Jehovah's Witness congregations stated: "Everyone in the organization is expected to meet the same requirements, namely, to be clean physically, mentally, morally and spiritually." Letter to all congregations in Britain, July 11, 2002]

Two Eyewitnesses Policy

Jehovah's Witnesses' congregational judicial policies require having the testimony of two eyewitnesses to establish a perpetrator's guilt in the absence of confession. [ [http://www.jw-media.org/region/global/english/backgrounders/e_molestation.htm Position on child molestation] ] This requirement is based on a number of Biblical passages (Deut. 17:6; Deut. 19:15; Matt. 18:15; 2 Cor. 13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19) that refer to matters being established at the mouth of two or three eyewitnesses. The Watchower public information department specifies that this two-eyewitness policy concerns only how the congregation handles the sin and not whether the matter is reported to the authorities. The requirement of two eyewitnesses to establish an accusation is claimed to be a protection against malicious accusations of abuse.Fact|date=February 2008 To establish proof by two eyewitnesses, it is not necessary that both have been present at the same instance of child molestation. Starting in 2002, statements by two victims could be accepted. [Letter to All Congregations in Britain, July 11, 2002] Jehovah's Witness spokesmen state that if two persons are eyewitnesses to separate incidents of the same kind of wrongdoing, their testimony may be deemed sufficient to take action [Jehovah's Witnesses Office of Public Information, Press Release "Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection," 2003. Elders' 1991 textbook: "If there are two or three eyewitnesses to the same kind of wrongdoing but each one is eyewitness to a separate incident, their testimony can be considered. Such evidence may be used to establish guilt". "Pay Attention to Yourselves", page 111] and internal sanctions imposed.

In cases where there is only one eyewitness, the victim, to an allegation of child abuse, elders are instructed to 'monitor' the accused very closely. If there is some valid reason to suspect that the alleged perpetrator did abuse children, a 'warning' will have to be given (to the congregation for its protection). ["The Watchtower", November 1, 1995, page 28] Testimony based on one person's repressed memories is not considered reliable enough to form the basis for an internal action. Repressed memories are not viewed as true or false, simply as insufficient proof. Elders are encouraged to treat persons reporting this type of memory with kindness [ [http://www.watchtower.org/e/19951101a/article_01.htm The Watchtower, November 1, 1995, page 28] ] and dismiss the case unless further proof is found.

It is important to note that the two eyewitnesses policy is applied solely to congregational discipline and has no bearing on whether the crime is reported to the police, which is most often the case. This is due to fact that elders have no professional training in child sex abuse investigation or forensic science. Evidence given by forensic experts/police is acceptable as a second "eyewitness".

Three year rule

Crucial to legal actions taken against the Watchtower Society has been the “Three Year” rule. This allowed for known sex offenders to continue serving as elders, provided any known offenses were committed at least three years prior to confession. The 1972 book "Organization for Kingdom-Preaching and Disciple-Making" stated:

“If a person was serving as an elder or a ministerial servant when he committed a serious wrong, even though it was some years ago, he bears a degree of reprehensibility, for he continued to serve in that position though knowing that he had, for the time at least, disqualified himself, not being then “free from accusation.” (1 Tim. 3:2, 10; Titus 1:6,7) He should have informed the judicial committee that he did not adhere to the requirements and should have stepped down from his position. In view of his failure to do this at that time, he would now be removed from that position.”

The term “some years ago” was clarified shortly afterwards in "Our Kingdom Ministry" October 1972, p.8, as a time period of three years:

“What was meant by “some years ago” on page 170, paragraph two, in the “Organization” book?This indicates more than a year or two. It may be noted that it did not say “many years ago.” So it is not the exact number of years, but more like two or three years. It was not intended to have a brother go back into the distant past to bring up wrongs of which he repented years ago and that have evidently been forgiven by Jehovah and are not practiced now.”

