This article gives "advise" to those who have been molested or sexually abused in some way: http://www.watchtower.org/e/19951101a/article_01.htm
After I read it I cried in complete disgust. On top of the terrible advise, they keep referring to painful recollections of rape and abuse as (with quotes) "repressed memories" "memories". I can just see the elders doing finger quotes to mock these painful recollections a person has.
Here's some lowlights from the article:
"...an accusation should not be made hastily if it is based solely on "repressed memories" of abuse. In this case the most important thing is for the sufferer to regain a degree of emotional stability. After the passage of some time, he may be in a better position to assess the "memories" and decide what, if anything, he wants to do about them."
"Eventually, you may be content to let the matter drop. If, though, you want to confront the alleged perpetrator (after first assessing how you would feel about the possible responses), you have a right to do so." WTF?! They have to hash over how things will turn out. Shouldn't they feel confident they'll be heard and supported while this is investigated?!
"For example, an individual may have vivid mental images of being molested by someone he or she sees every day. No rules can be laid down for handling this. "Each one will carry his own load." ( Galatians 6:5 ) Sometimes one may feel that a relative or a member of one's immediate family is involved. Remember the dubious nature of some "repressed memories" when it comes to identifying the one suspected of being a perpetrator. In such a situation, as long as the matter has not been firmly established, keeping contact with the family—at least by occasional visits, by letter, or by telephone—would show that one is trying to follow a Scriptural course."
"Then the two elders can advise him that, in line with the principle at Matthew 18:15 , he should personally approach the accused about the matter. If the accuser is not emotionally able to do this face-to-face, it can be done by telephone or perhaps by writing a letter. In this way the one accused is given the opportunity to go on record before Jehovah with his answer to the accusation. He may even be able to present evidence that he could not have committed the abuse. Or perhaps the one accused will confess, and a reconciliation may be achieved. What a blessing that would be! If there is a confession, the two elders can handle matters further in accordance with Scriptural principles." REALLY?! You want them to go face to face and say, "I remember you raping me." What a crock of sh**!!!
If the accusation is denied, the elders should explain to the accuser that nothing more can be done in a judicial way. And the congregation will continue to view the one accused as an innocent person. The Bible says that there must be two or three witnesses before judicial action can be taken. ( 2 Corinthians 13:1 ; 1 Timothy 5:19 ) Even if more than one person "remembers" abuse by the same individual, the nature of these recalls is just too uncertain to base judicial decisions on them without other supporting evidence. This does not mean that such "memories" are viewed as false (or that they are viewed as true). But Bible principles must be followed in establishing a matter judicially.
What if the one accused—though denying the wrongdoing—is really guilty? Does he "get away with it," as it were? Certainly not! The question of his guilt or innocence can be safely left in Jehovah's hands.
I'm so disgusted!!!
And they finish it with this ass backwards advise to the victim
"When dedicated souls endure in the face of great physical or emotional pain, what an evidence it is of their inner strength and love for God! And what a testimony to the power of Jehovah's spirit to sustain them!—Compare 2 Corinthians 4:7 ." Shut the f*** up. If you can't shut up and take it then you show what a weakling spiritually you are. Oh, and you hate god.
This was an article on the main "Topics" page a few weeks ago so they're still going with the 2 or more witnesses to the same act (Hey, bro I'm gunna go rape a young boy, wanna go?). They're telling the public that that rule has gone by the way-side and it counts as 2 or more witnesses if the same person is accused by 2 different people but that's not the case if they're showing this BS to the flock on the inside. I'm more and more pissed.
