| www.jwchildabuse.com Adult Survivors of Jehovah Witness Child Abuse Support Group |
We are in the process of collecting individual stories of those who have suffered as a result of having family members
that are Jehovah's Witnesses, and, in particular, having been abused as children by those family members or other
members of the cult known as Jehovah's Witnesses. The author of this web site, Robert Edinger (JR) PHD, was raised in
Bedford, Indiana. I well remember other children in the "Kingdom Hall" suffering as well, and would be especially pleased
to hear from some of them.
that are Jehovah's Witnesses, and, in particular, having been abused as children by those family members or other
members of the cult known as Jehovah's Witnesses. The author of this web site, Robert Edinger (JR) PHD, was raised in
Bedford, Indiana. I well remember other children in the "Kingdom Hall" suffering as well, and would be especially pleased
to hear from some of them.
It is important to note that not all forms of child abuse are illegal. Making a small child get all dressed up and go from door-to-door peddling magazines
that trumpet the violent death of everyone who is not a subscriber, is traumatic, it leaves scars, but it is not illegal. Neither is il illegal to strip and beat
children, as JWs are fond of doing.
Children of Jehovah's Witnesses are also abused by their peers, as a direct result of their religion. In the case of this writer, for example, in junior high
school, at that delicate adolescent moment, I was labeled 'Jehovah' in the locker room shower by the biggest guy in the class. In fact, the broad variety of
forms of abuse to which children are subjected as a result of having parents who are Jehovah's Witnesses is a story that is only now beginning to be told.
And for us who had the tragic misfortune to have been born into such surroundings, these stories are important to our recovery. If you have a story to tell
about child abuse and Jehovah's Witnesses, please share it with us! We will be publishing survivor stories here on a regular basis so please write us so
we can send you updates.
that trumpet the violent death of everyone who is not a subscriber, is traumatic, it leaves scars, but it is not illegal. Neither is il illegal to strip and beat
children, as JWs are fond of doing.
Children of Jehovah's Witnesses are also abused by their peers, as a direct result of their religion. In the case of this writer, for example, in junior high
school, at that delicate adolescent moment, I was labeled 'Jehovah' in the locker room shower by the biggest guy in the class. In fact, the broad variety of
forms of abuse to which children are subjected as a result of having parents who are Jehovah's Witnesses is a story that is only now beginning to be told.
And for us who had the tragic misfortune to have been born into such surroundings, these stories are important to our recovery. If you have a story to tell
about child abuse and Jehovah's Witnesses, please share it with us! We will be publishing survivor stories here on a regular basis so please write us so
we can send you updates.
| 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 |
He is highly respected in the community, having displayed
the ultimate sign of spiritual devotion: he served at Bethel,
the Watchtower headquarters in Brooklyn. At home,
however, he is a despicable brute. For the two years her
mother is married to him, Joy does not grow at all; in fact,
she loses 16 pounds, an eloquent testimony to the physical,
emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse she suffers at
his hands. Her battered mother does nothing to protect her,
nor does her church. She is sustained by a consuming
fascination for horses and books and her protective love for
her younger brother. Their daring escape from this
unspeakable cruelty, to discover a nurturing home with their
father, is the key to their survival and salvation.
the ultimate sign of spiritual devotion: he served at Bethel,
the Watchtower headquarters in Brooklyn. At home,
however, he is a despicable brute. For the two years her
mother is married to him, Joy does not grow at all; in fact,
she loses 16 pounds, an eloquent testimony to the physical,
emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse she suffers at
his hands. Her battered mother does nothing to protect her,
nor does her church. She is sustained by a consuming
fascination for horses and books and her protective love for
her younger brother. Their daring escape from this
unspeakable cruelty, to discover a nurturing home with their
father, is the key to their survival and salvation.
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 Roxanne. 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.
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 Roxanne. 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.
Woman Wins Trespassing Judgment Against Jehovah's Witness, Miscellaneous News
A woman who said she repeatedly told Jehovah's Witnesses to stay off her property won a $632 judgment against one of them who showed up at her door and woke her up anyway
Jennie Basiago was awarded the money by a local district justice after filing a civil trespassing complaint against Bernadine DiStefano, a member of the Palmyra Kingdom Hall of
Jehovah's Witnesses.
