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Jehovah's Witnesses, as an organization, have been accused of covering up cases of child molestation commited by their members. The religious group came under scrutiny parallel to the discovery of systematic abuse and cover-ups, most famously, within the Catholic Church in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Although other religions had less-noted issues concerning sexual abuse. (Anglicans in Australia, Unitarian/Universalism, and possibly Greek Orthodox Christians)

In February 2001, Christianity Today printed an article alleging that Jehovah's Witness policies made reporting sexual abuse difficult for members, and did not follow legal norms on the issue. Shortly after, in 2002, Erica Rodriguez filed a suit in the US District Court in Spokane, Washington. Manuel Beliz was convicted of abusing her and, was sentenced to eleven years' imprisonment for his crime. In her suit, Rodriguez sought unspecified damages from Beliz for her abuse, and also from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. In 2003, Heidi Meyer alleged that her pleas concerning sexual abuse were dismissed and that this is a widespread problem.

In response, Jehovah's Witnesses stated their opposition to any form of child abuse, declaring that where child abuse can be proven to their standards (two adult Jehovah's Witness witnesses or voluntary confession), and the member is unrepentant, he or she is (or ought to be) disfellowshipped (expelled from the religious institution).

William H. Bowen, a critic and former member of the religion, who founded Silent Lambs, went so far as to state: "I refuse to support a pedophile refuge mentality that is promoted among bodies of elders around the world. Criminals should be ousted, identified and punished to protect the innocent and give closure to the victim."

Witnesses do not accept such charges. They defend themselves by stating that they obey all legal requirements for reporting sex offenders, and that they do discipline and disfellowship (excommunicate) pedophiles. They also vigorously dispute statements that encourage a negative view of an already oft-persecuted religious group.

The Watchtower Society has issued a press release that states, in part, "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."

One common criticism of Jehovah's Witness policy regarding sex abuse is that the victim is encouraged to first report the crime to the elders. Later, the victim may decide to report the crime to civil authorities. The elders are not instructed to encourage or discourage a report to civil authorities, nor do the elders themselves report the crime (though in some cases, elders have allegedly suggested to the victims that reporting the case could tarnish the reputation of the organization). Any delays in reporting sex crimes to civil authorities and collection of available evidence decreases the likelihood of successful prosecution of the accused offender. (PDF format)

The BBC reported on the controversy around Jehovah Witness child abuse in July 2002, in the Panorama program "Suffer the Little Children". The details and transcript are at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/2114320.stm.

Jehovah's Witnesses spokesman for the Britian branch office, Paul Gillies, comments: "Elders in Britain are directed to ensure that secular laws are adhered to. When a report is received, elders contact our National Office in London for guidance to ensure that (1) the alleged victim, and other potential victims, are protected from possible abuse and (2) that counsel is given to report crime to the proper authorities and to comply with any additional legal requirements. Jehovah's Witnesses further believe that it is the absolute right of the victim, his or her family, or any others to report the matter to the authorities if they so choose. There are certainly no sanctions against any congregation member who reports an allegation of child abuse to the authorities."

References

• Robinson, B.A. (2003), "Jehovah's Witnesses and child sex abuse", ReligiousTolerance.org. Retrieved 29 July 2005.
• Jehovah's Witneses and Child Protection
• Vleugel, Rado, "Jehovah's Witnesses & (sexual) child abuse", watchtowerinformationservice.org. Retrieved 29 July 2005.
• Inquires on Child Abuse by J.R. Brown
• "Child Abuse Among JWs", Investigator Magazine, Volume 93.
• Tubbs, Sharon (22 August 2002), "Spiritual shunning", St. Petersburg Times.
• U.S. Department of Justice (September, 2004) "A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations (Adults/Adolescents)" (PDF format)
• 2001 Christianity Today article by Corrie Cutrer

See also

• Roman Catholic Church and child sexual abuse

External links

• Article of Erica Rodriguez's suit
• Jehovah's Witnesses' Response on child abuse, from official site (video)
• Jehovah's Witnesses Official Policy on Child Protection, from official site

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