Posts by truthseekeriam

29

Attacking the elders, can that bring down the cult??

by Crazyguy in

the borg has left out in the cold the victims of child molesters all to save their reputation and have used the elders to do their bidding in these evil works.

they have even made changes to their policies to put more of the responsibility on the elders.

so if the lawyers of these molestation victims which normally go after the money ie the borg were to also aggressively go after these elders in these cases could this not start a ripple effect where by elders find out and start resigning en mass to protect themselves knowing the borg not going to help them?.

truthseekeriam

I totally agree with Magnum there are some elders that will completely embrace the idea of being a martyr. I've seen it.

12

Woman sues Jehovah's Witness elders over lack of protection from sex attacker

by truthseekeriam in

http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/woman-sues-jehovahs-witness-elders-8579862.

a woman who claims jehovahs witness elders failed to protect her from a predatory sex attacker who repeatedly abused her as a child is now battling for 500,000 compensation.. the woman, in her 20s, was molested by ministerial servant peter stewart over a five-year period in loughborough, leicestershire, in the 1980s and 90s, londons high court heard.. the trauma she suffered derailed her education and career, and led to harrowing nightmares and recurring thoughts of suicide, her barrister, james counsell, said.. matters came to a head after she passed out on her bed next to a pile of paracetamol while on holiday with her husband, having left him a suicide note, he added.. soon afterwards, she had a bad panic attack - triggered by seeing a collection of jehovahs witness literature.. that led to tense discussions with her husband, and her final decision to take legal action, mr counsell told the court.. the woman - who cannot be identified - is suing the trustees of the watchtower bible and tract society, alleging they are vicariously liable for stewarts crimes.. stewart was convicted of entirely separate offences of sexually abusing a schoolgirl and a young boy in 1995, said mr counsell.. he died in june 2001, aged 72, shortly before police arrived at his home to arrest him for sexually abusing the claimant.. stewart was an apparently respected and devout member of the congregation in loughborough, the court heard.. however, he repeatedly preyed on the girl between the ages of four and nine, using his position as a ministerial servant to commit these acts.. he molested her in a variety of situations - including both before and after and sometimes during watchtower study sessions, mr counsell claimed.. his attacks took a catastrophic toll, leaving his victim prone to vomiting at the memory, and with complex feelings of guilt and shame.. stewart forced her to keep silent by telling her that what she was doing was fornication and that she was sinning, the barrister explained.. he warned her that when armageddon came - a regular topic for general discussion at group and congregation meetings - she would not be saved because of what she was doing.. it was precisely because much of the abuse took place at public - and at jehovahs witness events - that she could not always avoid him, added mr counsell.. the woman first mustered the courage to disclose her abuse in 2000 - after hearing of stewarts imminent release from jail for his offences against the two school children.. stewarts former jehovahs witness congregation began an investigation but failed to contact the police, said the barrister, adding that the inquiry appeared to go nowhere.. that alleged inaction intensified her feelings of anger and the woman finally went to the police in may 2001.. but when the police went to stewarts home to arrest him they discovered from neighbours that he had died, added mr counsell.. the barrister alleged that jehovahs witness elders had known about stewarts activities with young girls since the very early days of the claimants abuse and had failed to prevent it continuing.. it was stewarts authority as a ministerial servant which allowed him to gain contact and befriend his victim, said mr counsell.. the abuse was committed while he was performing tasks to further the interests of jehovahs witnesses.. lawyers for the trustees are defending the case, insisting that proper steps were taken to protect its members and that stewart was not performing a pastoral role.. their counsel, adam weitzman, said he disputed that the elders were negligent and denied that the trustees could be held legally responsible.. he pointed out that, from 1991, stewart and the woman ceased to be members of the same congregation.. stewart was never an employee of the jehovahs witness congregation and the trustees owed the woman no legal duty of care, he argued.. mr weitzman said: while it is accepted that, from august 1990, the elders knew (stewart) had sexually assaulted another child, there was not sufficient proximity between them and the claimant to impose such a duty.

nor would it be fair, just and reasonable to do so.. the high court hearing continues.. .

truthseekeriam

Is it any surprise why they refuse to turn over the files they have? Could you just imagine how many names and how many crimes against children that were never reported to the authorities?

