silentlambs, inc.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
For Immediate Release
Thank you for coming today. We are here to speak out for victims of child rape who have been silenced and now know they have a right to speak out. We call them silentlambs. Behind me stands a house of worship. It is directed by a group of 11 men who hold legislative, executive, and judicial power over a world-wide religious order known as Jehovah's Witnesses. These men, who are known as a Governing Body (leadership) for 6 million Jehovah's Witnesses world-wide, have chosen to defend an indefensible regulation that has led and continues to lead to unimaginable damage to children who have suffered or who are now suffering sexual abuse.
Today we are here to announce the first ever nation-wide march for Jehovah's Witness child rape victims. On September 27th at 2 P.M. at Jehovah's Witnesses' headquarters in Brooklyn, abuse survivors and supporters will come from around the world to let the Jehovah's Witnesses' leadership (Governing Body) know we will no longer be ignored. We are angry at being silenced when we tried to speak out about abuse; we are outraged that we were disfellowshipped when we spoke out to protect children. Jehovah's Witnesses' Governing Body policies have hurt thousands of children; by their actions they appear to have no remorse; they have made no apology, but instead have sent henchmen in congregations like this to excommunicate victims and advocates who spoke out for children. At least the Catholic Church has taken steps in the right direction for addressing abuse issues but Jehovah's Witnesses leadership, by their actions, appear to think they are above the law and will punish anyone who says different.
In a statement made to media dated February 7, the head of the PR Department for Jehovah's Witnesses, J. R. Brown states, "Our Governing Body is willing to resolve differences of opinion within the framework of the congregation and according to Scriptural principles." For these reasons we are asking that a board of key men be selected from within the church to serve as judges. On September 27, in Brooklyn, we will bring dozens of eye-witnesses to testify regarding the harm Watchtower policy has caused by requiring two eye-witnesses to verify child molestation allegations. How often does a child have an eye-witness when they are being raped? We ask them to hear our witnesses and if their testimony proves true the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses (Governing Body) should either be sanctioned or dismissed from their positions.
Today I am here to represent those with many faithful years of service as Jehovah's Witnesses. We are here to deliver a message for the children. Earlier on Tuesday of this week twelve lambs were delivered to the Jehovah's Witnesses leaders known as the Governing Body. Today in Louisville, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Nashville, Portland, Seattle, Orlando, Tampa, St Louis, in these major cites across America a symbolic lamb is being left at a Kingdom Hall. This lamb stands as a reminder for those who have been silenced by Watchtower policy when they were raped.
It is bad policy that requires unauthorized untrained men to illegally investigate the crime of child molestation.
It is bad policy that appoints child molesters as elders after 20 years of not getting caught again.
It is bad policy that puts child molesters in a position to go to any home in on an annual basis accompanied by fellow members who do not even know what they have done.
It is bad Watchtower policy that remains unchanged due to the inaction of Jehovah's Witnesses' Governing Body after silentlambs, along with thousands of abuse survivors, have begged for almost two years now, for needed changes.
Each person in attendance at press conferences across America, at one time, had great love for the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses; we are saddened that we are forced to stand here due to the stubborn actions of prideful men who lead this church. The Jehovah's Witnesses' leadership (Governing Body) must change their policy and must apologize to the victims whose lives their policies have destroyed. On September 27th we arrive in good faith to make testimony to the public and testify before Jehovah's Witnesses Governing Body to give closure to victims and protect our children.
Victims who have been painfully conned and threatened out of their innocence by child molesters are now being conned and threatened into silence by the local representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses' leadership in Kingdom Halls such as this one around the world. These men consistently teach their adherents that humility is the course of wisdom yet they arrogantly stick to an unwise course that punishes their most precious members. On September 27th in Brooklyn, we begin a peaceful march at Pierpoint Place and Columbia Heights. We will end the march at the front door of home office of Jehovah's Witnesses. We officially invite any who decry the abuse of children to join silentlambs in this peaceful demonstration to push for a change in policy to protect the children. We encourage all abuse survivors to speak out and never allow anyone to make you a silentlamb.
silentlambs, inc.
Edited by - silentlambs on 6 September 2002 1:7:57