On March 10th 2017, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society was called back before The Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse.
Watchtower had previously appeared before the Commission in Case Study 29, where its policies and practices were subjected to a detailed expert analysis. The resulting discoveries made news headlines around the world, and resulted in a damning final report from the Commission that left Watchtower’s credibility in this area in tatters.
Nearly two years later, the Watchtower was called back so that the Commission could analyse what its response to the Commission’s finding had been. Now this hearing has also taken place, and the transcripts and live footage is available for the public to review.
We did not see the kind of jaw dropping spectacle observed during Case Study 29, such as Watchtower’s own expert witness turning on them, or the Commission directly accusing Watchtower’s leadership of deception. However, whilst the testimony was less dramatic, it was certainly no less important, showcasing Watchtower’s woeful response to the recommendations of the Commission and their lack of understanding as to the grave risks their policies posed to the safety of children both inside and outside the congregation.
We are working on a number of articles that will analyse various aspects of what transpired at the Case Study 54 hearing. In the meantime, we kick off proceedings with a 2 hour analysis video hosted on the YouTube channel of JW Survey founder Lloyd Evans.
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