12

Woman sues Jehovah's Witness elders over lack of protection from sex attacker

by truthseekeriam in

http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/woman-sues-jehovahs-witness-elders-8579862.

a woman who claims jehovahs witness elders failed to protect her from a predatory sex attacker who repeatedly abused her as a child is now battling for 500,000 compensation.. the woman, in her 20s, was molested by ministerial servant peter stewart over a five-year period in loughborough, leicestershire, in the 1980s and 90s, londons high court heard.. the trauma she suffered derailed her education and career, and led to harrowing nightmares and recurring thoughts of suicide, her barrister, james counsell, said.. matters came to a head after she passed out on her bed next to a pile of paracetamol while on holiday with her husband, having left him a suicide note, he added.. soon afterwards, she had a bad panic attack - triggered by seeing a collection of jehovahs witness literature.. that led to tense discussions with her husband, and her final decision to take legal action, mr counsell told the court.. the woman - who cannot be identified - is suing the trustees of the watchtower bible and tract society, alleging they are vicariously liable for stewarts crimes.. stewart was convicted of entirely separate offences of sexually abusing a schoolgirl and a young boy in 1995, said mr counsell.. he died in june 2001, aged 72, shortly before police arrived at his home to arrest him for sexually abusing the claimant.. stewart was an apparently respected and devout member of the congregation in loughborough, the court heard.. however, he repeatedly preyed on the girl between the ages of four and nine, using his position as a ministerial servant to commit these acts.. he molested her in a variety of situations - including both before and after and sometimes during watchtower study sessions, mr counsell claimed.. his attacks took a catastrophic toll, leaving his victim prone to vomiting at the memory, and with complex feelings of guilt and shame.. stewart forced her to keep silent by telling her that what she was doing was fornication and that she was sinning, the barrister explained.. he warned her that when armageddon came - a regular topic for general discussion at group and congregation meetings - she would not be saved because of what she was doing.. it was precisely because much of the abuse took place at public - and at jehovahs witness events - that she could not always avoid him, added mr counsell.. the woman first mustered the courage to disclose her abuse in 2000 - after hearing of stewarts imminent release from jail for his offences against the two school children.. stewarts former jehovahs witness congregation began an investigation but failed to contact the police, said the barrister, adding that the inquiry appeared to go nowhere.. that alleged inaction intensified her feelings of anger and the woman finally went to the police in may 2001.. but when the police went to stewarts home to arrest him they discovered from neighbours that he had died, added mr counsell.. the barrister alleged that jehovahs witness elders had known about stewarts activities with young girls since the very early days of the claimants abuse and had failed to prevent it continuing.. it was stewarts authority as a ministerial servant which allowed him to gain contact and befriend his victim, said mr counsell.. the abuse was committed while he was performing tasks to further the interests of jehovahs witnesses.. lawyers for the trustees are defending the case, insisting that proper steps were taken to protect its members and that stewart was not performing a pastoral role.. their counsel, adam weitzman, said he disputed that the elders were negligent and denied that the trustees could be held legally responsible.. he pointed out that, from 1991, stewart and the woman ceased to be members of the same congregation.. stewart was never an employee of the jehovahs witness congregation and the trustees owed the woman no legal duty of care, he argued.. mr weitzman said: while it is accepted that, from august 1990, the elders knew (stewart) had sexually assaulted another child, there was not sufficient proximity between them and the claimant to impose such a duty.

nor would it be fair, just and reasonable to do so.. the high court hearing continues.. .

truthseekeriam

http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/local-news/woman-sues-jehovahs-witness-elders-8579862

A WOMAN who claims Jehovah’s Witness elders failed to protect her from a predatory sex attacker who repeatedly abused her as a child is now battling for £500,000 compensation.

The woman, in her 20s, was molested by “ministerial servant” Peter Stewart over a five-year period in Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the 1980s and 90s, London’s High Court heard.

The trauma she suffered derailed her education and career, and led to harrowing nightmares and recurring thoughts of suicide, her barrister, James Counsell, said.

Matters came to a head after she “passed out on her bed next to a pile of paracetamol” while on holiday with her husband, “having left him a suicide note”, he added.

Soon afterwards, she had a “bad panic attack” - triggered by seeing a collection of Jehovah’s Witness literature.

That led to tense discussions with her husband, and her final decision to take legal action, Mr Counsell told the court.

The woman - who cannot be identified - is suing the Trustees of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, alleging they are “vicariously liable” for Stewart’s crimes.

Stewart was convicted of entirely separate offences of sexually abusing a schoolgirl and a young boy in 1995, said Mr Counsell.

He died in June 2001, aged 72, “shortly before police arrived at his home to arrest him for sexually abusing the claimant”.

Stewart was an apparently “respected and devout” member of the congregation in Loughborough, the court heard.

However, he repeatedly preyed on the girl between the ages of four and nine, “using his position as a ministerial servant to commit these acts”.

He molested her in a variety of situations - including “both before and after and sometimes during Watchtower study sessions”, Mr Counsell claimed.

His attacks took a catastrophic toll, leaving his victim prone to “vomiting” at the memory, and with complex feelings of guilt and shame.

Stewart forced her to keep silent by telling her that “what she was doing was fornication and that she was sinning”, the barrister explained.

He warned her that “when Armageddon came - a regular topic for general discussion at group and congregation meetings - she would not be saved because of what she was doing”.