Basiago said followers of the religion came to her home every few months for 12 years and she called two Kingdom Halls in October and threatened legal action if the visits continued.
But two Jehovah's Witnesses awakened the late-shift worker in February after driving down a 300-foot lane past eight no-trespassing signs and three dog-warning signs, Basiago said.
"I just reached my limit," Basiago said.
DiStefano said the visit was an accident. Basiago was on a list of homeowners who had requested no visits, but officials in East Hanover Township assigned new addresses in the area
and the list was not updated.
The defendant told District Justice Michael Smith she was driving and did not see the no-trespassing signs until Basiago pointed them out. She said Basiago was "enraged" at her and a
woman accompanying her, and cursed at them.
DiStefano said she and other Jehovah's Witnesses go door-to-door to discuss the Bible with people and "give them hope for the future."
"That is our purpose -- not to harass her," DiStefano said.
Basiago had sought $8,000 in damages, but Smith awarded her $40 for each of the two days she spent researching DiStefano's identity and a day for lost sleep, then added that to the
$395 penalty for trespass under criminal statutes, plus court costs. DiStefano said she had not decided if she would appeal.
Re: TRESPASSING posted 2 years ago (11/18/2009)
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au
Ram butts Bible man
By CHRISTOPHER SALTER
23-Jan-03
AFTER a day of doorknocking the last thing Jehovah's Witness Kenneth Hawthorn expected was to be attacked by one of God's creatures.
But that is exactly what happened.
Despite a gate marked 'private - keep out', Mr Hawthorn entered a farm only to be confronted by a four-year-old ram.
He attempted to shoo it away with a briefcase containing Bibles but was knocked to the ground and suffered a broken shin.
In the South Australian District Court, Mr Hawthorn and his wife Pamela, of Tea Tree Gully, reached a confidential settlement with the ram's owners for loss of earnings after the
incident in July 2001.
The Hawthorns sued Ronald and Julie Goldfinch, of Paracombe, in the Adelaide hills. They claimed they were forced to sell their hose-fitting business as a result of the injuries Mr
Hawthorn suffered.
They alleged the ram was a "dangerous and ferocious animal" and the Goldfinches were negligent for not keeping it confined and failing to warn visitors.
The Hawthorns also sued the Adelaide Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for failing to provide proper instructions about doorknocking in rural areas.
In the Hawthorns' statement of claim, Mr Hawthorn, who was doorknocking with his daughter, said they opened a gate on the Goldfinch property and walked towards their house to
"engage in biblical discussion".
"As they did so a ram appeared and charged (Mr Hawthorn) to the ground and the ram continued the attack pushing him towards the fence," the court documents said.
"At this time the defendants appeared and assisted (Mr Hawthorn) back into his car.
Mr Hawthorn claims he now is able to walk only small distances and "his capacity to enjoy life has permanently diminished".
In their defence, the Goldfinches said the Hawthorns entered their property "uninvited, unwanted and without notice".
They said their hand-reared pet ram had never attacked anyone before nor had it shown a "violent disposition".
In its own defence, The Adelaide congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses said doorknocking was voluntary and followers were not obliged to do it.
Mr Goldfinch said yesterday he was glad the case was over but disappointed with the result.
"We're just totally disappointed that they should have got anything," he said. "He walked into an area where he knew animals would have been, why should we pay."
The ram, which was affectionately known as "Shit for brains", has since died.
The Hawthorns declined to comment.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/
This is the Australasian Legal Information Institute. They have case records. Type in Jehovahs, not witnesses, or you get a million records! Hmmm.... did the WTS come to the legal aid
of the individual JW? Even though the JW was representing the Society.
The Hawthorns also sued the Adelaide Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for failing to provide proper instructions about doorknocking in rural areas.
I can't imagine such action without serious reproval. Seeking out worldly justice against brothers is a big no-no, against the Society or part of it is much more so.
The Adelaide congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses said doorknocking was voluntary and followers were not obliged to do it.
Sure, just like everything is voluntary for them. Except if you don't do it you loose your family, your friends, your whole life goes down the drain, etc. But no pressure.
Despite a gate marked 'private - keep out', Mr Hawthorn entered a farm only to be confronted by a four-year-old ram.