This position was clarified in 1991 two-day Kingdom Ministry Schools to exclude ones involved in child sex abuse.Fact|date=February 2008 In the 2005 Kingdom Ministry Schools that it was clearly stated that hidden acts of “porneia” (sexual sins) such as "internet sex" were to require an internal judicial committee and if these involved child would be treated as child sex abuse. Any case of child sex abuse would prevent a person from ever qualifying for any position of responsibility (such as elder or ministerial servant) in the congregation. Fact|date=February 2008

Questioning the Victim

Elders have specific direction to follow if a child reports abuse such as not ask probing or intimate questions. This is very important as it has legal implications. Elders are instructed that however surprising the allegations, the elder should not indicate disbelief in any way. Nor should he express any criticism of the complainant. [Letter to All Bodies of Elders in Britain, December 1, 2001] In fact, elders are 'spiritual shepherds' and are not qualified to investigate or evaluate an allegation of child abuse. The Watchtower Society claims that abused victims are not required to face their abuser to make an accusation and it was only in 1998 that elders were advised that if children are victims of molestation, the victims should not be required to confront the accused. [ Victims may make their accusation by letter or telephone if they prefer. [http://www.watchtower.org/e/19951101a/article_01.htm "The Watchtower", November 1, 1995, page 28] ] [Pay Attention to Yourselves, page 118-19]

Whether to seek help from a counselor or other mental-health professional is considered to be a personal decision for the victim (or parents) to make but victims are advised to ensure that any counselor consulted will respect the Jehovah's Witness doctrine. ["Awake!", October 8, 1991, page 9; "The Watchtower", September 1, 1996] Likewise, elders are instructed that there are times when an emotionally distressed member may seek professional help. Whether or not a victim pursues treatment from psychiatrists, psychologists or therapists is a personal decision as long as the therapy does not conflict with their religious doctrine. [Letter to All Bodies of Elders, March 23, 1992]

Congregation Discipline

Jehovah's Witnesses have a disciplinary system that applies to "all" congregation members who commit child abuse, not merely to employees. [ [http://www.jw-media.org/region/europe/britain/english/releases/beliefs_practices/bri_e020714.htm Child Protection Policy in the UK] ] In the UK, elders are now instructed to investigate promptly all allegations of child molestation, although they have no professional training to do so. Policy states that child sex victims urgently need to be protected from further abuse, and abusers need to be prevented from finding additional victims. [Letter to all Bodies of Elders in Britain, December 1, 2000] This would involve having two elders investigate allegations of child abuse and, if these are deemed to have a sound basis, forming an internal judicial committee. At this point, the accused is relieved of all positions of responsibility in the congregation.

Anyone found to have sexually molested a child and failing to demonstrate repentance is to be disfellowshipped (excommunicated) from the congregation. [Organized to do Jehovah's Will, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2005, page 153] Numerous Jehovah's Witnesses who have committed child molestation have been subjected to disfellowshipping, a strong sanction that is virtually unknown in most other faith-based groups. – See " Cases of abuse" below.

Those judged repentant by a committee of elders are given 'public reproof'. Their names are announced to the congregation, although their crime is not announced. [Organized to do Jehovah's Will, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2005, page 152-3] Some time later, a talk is given to the congregation, discussing the type of sin and the need to be on guard against it, although this time nothing is said to connect the person to the type of sin committed. ["The Watchtower", December 1, 1976, page 735] ; This sidesteps the acknowledgment that child sex abuse sins are crimes. For a considerable period of time those reproved in this way are not permitted to participate in meetings by commenting in group discussions or making presentations from the platform. ["The Watchtower", September 1, 1981, page 27] They are immediately debarred from serving in any appointed position in the congregation, usually for life (see below for exceptions).

