Were you or someone you know sexually molested by a Jehovah's Witness ? (page 19)

White Dove

"Thin skinned"? Not very sensitive to victims are you, Awaretoday?

Big Tex I am sorry for your hardship we all carry scars from belonging to a kingdom hall with elders too coward to do the right thing. If I was an elder like some of us still are in this forum, I would ignore policies and go to the police and write and make phone calls at the local level and continue to act dumb until something was done (they say its easier to ask for forgiveness that permission). It is so sad that so manny instances of molestation go untold and undocumented that by the time it has come so far that victims have suffered severe emotional trauma and fade in their sadness and the outcome has been suicide. I would urge anyone who is still an elder don't just sit there do something now, who cares if you get D'fd you can continue attending meetings until you get reinstated get your family and friends back but you know and they know you are no coward. This topic is soo painful especially when you know innocent lives were lost. I remember one magazine talked about not forgiving those that molested you and that would be ok with Jehovah, so one way to not forget is to seek justice.

AllTimeJeff

awaretoday

If I was an elder like some of us still are in this forum, I would ignore policies and go to the police and write and make phone calls at the local level and continue to act dumb until something was done

I don't know if you are aware of this (no pun intended) but Bruce Bowen was an elder who did exactly as you suggest, and was disfellowshipped for it. As a result, he started the silentlambs website.

Yizuman

My brother, like countless others, were never allowed to express their anger or heal. It ultimately drove him to suicide

I am so sorry to hear that. That has to the worse thing to have to go through.

I remember reading on CNN back in the late 1990s that two brothers and a father killed themselves over what had happened to the brothers.

Edit: Here it is.... http://harfordmedlegal.typepad.com/forensics_talk/child_sexual_abuse_kills_.html

The Story of Justin and Matthiew Wilke

In May 1985, Peter Dudley Albertson II was a young counselor who worked at Camp Puh Tok in Monkton, MD. where two young brothers, Justin and Matthiew Wilke, ages 9 and 11, attended. Albertson became friends with the brothers while teaching them arts and crafts.

After the camp was over, Albertson continued their friendship, getting to know the Boy's parents, and even staying at their residence. The boys adored Pete, looking up to him as an older brother. Since the children liked Albertson so much, their parents often allowed him to watch the boys overnight in his home.

This went on for a couple of years, until one evening, Pete asked Justin to play a new game - Pete would be the photographer and Justin would be the model.

While taking the pictures, Pete began to fondle Justin. When the boy protested, Pete explained that he loved him, and that was how people showed love. Albertson continued to abuse Justin for about three years. He abused Matthiew as well, until Matt was about 13.

Matthiew stopped seeing Albertson and finally got the courage to write, expressing his deep hatred of Albertson for his abuse. After graduation from Towson State, Albertson accepted a job in England, tutoring young boys.

While Albertson was out of the country, Matthiew finally informed their mother of Albertson's abuse. The police were contacted and, shortly after his return from Europe, Pete was indicted on charges of fondling and oral sex. Albertson plead guilty and received a three year suspended sentence with probation.

Once released, Albertson proceeded to stalk Justin, following him and sending dozens of cards and letters. Albertson had often told the boys they would never be able to have normal relationships. They would grow up to be child molesters them selves. Both young men had a horrible fear that Pete's predictions might come true.

In 1993, Matthiew tried to commit suicide, without success. He told Father Ray, of St. Vincent's, of the abuse. Father Ray continued to support Matthiew and encouraged him to paint from his experiences in order to help to heal the wounds.

Justin finished the paintings in 1994 and dedicated them to Matthiew. He wrote three short stories which accompanied the paintings. The writings showed the depth of pain and anguish the abuse had caused him. In 1993, Matthiew tried again to commit suicide.

On November 30, 1995, Justin found his father's body in the family car. Donald Wilke had taken his own life because he felt he had failed to protect his sons. Within a month of his father's death, Justin painted a fifth painting - his last.

