We are dedicated to helping protect Jehovah Witness children from sexual
abuse and to fight against the cover up of sexual abuse. We are investigating
a particularly egregious case that has been reported to us involving three
local congregations of Jehovah Witnesses in Bloomington, Bedford, and
Mitchell, Indiana. Please help to inform the ministers (elders) of these
congregations that they have a legal duty to report child sexual abuse to
their local law enforcement agencies!
Studies show us that the more sexually repressed the religion, the more child sexual abuse occurs
among its members. Phillip Garrido, for example, who kidnapped Jaycee Dugard and held her
as a sex slave for 18 years, was a Jehovah Witness minister. Police were only alerted when he
tried to take the babies that he fathered with Jaycee onto a University campus to preach and
distribute Watchtower magazines. Do you want these people on your private property,
knocking on your door, talking to your children?
Adult Survivors of
Jehovah Witness
Child Abuse
Bloomington:
Martin Boling,
2506 S. Milton Drive, 47403
(812) 339-8638

Bedford:
Faith Spicer, 3609 River Bluff  
(812) 275-2987
Tell Faith How You Feel!

Mitchell: Steven C. Steuer
245 Riverview Addition
Bedford, IN 47421-8286
(812) 849-3739
Even especially prominent JW Representatives,
Robert Edinger (Bedford, Mitchell
Congregation), for example (left), repeatedly
intoxicated his son with alcohol at the age of 14,
following years of strippings and beatings. That
son survived, however, earned a PHD in Religion
at the University of Southern California, and is
now fighting back, especially because my mom
has Alzheimers and cannot express her wishes
and my father is keeping her from me. Many
family members of JWs suffer, and we need
solidarity in order to face these challenges, in
particular, because we still love them.
If you have any information about child sexual abuse among Jehovah
Witnesses, it is your legal duty to report it to your local law
enforcement agency. Please report it to us as well as us at:
info@jwchildabuse.com
Good day!
I saw your site on a JW Recovery FB page and I thought it was interesting. I admire what you are doing. I am also in Indiana. I have no report to make, I just wanted to thank you for
doing this. In our XXXX, Indiana congregation we had an incident many years ago of a teen molesting a child. The 2 families were at odds after that, & since the elders didn’t report
anything, all that happened was the teens family simply changed congregations. The child and his family did not attend any meetings until they were gone, and it was some time before
they did leave. As if nothing was wrong. The teens family was a favorite of one of the local elders and he never saw any wrong with the entire family, as he had studied with them and
the entire family of 6 came to be JW’s thru him. I think pride was involved in his not reporting the crime. Eventually, several years later, all of the elders were removed at that KH, a
clean sweep by a judicial committee. New elders were brought in from other nearby congregations. All we know is that most of them can never be elders again. For various reasons. This
was a few years after the molestation. The elder in question re: the molestation, told his adult children that his wife of 60 years can never know WHY he was formally removed because
it would kill her. Ok, I say, WTH? He did something really bad then. Right? He wasn’t DF, and had to beg and beg to retain his position as a full time pioneer. So, he did something very
bad. We do not know. This happened to him about a year after we stopped going, back in 2002. But he never did the right thing re: the child a few years before. So, I think that was still
sullying his reputation. He couldn’t explain it later, it was too late. So, we don’t know what he ever did so wrong. The teen/child thing was well known, so that was not kept from his
wife. He was removed for other reasons and that may have been part of it. But as they are told to protect the pedo, I think he did something himself to get removed for. Having nothing
to do with that. He is in his 80’s now. He also studied with my husband & myself and we became JW’s in 1974. Thru him. A decision I will forever regret with all my might. In one of
your protest photos in Canada, there is a sign referencing Jim Jones. Wasn’t he at one time, a JW? So, he knew how to brainwash and keep people in a cult. He learned from the experts!
The JC Duggard thing is sickening. I also followed that story. I didn’t know they were out in service that day. Of course the news didn’t call it that.  I am glad they were tho, just so the
JW’s can have the shame of that on them! They do indeed need investigated by the feds. I never thought of them as trespassers before I read your site. That’s so true!

