At CohenMalad. LLP, we’ve given a voice to victims for decades. With over 55+ years of experience, we know how complex a Jehovah’s Witness sexual abuse case can be.
The perpetrators are in a position of power, which they abused, and you have a right to seek justice. It’s not easy to report a crime when you’re a part of a religious organization where followers may not:
- Support you
- Agree that abuse occurred
- Protect members or children adequately
The Jehovah’s Witnesses population is 8.8+ million members spread across 118,000 congregations. Members have a right to feel safe and secure during worship.
Victims are left with physical and emotional scars that take a lifetime to fade. Your case can help prevent others from feeling the same pain and confusion you felt at the hands of someone you put your trust in.
We’ll guide you with the care and compassion you deserve at this time. Our team has extensive training with mental health professionals to remain sensitive and never revictimize victims of abuse.
Call (866) 446-7478 or fill out the below to schedule a free, confidential consultation with our compassionate attorneys.
Abuse in Jehovah’s Witness Congregations Continue
You’re not alone. Cases of abuse are popping up around the world, including congregations in the U.S., Canada, the UK and many other areas. Pennsylvania victims recently came forward, and the Attorney General conducted a year-long investigation into the matter.
Victims, all children of the congregation, trusted their attackers, who worked to gain their trust before the attack. One victim was developmentally disabled and just four years old at the time of the abuse.
Five church members were found guilty of abuse.
Each of these cases is unique, but it remains clear that the defendants were all part of Jehovah’s Witness congregations. Abuse often occurred multiple times and some spanned years.
Abuse in these cases included indecent exposure, corruption of minors, sexual conversations, aggravated assault and rape.
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
Watchtower is an entity founded in 1884, and it is the main entity used by Jehovah’s Witnesses as a sort of parent corporation. Lawsuits against the “Society” accuse it of covering up abuse for decades and failing to protect children from abuse.
Jehovah’s Witness sexual abuse linked to the Society spreads to branches around the world, with many files remaining “secret” after settlements are made.
Investigations into Watchtower found that since 1950, claims of abuse have been concealed. Allegedly, thousands of cases were concealed over the decades, and victims had their claims dismissed by leaders.
Failed policies remain a concern for victims who still see headlines of abuse routinely in the news.
Will There Be a National Database?
Victims of Jehovah’s Witness abuse are said to be added to a secret database that is held by Watchtower. The internal database is filled with reports and allegations of abuse against children, and reports of the database go back to 2002.
The BBC ran a report on the matter, which showed that Watchtower receives and often ignores reports of abuse.
One child in the report told the elders in the congregation that her father abused her. Watchtower did not pursue the matter and the father was eventually convicted years later.
As of now, there are no talks of a national database of abusers being made by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
I Was a Victim of Jehovah’s Witness Sexual Abuse. Who Can I Report to?
If you were the victim of sexual abuse under the Jehovah’s Witness congregation, you can report the incident to:
- Your local police department
- A medical professional
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For more information about reporting options and resources in your area, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673).
Fighting for Justice for Sexual Abuse Victims
Survivors of sexual abuse under the Jehovah’s Witness organization are stepping forward to make their voices heard and hold responsible parties accountable.
If you are a survivor, you can seek justice through civil litigation. Along with providing much-needed compensation for victims and families, lawsuits give survivors a chance to have their voices and stories heard. They can also spark change in organizations like the Jehovah’s’ Witness congregation.
For organizations like these to change their policies and prevent future abuse, serious action must be taken.
Many survivors have stepped forward in recent years. Past investigations and sexual abuse lawsuits include:
- A Pennsylvania woman received a settlement of an undisclosed amount after suing the elder who abused her, the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Spring Grove Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York. The family reported the abuse to church elders, who failed to notify authorities even though it was state law to do so.
- A California court ordered the Watchtower Society to pay $20 million in damages to a survivor who was abused by an elder as a child. The congregation failed to notify parents of the danger or report the abuse despite the elder having a known history of abusing his stepdaughter.
- A Canadian court has approved a class-action lawsuit against the Watchtower, allowing current or former victims in Quebec to join.
Navigating the Claim Process
Litigation against the Jehovah’s Witness organization focuses primarily on negligence on the part of elders and other leaders who failed to notify authorities of abuse reports.
The policies used by Jehovah’s’ Witnesses to handle reports of child sexual abuse are concerning. The congregation has a “two witness” rule, which effectively prevents abuse from being reported to the authorities.
Under this rule, victims are discouraged from reporting incidents if:
- The accused does not confess
- There aren’t two witnesses to the crime
Victims are instead encouraged to put the matter in “Jehovah’s hands.” Rarely will there be witnesses to crimes of sexual abuse apart from the victim and perpetrator.
The two-witness rule leaves most reports of sexual abuse to be handled internally. To protect the organization’s reputation, allegations and reports of abuse are often swept under the rug and never properly investigated.
Furthermore, the organization has a policy to keep reasons for dismissal of members confidential. Predators are then free to walk away and continue their harmful actions against members of new congregations.
Our attorneys will review the evidence and listen to your story to build a strong claim and help you pursue justice.
Resources for Survivors
The following resources may be helpful for survivors of Jehovah’s Witness sexual abuse.
Contact CohenMalad, LLP to Schedule a Consultation
Sexual abuse is one of the most traumatic and painful experiences one can endure. The emotional, psychological and physical impact can last a lifetime. Responsible parties must be held accountable for their criminal actions.
The survivor-focused attorneys at CohenMalad, LLP have more than 55 years of proven results. We understand the sensitive and personal nature of your case and will help you navigate the complex claim process while protecting your rights and interests.
Contact our firm today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