Restrictions to Child Molesters

Former child molesters, including those who molested children before becoming Jehovah's Witnesses, those eventually reinstated into the congregation after being disfellowshipped and those who were deemed repentant are subject to a number of symbolic restrictions, which normally remain in place permanently. The policy is rehashed in this 1997 "Watchtower" article: "For the protection of our children, a man known to have been a child molester does not qualify for a responsible position in the congregation. Moreover, he cannot be a pioneer or serve in any other special, full-time service." ["The Watchtower", January 1, 1997, page 29] According to an internal document sent out in 2002, former sex offenders are not assigned to read paragraphs during congregation studies, and are not assigned even minor responsibilities in the congregation, such as practical duties in the Kingdom Hall (looking after microphones, supplying members with books or magazines) and not offering public prayer. The person's home may not usually be used for congregation meetings. [ [http://thirdwitness.com/childabuse/Privileges.html Jehovah's Witnesses Child Abuse Policy -- Dispelling the Myths] ] Those known to have engaged in child molestation in the past are not permitted to participate in the congregation's house-to-house preaching, unless accompanied by a responsible adult. According to the Watchtower Society spokesman J. R. Brown, sex offenders are restricted from working with minors and must also be with a well-respected congregation member when they go door to door. [Louisville Courier-Journal, 1-4-01.] Commenting on the effect of these symbolic restrictions, Jehovah's Witness legal representative, Mario Moreno is quoted as saying that because of the organization's structure, the fact that a sex offender, who would have fewer rights in the congregation, would alert members that 'he obviously lacks spiritual maturity.' [Paducah Sun, January 28, 2001] A fax sent by the Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information to the producers of the BBC's Panorama TV program stated that at least twenty years must have passed before an individual who committed an act of child sex abuse could even be considered for appointment to a responsible position in the congregation, if ever. [Fax sent to Betsan Powys, BBC Panorama, May 9, 2002] If a former child abuser moves to another congregation, elders from the previous congregation must send a letter to the new congregation's elders, outlining his background and providing needed cautions, [ Our Kingdom Ministry, October 1999, page 7] but only if that abuser currently is still under the symbolic 'restricted privileges'. Also, under no circumstances are previous communications from the organization's Branch Office regarding the abuser to be forwarded [ "Letters of Introduction", to All Bodies of Elders, July 1, 2006 ] and except for the elders, the new congregation members remain unaware to the abuser's criminal past.

Reporting Policy

Since in recent years the Jehovah's Witnesses religion has been exposed for numerous child sex abuse scandals and their headquarter, the Watchtower Society, was forced to develop detailed child abuse policies to be released to the public media and to their congregations; As an example here is a press release from 2003: "The elders may be required by law to report even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to the authorities. If so, we expect the elders to comply." [Jehovah's Witnesses Office of Public Information, press release "Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection," 2003] The "Watchtower" magazine has outlined the following policy: "Depending on the law of the land where he lives, the molester may well have to serve a prison term or face other sanctions from the State. The congregation will not protect him from this." [ [http://www.watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm "The Watchtower", January 1, 1997, page 29] ] The policy followed is, as stated in a 2002 memo to their congregations: "Our position is that secular authorities deal with crime while elders deal with sin." [Letter to All Congregations in Britain, July 11, 2002] If there is no mandatory reporting requirement, the victim or anyone else must not be discouraged from reporting it. In Great Britain, elders have now been instructed that "all in the Christian congregation will want to consider their personal and moral responsibility to alert the appropriate authorities in cases where a serious criminal offense of this type has been committed, or there exists a risk that one may be committed." [To All Bodies of Elders in Britain, December 1, 2000]

In Canada, the following advice is provided to elders: "There is a duty to report when one has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that there is abuse or a substantial risk of abuse and parents have failed to protect the child. The report shall be made forthwith to the local child welfare authorities. […] Elders must be aware, however, that once they have knowledge, they have an obligation. They cannot just hope that someone else will report. They must follow through quickly, and be sure that it is done." [To All Bodies of Elders in Canada, July 29, 1988]