Nowdays, nobody wants strangers on their property. The JW’s themselves risk it by doing that. Trespassing is also a crime. So, they daily commit crimes! I never even thought of that.
I saw many of those signs in yards when we would go in service, but we were told it doesn’t apply to us. *We were doing Jehovah’s work, not robbing and stealing*. But, how does the
homeowner know that? They don’t! I don’t know if they do much door to door anymore there, but here up north of Indy. Never see them. We left in 2002, for decades of reasons! and I
have never seen an elder at my door not once! They came when I was at work one day and my husband met them outside & told them what the deal was. They never came back. I think
there was a lot going on at the KH, in private, that we didn’t know about. So, they were pretty preoccupied with all that and trying to NOT get DF’d, all of them! My grown kids at
the time, 16 & 18, left too. We never looked back. In fact, they were just baptized 4 mos prior to us leaving. We really blindsided everybody I am guessing. But nobody has followed up
and that’s fine. We are not DF, just stopped going. All of us. We have a much more complete life now, as normal persons in society. We have big holiday celebrations, and we call it
what it is. Unlike the JW’s, who also have the holidays, they just cloak it in secrecy and call it another name. But we know, we always knew. We were forbidden to have the holidays
with our real familys but they all have Thanksgiving together and x-mas, they just call it Party Day and exchange gifts. All the while telling us we can’t be with our families. It has ruined
our lives and relationships and we have slowly tried to repair that. I can never forgive them for that and many other things. Thank goodness my kids got out while they were still
teenagers. Thank you again for being there for the kids and victims of the JW’s. I do hope you succeed in getting an federal investigation going against them. They have cov’d it up long
enough! Happy Holidays to you and have a great week. & Thank you for taking the time to read a bit of our experience in the cult. GOOD LUCK to you!!!! I will stay with it for
updates!
Ex-Sister1
Small Town Indiana
We, those of us who had this fearsome and violent ideology thrust upon us in our infancy, we are the victims of this
fossilized, anachronistic, destructive, and dangerous philosophy of idolatry of self that the JWs try to force with violence
upon silent lambs. Your voice of courage rings clear and true. In your own way, you have now become a Pioneer, taking
your stand for the Truth. This is a much more effective way of getting the truth out there than bothering somebody
trying to enjoy a family meal or getting ready for work.
Indiana
Congregations
Indianapolis
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's
Witnesses
1201 N Delaware St
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Telephone: 317-637-8514

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's
Witnesses
3145 Walker Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Telephone: 317-787-7348
Please leave Message!
Jehovah Witnesses invade private property with no permission of any
kind, by studies with children. Sometimes, they come to visit when you
are away from your home and unable to protect your family. They have
all of Bloomington, Bedford, and Mitchell, Indiana mapped out into
territories for door-to-door canvassing, hoping to be invited to a return
visit.

The law does nothing to stop this invasion of your private property,
since it is considered to be within their 1st amendment rights to solicit
our conversions. The only recourse that you have is to notify them that
you do not want to be called on and then they will put you on their Do
Not Call list. Inform them that Jehovah Witnesses are not allowed on
your property. Only by having notified them will you be able to put
legal force behind your no trespassing sign. We urge you to do this as
soon as possible. Protect your children! Tell the Jehovah Witness
representatives listed on the right, or the number in your local phone
book,  that under no circumstances do you want them to call at
your home!
www.jwchildabuse.com
Indpls Assembly Hall Of Jehovah's Witnesses
1201 N Delaware St , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
(317) 637-8514
As with other religious organizations, 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.[1][2] Some details are found only in
letters to elders which, while solely for internal use, have been made available on the Internet.





Contents
[hide]  1 Policies 1.1 Advice to members
1.2 'Two witnesses'
1.3 Questioning the victim
1.4 Congregation discipline
1.5 Reproof and restrictions
1.6 Positions of responsibility

2 Reporting to civil authorities 2.1 Cover-up allegations

3 Sex offender database
4 Lawsuits
5 See also
6 References
7 External links 7.1 Critical
7.2 Supportive

8 Further reading


[edit] Policies

[edit] Advice to members

The Watch Tower Society, the legal entity responsible for Jehovah's Witnesses publishing, including their official doctrinal positions, has published information on how to protect
children from sexual molestation, such as the articles, Protect Your Children in the October 8, 1993 edition of Awake!, Help Your Children to Thrive in Awake! of August 8, 1997, the
series, Keep Your Children Safe, in the November 2007 edition of Awake!, and in the book, 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. Whether or not a victim seeks professional treatment from psychiatrists,
psychologists or therapists is accepted as a personal decision of the victim (or the parents) as long as the therapy does not conflict with their religious views.[3][4]

[edit] 'Two witnesses'

Jehovah's Witnesses' congregational judicial policies require the testimony of two material witnesses to establish a perpetrator's serious sin in the absence of confession,[5] based on
their interpretation of scriptures such as Deuteronomy 17:6 and 1 Timothy 5:19. This policy is felt to be a protection against malicious accusation of sexual assault. The Watch Tower
Society's Public Information Department specifies that this two-witness policy is applied solely to congregational discipline and has no bearing on whether a crime is reported to the
authorities. It is not necessary for both witnesses to have observed the same instance of child molestation to establish guilt. As of 1991, statements by two victims of separate incidents
by the same perpetrator may be deemed sufficient to take action and impose internal sanctions.[2][6][7] DNA evidence, medical reports, or information from forensic experts or police
that proves sexual abuse is also accepted as a valid "second witness".

