JWs would have you believe they care about children and protect the victims. They will tell you that they have a policy to deal with child abuse cases. They actually have two - one for the public and one that was shown on Dateline the other night. The public policy states that they encourage people to go to the police in states where it is mandated by law. Their website at http://www.jw-media.org/releases/default.htm?content=bg_molestation.htm
states--------When any one of Jehovah's Witnesses is accused of an act of child abuse, the local congregation elders are expected to investigate. Two elders meet separately with the accused and the accuser to see what each says on the matter. If the accused denies the charge, the two elders may arrange for him and the victim to restate their position in each other's presence, with the elders also there. If during that meeting the accused still denies the charges and there are no others who can substantiate them, the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time. Why not? As a Bible-based organization, we must adhere to what the Scriptures say, namely, "No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin . . . at the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good." (Deuteronomy 19:15) Jesus reaffirmed this principle as recorded at Matthew 18:15-17. However, if two persons are witnesses to separate incidents of the same kind of wrongdoing, their testimony may be deemed sufficient to take action.------------
OK the problem with this is that child molestation occurs in private. Only on very rare circumstances would there be 2 witnesses so the victim gets no support at all if he denies it.
They continue...--------However, even if the elders cannot take congregational action, they are expected to report the allegation to the branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses in their country, if local privacy laws permit. In addition to making a report to the branch office, the elders may be required by law to report even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to the authorities. If so, we expect the elders to comply. Additionally, the victim may wish to report the matter to the authorities, and it is his or her absolute right to do so.
Notice they are expected to report to WT headquarters but may report it to the authorites if the state requires it. Notice more attention is given to reporting it to the elders in the congregation who then report it to WT headquarters than reporting to the police who are trained to make this type of investigation.
If, when confronted, the accused confesses that he is guilty of child abuse, the elders take appropriate congregational action. If he is not repentant, he will not be permitted to remain a member of the congregation. ---------
This would mean he would be thrown out of the congregation (called disfellowshipping) but it does not mean he would then be reported to the authorities.
-------Even if he is repentant—is cut to the heart and is thus resolutely determined to avoid such conduct in the future—what was stated in the January 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower applies. The article said: "For the protection of our children, a man known to have been a child molester does not qualify for a responsible position in the congregation. Moreover, he cannot be a pioneer [full-time missionary of Jehovah's Witnesses] or serve in any other special, full-time service." He would not qualify Scripturally. (1 Timothy 3:2, 7-10) We take such action because we are concerned with maintaining Bible standards and protecting our children. Everyone in our organization is expected to meet the same requirements, namely, to be clean physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually.—2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Thessalonians 2:4. -----------
OK He can't have any special privileges. But no one is warned that he has abused a child. No one is told to keep there children away from him. No one is watching this person to make sure they don't abuse another child because only a very select few know anything at all. When people are disciplined anyone who knows about the case is under orders not to let others in the congregation know about it. The victim and her family are bound to secrecy because the elders have taken care of it and to talk to anyone would mean they are going outside of the congregation arrangement and could be disfellowshipped. They could also be accused of gossiping and disfellowshiped for that.
There is also no ruling that he can't go door to door. The Dateline show stated that he would not be allowed to go alone. Well reality is that nothing would stop this man from coming home from work one day - gathering his bag and magazines and start knocking on doors. The JWs often meet in small groups before they go out. If the abuser is the only male all women would be forced to defer to him and he would be forced to take the lead - so much for no privileges. He then would be expected to read some scriptures and say the prayer to lead every one out in the door to door work. Since he is in charge he calls the shots - a sure sign of leadership and privilege to me. And since none of the sisters know of his status they would not over-ride his authority as a male in the group.