In 2000, elders in Great Britain were instructed: "The elder approached must encourage the complainant to consider his or her responsibility to report the matter to the authorities without delay and should also explain that he himself might have a duty to report the matter to the proper authorities." [Letter to All Bodies of Elders, December 1, 2000] "The Elders' Manual" states: "Though it is not the responsibility of the Christian congregation to enforce Caesar's laws, the very nature of some crimes demands that they be reported to secular authorities." [Pay Attention to Yourselves, page 138] A 1995 memo to elders stated: "When a member of the congregation is accused of child molestation, the elders should contact the Society's Legal Department immediately. Many states make it mandatory that elders report an accusation to the proper authorities but other states do not. In those states where such is required, oftentimes the parent, the guardian, or the accused person himself can do the reporting." [To all Bodies of Elders in the United States, August 1, 1995]

"The New York Times," though, has commented: "The shape of the scandal [in Jehovah's Witnesses] is far different than in the Catholic church, where most of the people accused of abuse are priests and a vast majority of the victims were boys and young men. In the Jehovah's Witnesses, where congregations are often collections of extended families and church elders are chosen from among the laypeople, some of those accused are elders, but most are congregation members. The victims who have stepped forward are mostly girls and young women, and many accusations involve incest." [Laurie Goodstein, [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501E3D7123AF932A2575BC0A9649C8B63&scp=11&sq=jehovah%27s+witnesses&st=nyt Ousted Members Say Jehovah's Witnesses' Policy on Abuse Hides Offenses] , "The New York Times," August 11, 2002.]

Reporting to Civil Authorities

The effective direction given to congregation elders may be summed up as follows: child abuse is reported only if required by law. Therefore, reporting sexual abuse is often difficult for members, who weigh their loyalty to their religion against that of law enforcement. The Biblical injunction against taking fellow believers to court (1 Corinthians 6:1-6) has consistently been explained in the Watchtower magazine publications as having to do with civil or business disputes, but there are numerous claims and lawsuits stating that it has been applied to criminal cases, which prevented reporting child molestation to civil authorities. The Biblical injunction against taking fellow believers to court (1 Corinthians 6:1-6) has consistently been been used during civil or business disputes, but there are numerous claims and lawsuits stating that it has been applied to victims of child sex abuse.

In an attempt to draw the least attention possible from the media, congregation elders are now required to first contact the organization's legal department in such cases to establish whether there is a legal duty to report the sex crime to the civil authorities or not. In recent law suits where it was claimed the Watchtower Society failed to report child sex abuses, the Watchtower Society's defense lawyers argued that it is a confidentiality protected by "ecclesiastical privilege." This “ecclesiastical privilege” means that the Jehovah's Witness going from door-to-door to talk about the Bible may in fact be a known sex offender among his elders, but has never been prosecuted by the law. [Non-disclosure, an ecclesiastical privilege: [http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/wt95.htm] ]

Even where there is no statutory requirement for elders to report a crime, they are now instructed to not discourage the victim (or their relatives) from reporting it, but the elders are still not required to report the crime themselves, as The "Watchtower" stated in 2005: "The victim has every right to report the matter to the police. In this way the proper authorities can punish the offender. And if the victim is a minor, the parents may want to initiate these actions." ["The Watchtower", August 1, 2005, page 14]

By doctrine, the Jehovah's Witnesses handle all matters internally, which in recent years prompted accusations and lawsuits of a systematic sex offender cover-up. Therefore recent policies sent to elders in 2002 state: "Child abuse is a crime. Never suggest to anyone that they should not report an allegation of child abuse to the police or other authorities. If you are asked, make it clear that whether to report the matter to the authorities or not, is a personal decision for each individual to make and that there are no congregation sanctions for either decision. That is, no elder will criticize anyone who reports such an allegation to the authorities". [Letter To All Bodies of Elders in the United States, February 15, 2002] This has been the Watchtower Society's position since at least 1993, when a memo to elders stated: "It is also a personal decision if the alleged victim chooses to report such accusations to the secular authorities." [Letter To All Bodies of Elders in the United States, February 3, 1993]

Particularly since around 2000, the Jehovah's Witnesses organization has been accused of covering up cases of child molestation committed by their members. In February 2001, Christianity Today – an evangelical journal that also disagrees with the theological perspective of Jehovah's Witnesses - printed an article reporting allegations that Jehovah's Witness policies made reporting sexual abuse difficult for members, and did not follow legal norms on the issue. The article also included a response by Jehovah's Witness representatives.

