Child Abuse Among JWs.
14 Nov '11 16:17In response to JWs on this site claiming that they have much lower rate of Child Abuse that other organisations. Check out the true story.
********************************************
"In the organization, you have to have two witnesses, and of course it's almost impossible to have two witnesses to a child molestation. So if a parent comes with their daughter to the elder, they ask and he says, no, I didn't do it, then that's the end of the matter. I would like to see them recognize it, take it to the civil authorities and professionals that are capable and qualified to help the victims." Joe Anderson, former Jehovah's Witness elder. 1
Placing abuse in perspective:
Since the year 2000, evidence has emerged of widespread child sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church, and of subsequent payoffs and cover-ups by the church. Some evidence of sexual abuse within the Watchtower Society (WTS) has also appeared in the media in recent years. What is missing is a measure of balance.
Sexual abuse is found throughout society. Approximately 1% of girls are so abused by their fathers before puberty, and about 1% by their step-fathers. Abuse of boys is at a lower level. There is really no reliable data which demonstrates whether religion plays a role in this phenomenon. We have never located any trustworthy evidence that sexual abuse of pre-pubertal children is higher or lower in the WTS when compared to the Roman Catholic Church, other faith groups, or in society as a whole.
WTS rules about abuse:
Christianity bases its beliefs and practices on the Christian Scriptures (New Testament). Three main themes in the Scriptures are:
- A person should forgive someone who has hurt or abused them.
- Individuals can be redeemed.
- People can change through prayer and spiritual support.
These biblical themes often come into conflict with secular standards, which may include beliefs that:
- Abusive pedophiles, hebephiles, and ephebophilies should be punished for their crimes against children.
- Child sexual abuse perpetrators typically molest dozens of children before they are caught. Thus, they have to be isolated from new potential victims, at least until they receive counseling and there is some confidence that they will not reoffend.
- Parents need to be informed if a child abuser is in their group or neighborhood.
Every religious institution develops their own policies and regulations concerning accusations of child sexual and physical abuse. The Jehovah's Witnesses organization follows a biblical standard when investigating allegations of any offense on the part of a member. Proof that an offense has occurred requires either: A confession on the part of the alleged perpetrator, or The testimony of at least two witnesses to a single case of abuse, 2 or The testimony of one witness to abuse, followed by testimony of a second witness to another instance of abuse. 2,3
In the case of sexual abuse, the only witnesses are usually the perpetrator and the victim. As a result, proof cannot often be obtained unless the perpetrator is willing to confess to the crime. According to a 1995 article in the Watchtower, a publication of the Watchtower Society (WTS), if proof cannot be obtained, elders are to "explain to the accuser that nothing more can be done in a judicial (church disciplinary) way...the congregation will continue to view the one accused as an innocent person." The article suggested that "The question of his guilt or innocence can be safely left in Jehovah's (God's) hands." Some victims ask for more.
Read the whole story at ... http://www.religioustolerance.org/witness7.htm
********************************************
"In the organization, you have to have two witnesses, and of course it's almost impossible to have two witnesses to a child molestation. So if a parent comes with their daughter to the elder, they ask and he says, no, I didn't do it, then that's the end of the matter. I would like to see them recognize it, take it to the civil authorities and professionals that are capable and qualified to help the victims." Joe Anderson, former Jehovah's Witness elder. 1
Placing abuse in perspective:
Since the year 2000, evidence has emerged of widespread child sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church, and of subsequent payoffs and cover-ups by the church. Some evidence of sexual abuse within the Watchtower Society (WTS) has also appeared in the media in recent years. What is missing is a measure of balance.
Sexual abuse is found throughout society. Approximately 1% of girls are so abused by their fathers before puberty, and about 1% by their step-fathers. Abuse of boys is at a lower level. There is really no reliable data which demonstrates whether religion plays a role in this phenomenon. We have never located any trustworthy evidence that sexual abuse of pre-pubertal children is higher or lower in the WTS when compared to the Roman Catholic Church, other faith groups, or in society as a whole.
WTS rules about abuse:
Christianity bases its beliefs and practices on the Christian Scriptures (New Testament). Three main themes in the Scriptures are:
- A person should forgive someone who has hurt or abused them.
- Individuals can be redeemed.
- People can change through prayer and spiritual support.
These biblical themes often come into conflict with secular standards, which may include beliefs that:
- Abusive pedophiles, hebephiles, and ephebophilies should be punished for their crimes against children.
- Child sexual abuse perpetrators typically molest dozens of children before they are caught. Thus, they have to be isolated from new potential victims, at least until they receive counseling and there is some confidence that they will not reoffend.
- Parents need to be informed if a child abuser is in their group or neighborhood.
Every religious institution develops their own policies and regulations concerning accusations of child sexual and physical abuse. The Jehovah's Witnesses organization follows a biblical standard when investigating allegations of any offense on the part of a member. Proof that an offense has occurred requires either: A confession on the part of the alleged perpetrator, or The testimony of at least two witnesses to a single case of abuse, 2 or The testimony of one witness to abuse, followed by testimony of a second witness to another instance of abuse. 2,3
In the case of sexual abuse, the only witnesses are usually the perpetrator and the victim. As a result, proof cannot often be obtained unless the perpetrator is willing to confess to the crime. According to a 1995 article in the Watchtower, a publication of the Watchtower Society (WTS), if proof cannot be obtained, elders are to "explain to the accuser that nothing more can be done in a judicial (church disciplinary) way...the congregation will continue to view the one accused as an innocent person." The article suggested that "The question of his guilt or innocence can be safely left in Jehovah's (God's) hands." Some victims ask for more.
Read the whole story at ... http://www.religioustolerance.org/witness7.htm
Back to Top