The elders simply say that going to the authorities would bring "shame on Jehovah's name" or on the congregation. That alone inhibits people from taking problems outside the congregation.
Then they add that a brother (or any JW) should follow a prescribed method to resolve differences between them and another brother. So first talk to the person you think has done you harm. Then if he doesn't listen take a couple of others to act as witnesses to the working out of a settlement. And if that doesn't work go to the elders.
Now really, what child who is already feeling threatened and has been abused is going to approach the abuser and say "I want to work out a solution to the problem you have caused." And the abuser says "I don't know what you are talking about. You wanted it" or "nothing happenned." Then this child has to approach a couple of other people and the abuser says "I didn't do it" so the child is supposed togo to the elders.
Now just what do you think she expects him to say when the elders get called in?
In my experience I didn't tell because I knew nothing would be done and that my mother would send me out of the family. I KNEW it.
And when she caught him IN THE ACT she did the exact thing I KNEW she would do. I was sent to foster care.
Abused kids are smart. They know they are trapped. They know they can't go anywhere else except to the elders. Then they know the elders will take an adult's word over theirs.
An abuser has prepared a defence from the moment he touches that child inappropriately. He knows exactly what to say. And he lets the child know that no one will listen to her. My father said things like
- they will blame you and send you to jail (juvenile detention)
- they will think you are a liar cuz no one believes kids and you always lie (which I didn't)
- I will kill you if you tell
- I will kill your mother
- finding out will kill your mother
- I will kill your sister... brother... dog... whatever
- you are damaged goods - spoiled and dirty
My father was not the first of my abusers and he was never a JW but this was the type of thing that I and most victims heard on a regualr basis. When my step-father started abusing me he pretty much said the same things. I knew there was no where else to go.
Most of the victims I knew or worked with had a pretty clear knowledge of how their family worked and who got the blame for most things that happened.
Back to the JWs. What child in the face of the above is willing to confront the abuser if she thinks nothing will happen. Some victims know full well if they tell and he denies it she is even worse off than if she said nothing. And most victims would rather endure the abuse than deal with elders, not being believed, not getting help and not breaking up or losing their family. And of course we would have to add in the fears that absolutely no one will believe accusations against an elder who is admired by all.
It really doesn't take much for a child to be silenced about their abuse.
And what chance for justice do they have
NONE