The BBC reported on the controversy around Jehovah's Witnesses child abuse in July 2002, in the "Panorama (TV series)|Panorama" program "Suffer the Little Children" [cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/2114320.stm | title=Suffer the Little Children | author="Betsan Powys | last=Powys | first=Betsan |date=July 14, 2002] Jehovah's Witnesses headquarters published their response to many of the allegations made in the program, the substance of which is found in the article [http://www.jw-media.org/region/global/english/backgrounders/e_molestation.htm Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection] on their official website.

According to Witness spokesman J. R. Brown, "Jehovah's Witnesses are not required to report crimes to elders before calling civil authorities. Victims and their families are free to call police at will, he said, although some don't choose to." [ Tubbs, Sharon (Aug. 22, 2002), [http://www.sptimes.com/2002/08/22/Floridian/Spiritual_shunning.shtml "Spiritual shunning"] , "St. Petersburg Times".] It is apparent that victims or their relatives must report the abuse, rather than the elders doing so. A circular sent to elders in the USA stated: "In those states where such is required, oftentimes the parent, the guardian, or the accused person himself can do the reporting. In this way the confidentiality protected by ecclesiastical privilege is not violated." [To all Bodies of Elders in the United States, August 1, 1995]

The Watchtower Society still refuses to change their policy and report "all" child abuse cases to the authorities automatically. Elders are instructed that reports should be made to the police only if required by law. [ On one occasion, Witness elders encouraged a perpetrator to hand himself in to the police: [http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=641356 "A clergyman from the Jehovah's Witness church urged him to go to the police."] ; [http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/content/twm/news/story.aspx?brand=westonmercury&category=news&tBrand=westonmercury&tCategory=znews&itemid=WeED29%20Aug%202007%2012%3A49%3A48%3A470 "Advised sensibly" by the elders to go to the police.] ]

Current Watchower's policy requires that the elders first contact their legal department for instructions on child abuse. Resistance to contact police stems from their position that an automatic reporting policy to the police would entail reporting abuse that took place decades ago, even when the molester is repentant or rehabilitated. The current policy also prevents an automatic reporting to police claiming to avoid overriding the objections of the victim over confidentiality. When in court, the Watchtower Society's legal defense effectively has claimed that such reporting to the authorities violates the confidentiality of confessions made to the elders and violates their "freedom of worship."

Another common criticism is the policy on having the testimony of two eyewitnesses to establish a perpetrator's guilt. This requirement is allegedly based on a number of Biblical passages that refer to matters being established at the mouth of two or three eyewitnesses. The Watchower public information department claims that the two-eyewitness policy concerns only how the congregation handles the sin and not whether the matter is reported to the authorities. This policy is felt to be a protection against malicious accusation of sexual assault. A serious problem with this policy is the fact that elders have no professional training in child sex abuse investigation or forensic science, and even if found guilty, there is no guarantee the elders will report the crime to the authorities, only to the Watchtower Society.

Jehovah's Witness Sex Offender Database

The Jehovah's Witness headquarters, the Watchtower Society , requires all local congregations to submit details of child abuse allegations and maintains a database on all cases of child abuse reported to them. Watchtower Society representative J. R. Brown stated in May 2002:
*"We do not apologize for keeping such records here in the United States. Apart from being legally needed, they have been very helpful to us in our efforts to protect the flock from harm. Christian parents can rightly feel secure in the knowledge that such efforts are made to screen out possible child abusers from appointment to responsible positions within the congregation." [Fax from J. R. Brown, Office of Public Information, to Betsan Powys, dated May 9, 2002.] The Watchtower Society has repeatedly refused to submit this sex offender database to authorities, claiming confidentiality based on "ecclesiastical privilege". The American victim rights organization known as Silent Lambs figures this secret sex offender database names 23,720 Jehovah's Witnesses. [ [http://www.silentlambs.org/courtrulingnapa.htm Silent Lambs.] Database names 23,720 men: [http://www.randytv.com/panorama.htm Panorama documentary: "Suffer the Little Children"] .]

