Letter from the Minister for Legal Protection
To the President of the Second Chamber of the States-General The Hague, 12 December 2017
With this letter I respond to the request of the Standing Committee on Justice and Security of 24 July 2017 to comment on the reporting in daily marriage about the handling of sexual abuse within the Jehovah witnesses.
Sexual violence is unacceptable and has a major impact on the victim. The cabinet considers it very important that victims of sexual violence have access to the right care and support. In particular, if cross-border sexual behaviour occurs within a dependency relationship, I see an important task for the environment to accompany the victim to the right help. The victim deserves support from his environment in reporting the incident to the police and in seeking help and support, so that the violence stops sustainably.
Employees of my ministry are on 2 November JL. In conversation with a representation of the board of the Jehovah witnesses. In The interview, the Ministry has highlighted the important role of the environment to support victims of sexual abuse. It is in the interests of the victims that they are encouraged to seek help from specific institutions such as safe home and sexual assault centres and that they can report to the police.
It stressed the additional safeguards that could promote a climate in which victims seek help. The measures taken by the RK Church in response to signals of sexual abuse, including the independent investigation carried out by the Commission Davis, have been mentioned. With this independent investigation, the Davis Commission has made an important contribution to restoring the suffering suffered by victims. The Jehovah Witnesses have been called upon to implement the measures taken by the RK Church (prevention) Study and where possible to take over. I also pointed out to the Jehovah witnesses to the various bodies which have been set up by the Government for the provision of assistance to victims of sexual violence. The Board of Directors has been given information about the working method of safe home.
During this interview, the board members of the Jehovah Witnesses have indicated in a first reaction that there are witnesses within the community of the Jehovah to prevent and address abuse. They also announced that victims are being encouraged to report to the police. In the interview, it was agreed that the board of the Jehovah Witnesses, in response to the examples mentioned by the Ministry, will further identify the measures to be taken to prevent sexual abuse within their community as much as possible. They will also indicate the way in which victims of sexual violence are collected within the community and how the referral to aid and the police are proceeding. The board has agreed that early 2018 will be a follow-up call.
In that conversation, I will also have the news in newspaper Trouw 28 November 2017 involving the recently established Foundation reclaimed Voices indicates multiple reports of sexual abuse within the Jehovah witnesses received. I understand from the news that the board of the Jehovah Witnesses has now indicated that the conversation with the foundation wants to go. The foundation will also be invited to a conversation with the ministry officials.
The Minister for Legal Protection,
S. Dekker