-----------In a few instances, individuals guilty of an act of child abuse have been appointed to positions within the congregation if their conduct has been otherwise exemplary for decades. All of the factors are considered carefully. Suppose, for example, that a long time ago a 16-year-old boy had sexual relations with a consenting 15-year-old girl. Depending upon the U.S. jurisdiction where he lived when this happened, elders may have been required to report this as an incident of child abuse. Let us say that 20 years have passed. The child abuse reporting law may have changed; the man may have even married the girl! Both have been living exemplary lives and they are respected. In such a rare case, the man could possibly be appointed to a responsible position within the congregation. --------------
Well it seems this principle of time passing and no further reports is an indication to the elders that the person has changed. They would use this illustration to give privileges to anyone whether thay had been 15 or 35 at the time of the abuse. Anyone in a responsible position who is guilty of child abuse would be removed from his responsibilities without hesitation. We certainly would not knowingly allow him to serve elsewhere, either because he moved or through a transfer.
If he moves congregations during those years his record goes with him but the new congregation may determine that he has changed and reinstate his privileges.
----------------The Bible teaches that individuals can repent of their sins and "turn to God by doing works that befit repentance," and we accept what the Bible says. (Acts 26:20) Still, the safety of our children is of the utmost importance. We take it very seriously. ----------
It is widely accepted that pedophiles do not change. Jail does not change them. Therapy almost never changes them. Certain time isn't going to change them. Notice too that there is absolutely no mention of the person going for counseling. There also is no mention of the victim getting counseling. But despite this lack of support and counseling, despite getting the authorities involved they seem to think that given enough time and no further reports this is an indication the person has changed and would not reabuse. Perhaps he is just more careful. Perhaps his victims are not JWs anymore.
This is what they want you to believe but in reality there is another policy - one you won't hear about.
In this policy the WT reputation and concern about potential lawsuits are primary.
The Dateline show had a tape of Bill Bowen talking to the WT legal dept who counseled him to ask the alleged abuser if there was any truth to the allegations. If he denied it they Bill should walk away and not get himself into a jamb.
The Silent Lambs website is full of stories where people were discouraged from going to the authorities especially when the abuser was another JW. The policy int the WT org is that if you have a problem with a brother in the cong go talk to him. If that doesn't work take another person and if that doesn't work go to the elders. Elders are unpaid volunteers. They are NOT trained to deal with abuse. They are not counselors. But the JWs are expected to go to them first. Before they go to the authorities, In fact JWs will tell you there is a Biblical basis for this
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1997/1/1/article_01.htm
-------------An example of this was seen in the first-century congregation at Corinth. The apostle Paul heard of a case of incestuous fornication in that young congregation, and he gave instructions that the man involved be disfellowshipped. Later, the sinner repented, and Paul exhorted the congregation to reinstate him. (1 Corinthians 5:1, 13; 2 Corinthians 2:5-9) Thus, by the healing power of Jehovah's loving kindness and the great value of Jesus' ransom sacrifice, the man was cleansed of his sin. Similar things may happen today. ------------------
Also
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1995/11/1a/article_01.htm
--------------What if the sufferer decides that he wants to make an accusation?# 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.
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.--------------------
So unless there are 2 witnesses to the same event or the person admits his wrong-doing the victim has no recourse. The elders close the case saying they can do nothing. The abuser is free and continues in the congregation as an innocent person. In fact there will be no record of this allegation and this means if in the future there are further allegations there is no paper trail regarding a past history.
The WT organization wants people to believe they are better than other religions. In fact they believe they are the only religion on earth today that is following God’s word. They want you to believe these problems do not exist in their organization. They want you to believe that they are unlike other organizations but the reality is they are not exempt from this just like no other religion is exempt from child abuse. They also want their members to believe that they are in God’s clean organization where these things do not occur. They want the members to believe they have God’s protection from such things.
In reality gag orders to make the victims and family keep the secret about the abuse serve to protect the abuser. He is free to continue preying on children. It serves to protect a carefully built up a reputation that the WT organization is better than any other religion and it alone has God’s blessing.
In the end everybody loses.
The victim does not get the safety or help she needs.
Her family is not supported.
The abuser is not properly investigated and appropriate actions taken to stop him.
The congregation is not safe because an abuser is free to prey on their children.
The public is not safe because he is knocking at your doors.
The organization is not safe because secrets eventually come out and cause scandal - like now.
A not-so-silent lamb
Aspire to inspire before you expire