Lawsuits Against the Watchtower Society

Although numerous lawsuits have been filed in recent years, to date there has been no court decision against the Watchtower Society or any other legal agency used by Jehovah's Witnesses for negligence in a child abuse case, as the Watchtower Society opts to settle payments out of court.

In one case, however, a woman named Vicki Boer was awarded $5,000 against the Watchtower Society of Canada. [ [http://www.thirdwitness.com/childabuse/boering.html An analysis of the Boer case ] ]

In 2002, Erica Rodriguez filed a suit in the US District Court in Spokane, Washington. Manuel Beliz was convicted of abusing her and was sentenced to eleven years' imprisonment for his crime. (After, he was also disfellowshipped from the congregation.) In her suit, Rodriguez sought unspecified damages from Beliz for her abuse, and also from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. The case against the Watchtower Society was dismissed on September 17, 2003. [ [http://thirdwitness.com/childabuse/GarzaRodriguez.html Information about Rodriguez case] ]

In 2003, Heidi Meyer alleged that her pleas concerning sexual abuse were dismissed and that this is a widespread problem. [cite news
last = Clayson
first = Jane
coauthors =
title = Another Church Sex Scandal
work =
pages =
publisher = CBS News
date=2003-04-29
url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/29/eveningnews/main551557.shtml
accessdate = ] However, her case against the Watchtower Society was summarily dismissed by the court. [ [http://www.thirdwitness.com/childabuse/othersuits.html Information about Meyer case] ]

Dateline broke the news on television with a program called “Witness for the Prosecution” in May 2002. That program is still available via the Internet. ["Witness for the Prosecution" [http://www.silentlambs.org/education/multimedia.cfm] ]

In a press release dated November 21, 2007, Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information states: "In the United States, over 80,000 elders currently serve in over 12,300 congregations … During the last 100 years, only eleven elders have been sued for child abuse in thirteen lawsuits filed in the United States; In seven of these lawsuits against the elders, accusations against the Watchtower Society itself were dismissed by the courts" [ [http://www.jw-media.org/region/global/english/releases/beliefs_practices/071121.htm Watchtower Statement on Settlement of Abuse Cases] ]

In 2007 during a ground-breaking trial motion in the Napa, California court against Watchtower Society, victims' lawyers convinced the court that the 'ecclesiastical privilege' defense does not supersede the legal obligation of clergy to report child sex abuse to secular authorities. Instead of turning in the sex offender database, the Jehovah's Witness leaders at the Watchtower Society opted to pay an undisclosed amount (believed to be in the millions) in an out-of-court settlement with 16 unnamed alleged victims of sexual abuse within the religion. [Jehovah's Witnesses pay a multi-million dollar settlement: [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21917798/] ] According to court documents obtained by NBC News, one plaintiff was awarded over $780,000 USD. [News video: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLAC9kS_EqM NBC news report] ]

In the case regarding Tim W. of Tehama County, California the Second Amended Complaint states:“Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. had actual knowledge that James Henderson was a sexual predator since at least 1964. Yet, for the better part of three decades, that appointed and re-appointed him to the positions of elder and ministerial servant.” [ At http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com the CD "Secrets of Pedophilia in an American Religion – Jehovah’s Witnesses in Crisis" contains over 5,000 pages of discussion and court transcripts from the out of court settlement by the Watchtower Society in 2007.]

Any reports by the media critical of Jehovah's Witnesses are said to be 'the work of Satan, ruler of the Earth, its media and all governments'; ["Satan, ruler of Earthly governments and the media": [http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/index.php/watchtower_quotes/present-truths/media/] ] The Jehovah's Witnesses claim that slanderous reports in the media are nothing more than religious persecution, and a cause for rejoicing as it means they are pleasing Jehovah and will receive a reward. [ Watchtower, March 1st 2003 study article "Be Courageous and Strong!" paragraphs 6,20 [http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/index.php/watchtower_quotes/present-truths/media/] ] .