So the JW enters a private gate, trespasses on someone else's property and then sues the homeowners when a goat knocks him over? How very Christ-like of him!
And I'm sorry but a broken shin is not that big of an injury. I can't see any reason why someone would have to sell a business over that. This just sounds like a money-grabbing, frivolous
lawsuit to me. Those JW's should be ashamed of themselves. What in the world is going on in Australia that they actually awarded that clown money?
Despite a gate marked 'private - keep out', Mr Hawthorn entered a farm only to be confronted by a four-year-old ram.
and yet the househlder got stuck with the damages costs whatever.
sad for the householder who'd put the totally ignored 'keep out' notice
great witness for the neighbourhood, that not only will jws ignore warning signs, they'll sue you for the pleasure of their harrassment that leaves them with contributory negligence
injuries.
I have 2 no tresspassing signs 10 feet before you get to my door ... AND a private property sign there as well PLUS a noo soliciting on my door and yet they STILL come to my door....
OH and did you see how the congregation stood up for it's preachers out there???? It said it's VOLUNTARY!!!! HAHHAHAHA! If I was in a congregation still, I would print that off
& carry it with me to all of the get togethers & share it with everyone.... see... you don't HAVE to go door to door! strictly volunteers! unbelievable!
Gosh Blondie...who's the goat NOW? LOL
If they still come to the door, do you call the police? I would take down their license plate too in case they take off. I would send a certified letter to the local congregation, attention the
body of elders. No good putting up signs if you don't get the police involved. They listen then. I have seen it.
If I buy rural property again I'm going to follow the example of a friend and put up a sign: "Tresspassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again."
Dumb ars witnesses they should know that going onto a rural property with NO TRESSPASSING signs is a very serious matter, those are not nessssarily there to keep unwanted (jws)
away but may serve to keep uninvited visitors safe, farms in general are not the safest places to be even for the invited. I should know I grew up on one.
most people feel uncomfortable in posting a sign No Jehovah,s Witnesses but this will
stop them from knocking on your door..They beleive the No Trespassing signs are
for people who solicits , school activites, funds for the homeless etc..It,s funny the only
people that comes to your door today are JW. Wake up people the signs are for you.
So you need to be specific.JW doooo noooot steeeep fooot ooon mmmy prooperty.
NO JEHOVAH,S WITNESSES
Jehovah`s Witness`s always ignore signs..
I watched them read the sign at my house..
Then listened to them lie,about not seeing a sign..
LOL!!..
Lets see, JW's can't read signs on houses, nor evidentally any sign where Jesus said not to try and guess the day or hour. Outlaw is right, signs are not a JW strong suit.
Judges must be fickle.
One home owner wins a settlement when dubs trespass; the other loses when dubs trespass.
True, there was a goat, but isn't there always a goat?
I need to repost my no trespassing sign. I saw a tract on my door recently
DiStefano said the visit was an accident. Basiago was on a list of homeowners who had requested no visits, but officials in East Hanover Township assigned new addresses in the area
and the list was not updated.
So, Armageddon comes along, you have been a good dubbie, but you get destroyed anyway because these chuckleheads are incompetent at keeping their paperwork in order. Swell....
I have a No Solicitation sign on my door and I still get people who solicit crap. The last time it happened, I tactfully pointed out the sign and the lady said I didn't see it.
bs. People think, too often, they can completely ignore those things without penalty. Ridiculous
Any judge who would award a trespasser damages should be put in prison. In many states, and here in Florida as well, if you trespass and enter a home or come close enough to the
homeowner that he/she fears for his safety, you can be shot dead. And the trespasser's family is forbidden by law from suing for damages. If they do, they will be punished by the court.
I would think that would make a few of them think twice.
Perhaps JW's should ignore the WT and should go to college. They might finally learn to read so when there is a sign "NO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, NO EXCEPTIONS, YES THIS
MEANS YOU" they will see it and leave people alone. In the states, we are told to NOT go where this is a No Trespassing sign. And if we ignore it, we are responsible. And some
publishers forget to write down do not calls, which I hate. Or they forget to tell the rest of the car group the do not calls on the street they are working.
