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