Some recent cases reported in the media:
* December 19, 2006 - Marcel Simonin, a Jehovah's Witness elder, was found guilty of sexual aggression. Removed as an elder. It is not known whether he was disfellowshipped. [ [http://www.hebdos.net/lsc/edition22007/articles.asp?article_id=155860 Marcel Simonin found guilty of sexual aggression.] ]

* November 12, 2006 - Enrique Bahena Robles, an elder, was arrested for the crime of aggravated rape of a minor. The articles do not state whether he is still a Witness or has been disfellowshipped. [ [http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2006/11/12/index.php?section=estados&article=031n3est Mexico Elder arrested] (in Spanish); [http://www.novenet.com.mx/seccion.php?sec=7&id=22891&d=11&m=11&y=2006 Jehovah's Witness Elder arrested for aggravated rape] (in Spanish)]

* July 19, 2006 - Zuri McGhee, a Jehovah's Witness, is charged with multiple counts of sexual assault on a child. [ [http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_4067129 Teen Says Attacker Sought to Win Trust] ]

* June 26, 2006 – Jesus Cano dismissed from Bethel and disfellowshipped for trying to lure boys. [ [http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_177180721.html Cops: Orange County Minister Tried to Lure Boys] ]

* November 17, 2005 - Jehovah's Witness elder disfellowshipped from congregation, 25-year conviction on sex charges. [ [http://www.newsobserver.com/133/story/367992.html Ex-elder gets 25-year term in sex case] ]

References

ee also

*Roman Catholic sex abuse cases
*Controversies regarding Jehovah's Witnesses

Further reading

* [http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/downloads/Secrets_Commentary_Version_2.pdf Secrets of Pedophilia in an American Religion—Jehovah’s Witnesses in Crisis, (2007)] A commentary written by former member of the Watchtower organization's Writing Department staff, Barbara Anderson. The author chronicles her experience inside the Watchtower organization with child abuse issues.

External links

upportive of Witness child sex abuse policy

* [http://www.jw-media.org/vnr/2122827332/713173.htm Jehovah's Witnesses' Response on child abuse, from official site (video)]
* [http://www.jw-media.org/vnr/2122827332/716353.htm Further Information]
* [http://www.jw-media.org/region/global/english/backgrounders/e_molestation.htm Jehovah's Witnesses Official Policy on Child Protection, from official site]
* [http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1993/10/8a/article_01.htm Articles in Awake! about child protection]
* [http://www.thirdwitness.com/childabuse/default.html Jehovah's Witnesses Child Abuse Policy--Exposing the Myths]

Critical of the Witness child sex abuse policy

* [http://www.silentlambs.org Silent Lambs]
*Vleugel, Rado, [http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/index.php/category/sexual-child-abuse/ "Jehovah's Witnesses & (sexual) child abuse"] ,
* [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/004/11.23.html 2001 "Christianity Today" article by Corrie Cutrer]
* [http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/index.php/category/watchtower_quotes Watchtower Quotes]

News – Other articles

* [http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/childabuse.htm Partial list of Jehovah's Witness child abuse law suits.]
* [http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,52484,00.html?tw=wn_story_related Article of Erica Rodriguez's suit]
*Robinson, B.A. (2003), [http://www.religioustolerance.org/witness7.htm "Jehovah's Witnesses and child sex abuse"] , "ReligiousTolerance.org". Retrieved 29 July 2005.
* [http://www.adam.com.au/bstett/JwChildAbuse93.htm "Child Abuse Among JWs"] , "Investigator Magazine", Volume 93.
*Tubbs, Sharon (22 August 2002), [http://www.sptimes.com/2002/08/22/Floridian/Spiritual_shunning.shtml "Spiritual shunning"] , "St. Petersburg Times".
*U.S. Department of Justice (September, 2004) [http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/ovw/206554.pdf "A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations (Adults/Adolescents)"] ("PDF format")
* [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0208/14/cct.00.html Transcript] of interview Connie Chung had with Heidi Meyer regarding being molested by a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.