“It was precisely because much of the abuse took place at public - and at Jehovah’s Witness events - that she could not always avoid him,” added Mr Counsell.

The woman first “mustered the courage” to disclose her abuse in 2000 - after hearing of Stewart’s imminent release from jail for his offences against the two school children.

Stewart’s former Jehovah’s Witness congregation “began an investigation” but failed to contact the police, said the barrister, adding that the inquiry “appeared to go nowhere”.

That alleged inaction “intensified her feelings of anger” and the woman finally went to the police in May 2001.

“But when the police went to Stewart’s home to arrest him they discovered from neighbours that he had died,” added Mr Counsell.

The barrister alleged that Jehovah’s Witness elders “had known about Stewart’s activities with young girls since the very early days of the claimant’s abuse and had failed to prevent it continuing”.

It was Stewart’s authority as a ministerial servant which allowed him to “gain contact and befriend” his victim, said Mr Counsell.

“The abuse was committed while he was performing tasks to further the interests of Jehovah’s Witnesses”.

Lawyers for the Trustees are defending the case, insisting that proper steps were taken to protect its members and that Stewart was not performing a “pastoral role”.

Their counsel, Adam Weitzman, said he “disputed that the elders were negligent” and denied that the Trustees could be held legally responsible.

He pointed out that, from 1991, Stewart and the woman “ceased to be members of the same congregation”.

Stewart was never an “employee” of the Jehovah’s Witness congregation and the Trustees owed the woman no legal “duty of care”, he argued.

Mr Weitzman said: “While it is accepted that, from August 1990, the elders knew (Stewart) had sexually assaulted another child, there was not sufficient proximity between them and the claimant to impose such a duty. Nor would it be fair, just and reasonable to do so.”

The High Court hearing continues.

Also on the Echo

16

Send money to KH in lieu of flowers.

by Jack Miller in

"in lieu of flowers send money to the kingdom hall"..... wow.... this young woman's jw servant husband was caught cheating on her again with another jw "sister", but when she told her husband she wanted to forgive him again and continue with her marriage, he told her he didn't want that.

he wanted her to simply move on with her life.here is how she moved on: she put on her wedding dress, got into her car in the garage and started it.

do you think finding her this way spoke louder than any suicide note?

truthseekeriam

So very sad.

21

Elders refused to help police investigation into the rape of a teenage girl

by Gadget in

church leaders refused to co-operate with a police investigation into a sex attack by one of their congregation on a teenage girl.. jehovahs witness paul atkin has now been jailed for five years after he admitted sexual activity with a 15-year-old.. a court heard the south shields based branch of the church carried out their own investigation after the allegation came to light and atkin was booted out.. but when police came knocking, church officials refused to help what was then a rape allegation, on the grounds of confidentiality.. prosecutor deborah smith told newcastle crown court: it would appear there was some form of investigation by the church.. we know the defendant was disfellowshipped as a consequence of that investigation but there has been no disclosure of any minutes of meetings with the defendant and the elders have refused to provide statements to the police, despite the fact the defendant is no longer a member of their congregation, on the grounds of confidentiality.. atkin, of east moffat street, south shields, was initially accused of rape but the charge was dropped when he admitted sexual activity with a child.. the court heard his victim was 15-and-a-half when he had sex with her.. miss smith said: she did not wish to have sexual intercourse with him.. the crown accept, having discussed matters with her, the defendant may reasonably have believed that she did.. she did not fight back or shout out at the time of the incident.. the court heard the woman is still on anti-depressants and says her self confidence has been shattered by the ordeal.. in a statement read to the court, the victim, who is now an adult, said: this has had a major effect on me and i cannot trust men.. i bottled everything up and as a teenager i turned to drink and drugs.. i hope he gets sent to prison and gets what he deserves.. judge simon hickey jailed atkin for five years and said he must sign the sex offenders register for life and abide by the terms of a sexual offences prevention order for five years.. the judge told him: this has had a huge effect upon this young lady.. gavin doig, defending, said atkin has a good, supportive family and partner and said his family describe him as a hard working man with a job who will face devastating consequences if sent to jail.. he added that it was atkin himself who had brought the matter to the attention of police.. mr doig told the court: this defendant made a very bad mistake a number of years ago.

he has not made any further mistakes.. he is extremely sorry he committed this offence knowing, as he did, the complainant was under age.. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/south-shields-jehovahs-witness-jailed-8567927.

truthseekeriam

They completely fail the most innocent when they stand on the side of the abuser. They may claim the don't take sides but the moment they fail to cooperate with the authorities they clearly take a side.

Just imagine what it feels like for the victims when elders their Shepard who they most likely have known most their lives refuse to help them?