In cases where there is only one eye-witness—the victim—to an allegation of child abuse, elders are instructed to monitor the accused individual closely, and in most cases suspend his
conspicuous privileges. If there is evidence to suggest that the alleged perpetrator did abuse children, privileges are revoked and a warning is given to the congregation for its protection.
[8]

[edit] Questioning the victim

In instances of a child reporting abuse, elders are instructed not to ask probing or intimate questions, with elders' immediate concern to "do what they reasonably can to protect children
from further abuse".[9] Elders are instructed that, however surprising the allegations, they should not indicate disbelief, nor should they criticize the complainant,[10] as elders are
regarded as 'spiritual shepherds' only, and have no professional training to investigate or evaluate allegations of child abuse. Testimony based on repressed memories is not considered
reliable enough to form the basis for internal action. Elders are encouraged to treat persons reporting this type of memory with kindness, but not to pursue the case unless further proof
is found. They also are instructed to report possible abuse cases to the secular authorities, if they believe they should or if required by law. Abuse victims are not required to face their
abuser to make an accusation; in 1998 elders were officially advised that if children are victims of molestation, they would not be required to confront the accused.[11][12]

[edit] Congregation discipline

Jehovah's Witnesses have a disciplinary system that applies to all congregation members who commit child abuse, rather than only to members in positions of authority.[13] Their
policy states that child sex victims be immediately protected from further abuse, and that abusers be prevented from finding additional victims.[14] If allegations of child abuse are
deemed to have a sound basis, an internal judicial committee is formed, and the accused individual is relieved of any positions of responsibility in the congregation. Anyone found to
have sexually molested a child and failing to demonstrate repentance is to be disfellowshipped from the congregation.[15] If an accused individual denies wrongdoing, but later due to
evidence presented in a court of law, it is proven that he or she was involved in child abuse, the individual is disfellowshipped.

[edit] Reproof and restrictions

An abuser who is judged repentant by a committee of elders is given a 'public reproof', wherein it is announced to the congregation that the named individual "has been reproved", though
the nature of their crime is not stated.[15] Some time later, a talk is given to the congregation, discussing the type of sin and the need to be on guard against it; the reproved individual is
not named in connection with this talk.[16] For a considerable period of time, a reproved individual is not permitted to participate in meetings by commenting in group discussions or
making presentations from the platform.[17] They are immediately debarred from serving in any appointed position in the congregation, usually for life. A fax sent by Jehovah's
Witnesses' Office of Public Information to the producers of the BBC's Panorama television 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.[18] Restrictions imposed on the abuser include "not
[being] alone with children," "refrain[ing] from holding children or displaying other forms of affection for them," and "not allowing children (other than his own) to spend the night in his
home, not working in field service with a child, not cultivating friendships with children, and the like."[19]

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 restrictions, which normally remain in place permanently. A 1997 Watchtower article stated: "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."[20][21] Former sex offenders may not offer public prayers, read paragraphs during congregation studies, or be given even minor responsibilities in the congregation, such
as handling microphones or distributing literature in the Kingdom Hall, and the person's home may not usually be used for congregation meetings.[22] According to the Watch Tower
Society spokesman, J. R. Brown, sex offenders are not permitted to participate in the congregation's house-to-house preaching, unless accompanied by a responsible adult.[23]
Commenting on the effect of these restrictions, Jehovah's Witnesses' legal representative, Mario Moreno, stated that these restrictions alert members that the individual "lacks spiritual
maturity."[24]

If a former child abuser moves to another congregation, elders from the previous congregation must send a letter to the body of elders in the new congregation, outlining the offender's
background[25] and whether the abuser is still under the 'restricted privileges'. Previous communication from the organization's Branch Office regarding the abuser is not forwarded to the
new congregation.[26] Other members of the new congregation are not formally made aware of the abuser's past.

[edit] Positions of responsibility

When a member is recommended for a position of responsibility such as elder or ministerial servant, the individual is asked directly whether he has ever committed child sexual abuse; if
it is revealed that he has, the proposed appointment is annulled and the branch office is advised.[27] If an appointed individual later admits to having committed abuse, the Watch Tower
Society's policy requires that the individual be removed from their position.

