Jehovah’s Witness Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania

As stories have told over the years, many religious institutions have been exposed for covering up sexual abuse.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have certainly not been immune from accusations. There have been several high-profile trials involving officials of the organization.

Sexual abuse is never acceptable anywhere. It is even more unpalatable when it happens within a religious institution meant to protect its members. Unfortunately, many instances go unreported.

Recently, however, the adoption of new laws in many states has made the process easier for victims of historical sexual abuse to seek justice.

Sexual Abuse Coverup Within The Jehovah’s Witnesses

Unfortunately, as is the case with other well-documented religious institutions in the country, there appears to be a long history of coverups of sexual abuse within the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Rather than addressing such a severe issue and siding with the victim, the institution has been guilty of sidelining or downplaying the problems or pretending that they do not exist, according to multiple sources.

Sexual abuse within the Jehovah’s Witnesses has been known by the leaders at least since the 1990s. A letter was sent to over 10,000 US congregations and others worldwide explaining what to do with known sexual predators. This was an apparent attempt to protect the organization from a legal standpoint.

This systemic coverup, together with the Jehovah’s Witness “two-witness rule” (read more about this below), has meant that victims have often been left with nowhere to turn.

Even worse, victims are sometimes shamed and told that they invited the abusive behavior or are threatened with being ostracized for speaking out.

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is responsible for overseeing the Jehovah’s Witnesses and has a history of noncompliance with law enforcement and state authorities when it comes to investigating crimes.

Why Has Sexual Abuse Within The Jehovah’s Witnesses Not Been Eradicated?

There are several reasons why more perpetrators of sexual abuse within the Jehovah’s Witnesses have not been prosecuted – and why it is still seemingly so prevalent today.

Avoiding The Reporting Of Abuse To Authorities

There is a loophole in the state laws that aids the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other religious organizations in withholding information that can lead to criminal investigations.

Religious leaders may withhold information if it was received through a “confidential, spiritual communication.”

The confession in the Catholic Church is one good example of this so-called “clergy-penitent privilege”. The legal department of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has used this loophole to avoid passing on details of the abuse to the police.

Avoiding Investigations With The “Two-witness Rule”

The notorious “two-witness rule” prohibits elders from investigating allegations of sexual abuse unless another witness was present at the crime.

Sexual abuse cases rarely occur anywhere but behind closed doors, and there are usually no other witnesses present.

This not only discourages victims from reporting their abuse. If they approach a leader, their claims are unlikely to be investigated.

Avoiding Prosecution With The Refusal To Release The Sexual Predator Database

The letter sent by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society informing congregations of what to do with sexual predators asked them to compile a detailed and confidential report.

In doing so, the Jehovah’s Witnesses likely created one of the world’s largest confidential databases of sexual abusers.

Multiple court orders have been issued by authorities to access this database of known sexual predators. However, the organization has failed to release the information on each occasion.

Filing Sexual Abuse Claims Against The Jehovah’s Witnesses

Some victims of sexual abuse believe their abuse happened too long ago to receive any measure of justice. Many have had to live with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions since childhood.

Fortunately, changes to the law in most states have lengthened the statute of limitations on sexual abuse cases and made the process easier for reporting historical cases of abuse.

Despite attempts by Jehovah’s Witnesses to insulate itself from prosecution, the courage of victims coming forward is increasingly accountability.

By filing sexual abuse claims, victims can achieve some measure of the justice that has eluded them for years. While also presenting a deterrent that may help protect other victims from suffering the same fate in the future.

Recognition of the crimes committed and long-denied justice is often the ultimate reward for victims. Additionally, they may also be entitled to financial compensation.

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has already paid millions of dollars to victims. We can assist in bringing your case to light and seeking the justice and restitution you deserve.

Start with a free and confidential consultation with a sexual abuse attorney here at Andreozzi + Foote.