“I was told they would strongly advise me against reporting it to the police,” she says. “It would bring reproach on God’s name and look bad for the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
“They thrust a couple of Awake magazines in my hand and said there were stories of other sisters who had been through a similar situation of abuse, and that they had turned to Jehovah and prayed. They said our religion would help me get over it.
“They also said I couldn’t get counselling because that would also be talking to outside sources and would bring shame on our religion.
“They said, ‘If you want to get counselling come to us.’ But why would I go and speak to three men about my sexual abuse?
“They were sympathetic but basically said not to burden the congregation by telling any of my friends because it could bring them down spiritually. I was embarrassed because I was thinking, ‘Did I do anything wrong? Was it me?’
“I didn’t feel I got the support I should have got. It was gut-wrenching.”
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“I heard someone say my main goal was to bash the religion, as opposed to getting justice.
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I guess that last sentiment is why her parents were able to turn on her so completely, this mentality of: Protect the religion at all costs.