It was a painting depicting his father's body in the car. It also showed a photo of a pair of outstretched hands holding a baby rabbit.Justin said he wanted people to know that child abuse kills. Three months later, on February 8, 1996, Justin Wilke was found dead in his car behind a gas station. He had died of carbon monoxide poisoning, just as his father had. In his suicide note, Justin wrote, " I hate you Pete!"

Matthiew Wilke was devastated at the deaths of his father and brother. He felt he had failed to protect his younger brother from Albertson's abuse and stalking. He met with postal inspectors and agents from the U.S. Customs Service. They wanted to try to lure Albertson back into this country.

Albertson had been traveling in Germany and had sent Justin a "birthday" present shortly before Justin died. The "present" contained two video tapes and letters. The letters implied that justin might be on the tapes. Justin had been afraid to view them and had turned them over to Father Ray, who contacted the police.

When the police viewed them, Justin wasn't on them but they found photos of children all engaged in sexually explicit conduct. If they could lure Albertson back into the country, they would have him with trafficking child porn through the mail. Unfortunately, Matthiew could not dispel his feelings of despair and lonliness without his father and brother. On August 15, 1996, Matthiew's body was found in his car, in a farmer's field.

On December 21, 1996, U.S. Customs received information that Albertson might be back in the country. The watched his mother's home and on December 26, 1996, Albertson was arrested. In 1997, Albertson was sentenced to 10 years, with another three years added on for violating parole. He will be due for release in four years.

Point of View

Groups like NAMBLA would have people believe that sex with children is not harmful. This is a dangerous group which can't be ignored. It is a large, well organized, well lobbied group, with top level, well educated professionals as members.

They are fighting to get the sex laws in America changed. They have even published a book on instructing someone how to be a pedophile. This group has its female counterpart as well. There is a women's version of NAMBLA, whose members believe in the right to have sex with little girls.

Distinct Pedophile Groups

Group I 0-3 years of age

Group II 4-7 years of age

Group III 7-11 years of age

It has been said that a true pedophile will not pick a child over 11 years of age. I'm not sure if I totally agree with that. I still consider an adult having sex with a 12 year old a pedophile. These groups must be stopped and the best way to do that is through public education, empowerment through the legal system, and by teaching and protecting our children.

sir82

If I was an elder like some of us still are in this forum, I would ignore policies and go to the police and write and make phone calls at the local level and continue to act dumb until something was done

Yeah, clearly you've never been an elder.

You'd get to do that exactly once, before being promptly disfellowshipped (unless you grovelled, admitted how wrong you were, and swore on a stack of Bible Teach books you'd never do it again).

dinah

Awareday, if you try to stand up for what is right, you'd be deleted as an elder in a heartbeat. Me doubts that you even are one.

purplesofa

I thought the policy was recently changed on child molestation cases and they were to report it to the police?

What is the policy now?

AllTimeJeff

Purps, elders still call the legal dept first before anyone else, and according to the state that the attack took place, the legal dept advises the elders whether or not to call the police.

If they live in a state where they have to report, the legal dept will instruct the elders to report it anonymously, from a phone booth.

Finally-Free

Flipper: My ex-wifes abuse was covered up and she had flashbacks in her late 30's but stubbornly refused any professional counseling or therapy.

My ex tried counselling. After a visit from a couple of elders in our hall, one of the elders, a Bethelite, referred her to a psychiatrist that, in his words, "the Society has used on occasion". One visit to this "psychiatrist" was more than enough for her. All he did was ask her what she did to provoke the abuse, and make her feel like she was at fault for it. I can't imagine what kind of sick, twisted mind could imply that a 4 year old was somehow "asking for" the abuse that she endured for more than 10 years.

W

awaretoday

No I am not an elder but faced with the dilema of letting an innocent victim be demonized for stating acusations against a perp I would start by dissenting.

Were you or someone you know sexually molested by a Jehovah's Witness ?

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