This is brief because family members have asked that I remain low-key for the present when on public forums regarding this specific case. I have provided greater details in a private forum.
Many of you may recall my Justice Series on H20 where I dealt with the issue of pedophiles among JWs, often drawn from my experience as an Elder. While serving as an Elder I did object to the failure of Elders to report pedophiles to the Authorities. When I reported a case, the Elders found a way to make sure I was forcibly Disassociated.
Sometime after these posts on H20, I became involved in trying to obtain certain help for victims or their families. Then, at the start of this year SilentLambs emerged by going public about molestation among JWs and the inappropriate directions coming from the WTS to their local representative Elders. I never imagined that this would hit so close to home.
Recently, my Son-In-Law (SIL) [who is no longer a JW] learned that his JW dad was arrested for molesting a pre-teen girl who is also a relative. Sil’s dad is in his early 50s. He has been a JW for about 30 years. The fear in the family is that he may have molested others since it seems unlikely that a man at this age would just now be starting a new career as a pedophile. We do not know whether he has molested my grandchildren or other children, but the possibility is there. This will be determined during further investigation by the civil authorities. He has been restricted from having contact with my grandchildren for now. I am most concerned because my grandchildren at times stay with Sil’s dad. If he can molest one relative, there is little to convince me he will not try to molest my granddaughters, if he has not already done so.
The local JW Elders have also become involved. I will not comment at this time about their actions and how these mesh with what the civil authorities are doing. But, I can say that IF the JW Elders knew about a prior pattern of behavior by Sil’s dad (and I know these Elders personally and their other cover-ups of molestation) then there is going to be hell to pay.
I am currently in contact with the arresting Officer and the District Attorney who is prosecuting the case against Sil's dad. Before trail they plan many interviews with all family and close family friends to get a picture of whether other acts of abuse have taken place and whether there is any level of cover-up.
In all the years of dealing with this issue during and after I was a JW Elder, I have never felt the level of anger as I do now. As noted above, while a JW, I did report a molester to the authorities, but all that happened was that the local Elders found a way to Disassociate me. I was angry then because children were being abused and the perpetrators were only 'Privately Reproved.'
The time for justice has arrived. Whatever it takes, whether civil suit, criminal charges, and/or media attention, it is time to expose the WTS dirty laundry, and seek remedy. I will provide greater details to all of you as events develop. - Simply Amazing