14

Stop WT society information control by giving access to REAL information

by flipper in

jw
friends

of course we all know that many ex-jw's are doing this online constantly and that's a good thing.

whether by you tubes, websites, blogs, etc.

the worldwide community of ex-jw's has been and will continue to be proactive in putting out real information to counteract and offset the lies and fantasy propaganda put out by the wt society.

truthseekeriam

Love your idea of having printouts of the recent child molestation cases on hand. Maybe have a folder in the car or in a drawer by the front door.

I truly think it's easy to dismiss "apostates" when they come at you yelling and screaming scriptures at you. But if you appeal to them with concern for their children/grandchildren and show them with news reports/court documents you just might get to them.

I know in my case what happened to my family really disturbed many and I've heard some have left because of it. Child molestation is something most humans find unforgivable, I really think more and more JW's are finding out about what's happening within their religion, I'm hoping their conscience will kick in with a little help from all all of us.

19

CANDACE CONTI - MIXED EMOTIONS

by The Searcher in

whatever the outcome of the appeal, i fear that most of us are going to be very disappointed.. a) obviously if the org wins.. b) if the org loses, they will put their plan 'b' into action - damage limitation - which will iinvolve confidentiality agreements being signed by pending/future victims, thereby settling the majority of cases out of court, and winning in several ways;.

there are probably other benefits, but these are the principal ones, and for these reasons i reckon the floodgates will never be allowed to be opened!!!

they've seen how other establishments have responded to their pedophile cases, and have picked up some good tips on how to minimise the effects.

truthseekeriam

I think many witness do know about these cases...not that they would admit it or talk about it.

19

CANDACE CONTI - MIXED EMOTIONS

by The Searcher in

whatever the outcome of the appeal, i fear that most of us are going to be very disappointed.. a) obviously if the org wins.. b) if the org loses, they will put their plan 'b' into action - damage limitation - which will iinvolve confidentiality agreements being signed by pending/future victims, thereby settling the majority of cases out of court, and winning in several ways;.

there are probably other benefits, but these are the principal ones, and for these reasons i reckon the floodgates will never be allowed to be opened!!!

they've seen how other establishments have responded to their pedophile cases, and have picked up some good tips on how to minimise the effects.

truthseekeriam

The Conti case has already done what we all have hoped for. It exposed the JW's for what they are. It also gave many who were on the fence about talking to lawyers about their abuse the little push to do it.

The only disappointment I will feel if the WT wins this appeal is that Candace didn't get what she deserves, other then that I can only thank her for her strength.

I always share with my daughter (who was molested at 9) what Candace has done to help others and what a brave young woman she is to stand up to a powerful organization.

I think it's important to remember the good that has come out of this case and to keep up a positive attitude....it's not over yet.

Candace might be reading these comments. Let's give her some good vibes and well wishes :)

68

What I Saw & Heard in the Oral Argument Hearing on January 14, 2015

by ABibleStudent in

im not an attorney and i could not record the hearing, so please forgive me if i make mistakes in relating what i remember of the oral argument hearing for jane doe (i.e., candace conti) versus the watchtower bible & tract society on january 14, 2015 and the length of this post.. i arrived at the civic center/union plaza in san francisco, ca about 7:30. the area is very nice with a few homeless people sleeping in the park across from the courthouse.

it took me about 10 minutes to find the clerks office for the court on the first floor, which opened at 8:00.. once the clerks office opened, the two clerks who i talked with were very polite and helpful.

the arguments for jane doe (i.e., candace conti) versus the watchtower bible & tract society were scheduled 5th out of (i think) 8. while i was in the office a cameraman and another person for nbc arrived asking about the hearing for candace contis case.. the courtroom for the 1st appellate court is on the 4th floor and takes up most of that floor.

truthseekeriam

I know you can find the oral arguments on the internet for the Supreme Court but I'm guessing they don't have them for the lower courts?

Looks like you can find another break down on what went on from another attendee on JWsurvey.

68

What I Saw & Heard in the Oral Argument Hearing on January 14, 2015

by ABibleStudent in

im not an attorney and i could not record the hearing, so please forgive me if i make mistakes in relating what i remember of the oral argument hearing for jane doe (i.e., candace conti) versus the watchtower bible & tract society on january 14, 2015 and the length of this post.. i arrived at the civic center/union plaza in san francisco, ca about 7:30. the area is very nice with a few homeless people sleeping in the park across from the courthouse.

it took me about 10 minutes to find the clerks office for the court on the first floor, which opened at 8:00.. once the clerks office opened, the two clerks who i talked with were very polite and helpful.

the arguments for jane doe (i.e., candace conti) versus the watchtower bible & tract society were scheduled 5th out of (i think) 8. while i was in the office a cameraman and another person for nbc arrived asking about the hearing for candace contis case.. the courtroom for the 1st appellate court is on the 4th floor and takes up most of that floor.

truthseekeriam

Thank you for sharing.

I guess now it's time to wait... My thoughts are with Candace Conti right now.