A woman who said she repeatedly told Jehovah's Witnesses to stay off her property won a $632 judgment against one of them who showed up at her door and woke her up anyway
Jennie Basiago was awarded the money by a local district justice after filing a civil trespassing complaint against Bernadine DiStefano, a member of the Palmyra Kingdom Hall of
Jehovah's Witnesses.
Basiago said followers of the religion came to her home every few months for 12 years and she called two Kingdom Halls in October and threatened legal action if the visits continued.
But two Jehovah's Witnesses awakened the late-shift worker in February after driving down a 300-foot lane past eight no-trespassing signs and three dog-warning signs, Basiago said.
"I just reached my limit," Basiago said.
DiStefano said the visit was an accident. Basiago was on a list of homeowners who had requested no visits, but officials in East Hanover Township assigned new addresses in the area
and the list was not updated.
The defendant told District Justice Michael Smith she was driving and did not see the no-trespassing signs until Basiago pointed them out. She said Basiago was "enraged" at her and a
woman accompanying her, and cursed at them.
DiStefano said she and other Jehovah's Witnesses go door-to-door to discuss the Bible with people and "give them hope for the future."
"That is our purpose -- not to harass her," DiStefano said.
Basiago had sought $8,000 in damages, but Smith awarded her $40 for each of the two days she spent researching DiStefano's identity and a day for lost sleep, then added that to the
$395 penalty for trespass under criminal statutes, plus court costs. DiStefano said she had not decided if she would appeal.
Re: TRESPASSING posted 2 years ago (11/18/2009)
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au
Ram butts Bible man
By CHRISTOPHER SALTER
23-Jan-03
AFTER a day of doorknocking the last thing Jehovah's Witness Kenneth Hawthorn expected was to be attacked by one of God's creatures.
But that is exactly what happened.
Despite a gate marked 'private - keep out', Mr Hawthorn entered a farm only to be confronted by a four-year-old ram.
He attempted to shoo it away with a briefcase containing Bibles but was knocked to the ground and suffered a broken shin.
In the South Australian District Court, Mr Hawthorn and his wife Pamela, of Tea Tree Gully, reached a confidential settlement with the ram's owners for loss of earnings after the
incident in July 2001.
The Hawthorns sued Ronald and Julie Goldfinch, of Paracombe, in the Adelaide hills. They claimed they were forced to sell their hose-fitting business as a result of the injuries Mr
Hawthorn suffered.
They alleged the ram was a "dangerous and ferocious animal" and the Goldfinches were negligent for not keeping it confined and failing to warn visitors.
The Hawthorns also sued the Adelaide Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for failing to provide proper instructions about doorknocking in rural areas.
In the Hawthorns' statement of claim, Mr Hawthorn, who was doorknocking with his daughter, said they opened a gate on the Goldfinch property and walked towards their house to
"engage in biblical discussion".
"As they did so a ram appeared and charged (Mr Hawthorn) to the ground and the ram continued the attack pushing him towards the fence," the court documents said.
"At this time the defendants appeared and assisted (Mr Hawthorn) back into his car.
Mr Hawthorn claims he now is able to walk only small distances and "his capacity to enjoy life has permanently diminished".
In their defence, the Goldfinches said the Hawthorns entered their property "uninvited, unwanted and without notice".
They said their hand-reared pet ram had never attacked anyone before nor had it shown a "violent disposition".
In its own defence, The Adelaide congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses said doorknocking was voluntary and followers were not obliged to do it.
Mr Goldfinch said yesterday he was glad the case was over but disappointed with the result.
"We're just totally disappointed that they should have got anything," he said. "He walked into an area where he knew animals would have been, why should we pay."
The ram, which was affectionately known as "Shit for brains", has since died.
The Hawthorns declined to comment.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/
This is the Australasian Legal Information Institute. They have case records. Type in Jehovahs, not witnesses, or you get a million records! Hmmm.... did the WTS come to the legal aid
of the individual JW? Even though the JW was representing the Society.
The Hawthorns also sued the Adelaide Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for failing to provide proper instructions about doorknocking in rural areas.
I can't imagine such action without serious reproval. Seeking out worldly justice against brothers is a big no-no, against the Society or part of it is much more so.
The Adelaide congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses said doorknocking was voluntary and followers were not obliged to do it.
Sure, just like everything is voluntary for them. Except if you don't do it you loose your family, your friends, your whole life goes down the drain, etc. But no pressure.