The January 1, 1997 issue of The Watchtower stated, "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."[28]

In 2010, the Watch Tower Society clarified how its policy is applied where a member in a position of authority is learned to have committed serious wrongdoing in the distant past,
"more than a few years ago." The elders' handbook "Shepherd the Flock of God" explained that such a person might be allowed to remain in their position if "he has been serving
faithfully for many years, has evidence of God's blessing, and has the respect of the congregation," noting that, "the nature of the sin may reflect greatly on his qualifications to serve.
For example, the sin may involve past child abuse, and this would likely disqualify him for many years." It added, "If the wrongdoing occurred within the past few years while he was
serving as an elder or a ministerial servant, he is disqualified from serving as such" (emphasis in original).[29]

[edit] Reporting to civil authorities

A press release issued in 2003 by Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information stated: "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."[30] 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."[31] A 2002 memo to all congregations stated:
"Our position is that secular authorities deal with crime while elders deal with sin."[2] Even where there is no mandatory reporting requirement, victims or others having knowledge of an
incident of sexual abuse must not be discouraged from reporting it.[32]

The New York Times 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."[33]

Congregation elders are required to first contact the organization's legal department in cases of alleged abuse to establish whether there is a legal duty to report the sex crime to the civil
authorities or not.[34] In Canada, elders have been advised: "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."[35]

The elders' manual, Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock, 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."[36] A 1995 memo to elders stated: "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."[37] This was
publicized by 1997.[38]

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," and 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."[39][40] In 2008, the Watch Tower Society of Britain, in discussions with the UK Charities Commission, undertook to produce a Child Protection Policy and update its
procedures to bring them into line with other religious and secular bodies.[41]

[edit] Cover-up allegations

Critics claim that in numerous cases, members of Jehovah's Witnesses have been prevented from reporting child molestation to civil authorities.[42][43]

Doctrinally, Jehovah's Witnesses handle all matters internally, which in recent years prompted accusations and lawsuits of a systematic sex offender cover-up. 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".[44] 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."[45]

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 disagrees with the theological perspective of Jehovah's Witnesses—printed an article reporting allegations that Jehovah's Witnesses'
policies made reporting sexual abuse difficult for members, and did not conform to typical treatment of such cases. The article also included a response by representatives of Jehovah's
Witnesses.[46]

The BBC reported on the controversy around Jehovah's Witnesses child abuse in July 2002, in the Panorama program "Suffer the Little Children"[47] 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 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.[48] 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."[49] The Watchtower Society maintains its existing
policy, without an explicit requirement for elders to report all child abuse cases where such is not mandatorily required by law.[42][43] In at least one case, elders urged a perpetrator
himself to go to police.[50]

[edit] Sex offender database

The headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Watchtower Society, requires all congregations to submit details of child abuse allegations and maintains a database on all cases of child
abuse reported to them. A spokesperson for the Watchtower Society stated in May 2002, "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."[51]

[edit] Lawsuits

Although numerous lawsuits have been filed in recent years, as of 2010 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; the Watchtower Society has settled some cases out of court.

In a press release dated November 21, 2007, Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information stated: "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." [52]

In 2007 during a ground-breaking trial motion in the Napa, California court against the Watchtower Society, victims' lawyers convinced the court that 'ecclesiastical privilege' does not
supersede the legal obligation of clergy to report child sex abuse to secular authorities. The Watchtower Society paid an undisclosed amount (believed to be in the millions) in an out-of-
court settlement with 16 unnamed victims of alleged sexual abuse within the religion.[53] According to court documents obtained by NBC News, one plaintiff was awarded over
$780,000 USD.[54]

Newspapers have reported that subpoenaed elders decline to testify against accused penitents, citing the confidentiality of penitent-clergy privilege.[55] However elders did not object
to testifying once a specific matter of penitent-clergy privilege had been adjudicated.[56]

[edit] See also
Child sexual abuse
Criticism of Jehovah's Witnesses
Religious abuse
Roman Catholic sex abuse cases
Scouting sex abuse cases
Silentlambs