Despite a gate marked 'private - keep out', Mr Hawthorn entered a farm only to be confronted by a four-year-old ram.
So the JW enters a private gate, trespasses on someone else's property and then sues the homeowners when a goat knocks him over? How very Christ-like of him!
And I'm sorry but a broken shin is not that big of an injury. I can't see any reason why someone would have to sell a business over that. This just sounds like a money-grabbing, frivolous
lawsuit to me. Those JW's should be ashamed of themselves. What in the world is going on in Australia that they actually awarded that clown money?
Despite a gate marked 'private - keep out', Mr Hawthorn entered a farm only to be confronted by a four-year-old ram.
and yet the househlder got stuck with the damages costs whatever.
sad for the householder who'd put the totally ignored 'keep out' notice
great witness for the neighbourhood, that not only will jws ignore warning signs, they'll sue you for the pleasure of their harrassment that leaves them with contributory negligence
injuries.
I have 2 no tresspassing signs 10 feet before you get to my door ... AND a private property sign there as well PLUS a noo soliciting on my door and yet they STILL come to my door....
OH and did you see how the congregation stood up for it's preachers out there???? It said it's VOLUNTARY!!!! HAHHAHAHA! If I was in a congregation still, I would print that off
& carry it with me to all of the get togethers & share it with everyone.... see... you don't HAVE to go door to door! strictly volunteers! unbelievable!
Gosh Blondie...who's the goat NOW? LOL
If they still come to the door, do you call the police? I would take down their license plate too in case they take off. I would send a certified letter to the local congregation, attention the
body of elders. No good putting up signs if you don't get the police involved. They listen then. I have seen it.
If I buy rural property again I'm going to follow the example of a friend and put up a sign: "Tresspassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again."
Dumb ars witnesses they should know that going onto a rural property with NO TRESSPASSING signs is a very serious matter, those are not nessssarily there to keep unwanted (jws)
away but may serve to keep uninvited visitors safe, farms in general are not the safest places to be even for the invited. I should know I grew up on one.
most people feel uncomfortable in posting a sign No Jehovah,s Witnesses but this will
stop them from knocking on your door..They beleive the No Trespassing signs are
for people who solicits , school activites, funds for the homeless etc..It,s funny the only
people that comes to your door today are JW. Wake up people the signs are for you.
So you need to be specific.JW doooo noooot steeeep fooot ooon mmmy prooperty.
NO JEHOVAH,S WITNESSES
Jehovah`s Witness`s always ignore signs..
I watched them read the sign at my house..
Then listened to them lie,about not seeing a sign..
LOL!!..
Lets see, JW's can't read signs on houses, nor evidentally any sign where Jesus said not to try and guess the day or hour. Outlaw is right, signs are not a JW strong suit.
Judges must be fickle.
One home owner wins a settlement when dubs trespass; the other loses when dubs trespass.
True, there was a goat, but isn't there always a goat?
I need to repost my no trespassing sign. I saw a tract on my door recently
DiStefano said the visit was an accident. Basiago was on a list of homeowners who had requested no visits, but officials in East Hanover Township assigned new addresses in the area
and the list was not updated.
So, Armageddon comes along, you have been a good dubbie, but you get destroyed anyway because these chuckleheads are incompetent at keeping their paperwork in order. Swell....
I have a No Solicitation sign on my door and I still get people who solicit crap. The last time it happened, I tactfully pointed out the sign and the lady said I didn't see it.
bs. People think, too often, they can completely ignore those things without penalty. Ridiculous
Any judge who would award a trespasser damages should be put in prison. In many states, and here in Florida as well, if you trespass and enter a home or come close enough to the
homeowner that he/she fears for his safety, you can be shot dead. And the trespasser's family is forbidden by law from suing for damages. If they do, they will be punished by the court.
I would think that would make a few of them think twice.
Perhaps JW's should ignore the WT and should go to college. They might finally learn to read so when there is a sign "NO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, NO EXCEPTIONS, YES THIS
MEANS YOU" they will see it and leave people alone. In the states, we are told to NOT go where this is a No Trespassing sign. And if we ignore it, we are responsible. And some
publishers forget to write down do not calls, which I hate. Or they forget to tell the rest of the car group the do not calls on the street they are working.