[edit] References

1.^ Our Families, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Child Protection—Jehovah’s Witnesses Official Media Website]
2.^ a b c Letter to All Congregations in Britain, July 11, 2002
3.^ Letter to All Bodies of Elders, March 23, 1992
4.^ Awake!, October 8, 1991, page 9; The Watchtower, September 1, 1996
5.^ Position on child molestation
6.^ Jehovah's Witnesses Office of Public Information, Press Release "Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection," 2003.
7.^ Pay Attention to Yourselves, page 111
8.^ The Watchtower, November 1, 1995, page 28
9.^ Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock, ©1991 Watch Tower, page 93
10.^ Letter to All Bodies of Elders in Britain, December 1, 2001
11.^ Victims may make their accusation by letter or telephone if they prefer.The Watchtower, November 1, 1995, page 28
12.^ Pay Attention to Yourselves, page 118-19
13.^ Child Protection Policy in the UK
14.^ Letter to all Bodies of Elders in Britain, December 1, 2000
15.^ a b n/a (2005). Organized to do Jehovah's Will. Brooklyn, New York: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York. pp. 152–153.
16.^ The Watchtower, December 1, 1976, page 735
17.^ The Watchtower, September 1, 1981, page 27
18.^ Fax sent to Betsan Powys, BBC Panorama, May 9, 2002
19.^ 2000 Molester Form Letter
20.^ "Let Us ABHOR What Is Wicked". The Watchtower: 27–29. 1997-01-01. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
21.^ "Jehovah’s Witnesses and Child Protection". Jehovah’s Witnesses Official Media Web Site. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 2001. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
22.^ Jehovah's Witnesses Child Abuse Policy—Dispelling the Myths
23.^ Louisville Courier-Journal, 1-4-01.
24.^ Paducah Sun, January 28, 2001
25.^ Our Kingdom Ministry, October 1999, page 7
26.^ "Letters of Introduction", to All Bodies of Elders, July 1, 2006
27.^ "Shepherd the Flock of God", chapter 3, p. 34–35
28.^ "Let Us Abhor What Is Wicked". The Watchtower: 29. 1 January 1997.
29.^ "Shepherd the Flock of God", chapter 3, p. 38–39
30.^ Jehovah's Witnesses Office of Public Information, press release "Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection," 2003
31.^ The Watchtower, January 1, 1997, page 29
32.^ The Watchtower, August 1, 2005, page 14
33.^ Laurie Goodstein, Ousted Members Say Jehovah's Witnesses' Policy on Abuse Hides Offenses, The New York Times, August 11, 2002.
34.^ Non-disclosure, an ecclesiastical privilege
35.^ To All Bodies of Elders in Canada, July 29, 1988
36.^ Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock. Brooklyn, New York: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1977. pp. 138.
37.^ "To all Bodies of Elders in the United States". WTBS. 1995-08-01. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
38.^ "Jehovah’s Witnesses and Child Protection". Jehovah’s Witnesses Official Media Web Site. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1997. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
39.^ To All Bodies of Elders in Britain, December 1, 2000
40.^ Letter to All Bodies of Elders, December 1, 2000
41.^ "Work of the Charity Commission in 2008-09", Minutes of Evidence Taken Before Public Administrative Committee (House of Commons), Thursday 10 December 2009,
Retrieved 2010-04-15
42.^ a b Bowen, William. "The History of Silentlambs". Silentlambs. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
43.^ a b "Jehovah's Witnesses Settle Abuse Cases". Associated Press (News Channel 5). May 11, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
44.^ Letter To All Bodies of Elders in the United States, February 15, 2002
45.^ Letter To All Bodies of Elders in the United States, February 3, 1993
46.^ "Sex Abuse: Witness Leaders Accused of Shielding Molesters" by Corrie Cutrer, Christianity Today, March 5, 2001, As Retrieved 2010-04-15
47.^ Powys, Betsan (July 14, 2002). "Suffer the Little Children". BBC News. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
48.^ Tubbs, Sharon (Aug. 22, 2002), "Spiritual shunning", St. Petersburg Times.
49.^ To all Bodies of Elders in the United States, August 1, 1995
50.^ "A clergyman from the Jehovah's Witness church urged him to go to the police."
51.^ Fax from J. R. Brown, Office of Public Information, to Betsan Powys, dated May 9, 2002.
52.^ Internet Archive
53.^ Jehovah's Witnesses pay a multi-million dollar settlement
54.^ News video: NBC news report
55.^ "Elders John Vaughn and Andrew Sinay balked at testifying against [Jehovah' Witness Gilbert] Simental, when subpoenaed by [prosecutor] Strunsky. They cited the
confidentiality afforded by the penitent-clergy privilege."
56.^ "... the elders in this case felt they had no duty to keep the confession confidential"

[edit] External links

[edit] Critical
Silentlambs
2001 Christianity Today article by Corrie Cutrer
Article of Erica Rodriguez's suit
Transcript of an interview with an abuse victim

[edit] Supportive
Jehovah's Witnesses' Official Media Web Site:
"Jehovah’s Witnesses care for victims of child abuse" (November 21, 2007)
"Our Families: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Child Protection"
"Inquiries on Child Abuse—Our Response" (video)
"Dealing with Child Abuse—Our Policy" (video