Yesterday, February 16, 2015, at 6pm EST, PBS Newshour aired a stunning 9-minute expose of Watchtower’s policy of secrecy regarding pedophiles. Anyone who watched it will have been given a shocking glimpse of the magnitude of the problem of child sex abuse among Jehovah’s Witnesses.
As we reported on Saturday, investigative reporter Trey Bundy of The Center for Investigative Reporting has been working for many months interviewing various sources both inside and outside the organization.
Trey has looked over thousands of documents, including letters to elders (“memos” as he calls them), verifying that this is not simply a case of a few predators infiltrating an otherwise safe and responsible organization. There IS a systemic, firmly entrenched policy of silence and secrecy mandated by the Governing Body, inspired by their “two witness rule,” prohibiting elders from going straight to the police when accusations of child molestation arise.
Now, after many months of hard work on Trey’s part, we can now see the fruits of his meticulous investigation in this stunning, no-holds-barred report.
The above video is a remarkable piece of investigative journalism, and I for one haven’t seen anything like it before.
In my opinion, this even surpasses the Dateline and BBC reports on child abuse of 2002. Why? Because Trey Bundy, with his measured, non-sensationalist tone, calmly sets about presenting unequivocal evidence of the scandal without relying on hysteria, menacing music or people weeping in front of the camera.
Damning letters and court depositions are shown, victims and former elders are interviewed, and we even get a glimpse of Watchtower arrogantly defending itself in court during the final oral arguments for the Candace Conti appeal by quoting scripture at the judge.
“Religious beliefs and standards of Jehovah’s Witnesses were at play in this case from start to to finish,” protests Jim McCabe on behalf of Watchtower at the Supreme Court of California. This statement alone should help convince Jehovah’s Witnesses that this is not a case of one or two bad apples. This is a problem that goes all the way to the top.
Further reading…
- PBS report: Did leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses cover up child sex abuse?
- “The Takeaway” report on covering up of child abuse by Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Here and Now article
- Jezebel article
- Trey Bundy radio interview on “The California Report”
- Is the media finally grasping just how bad Watchtower’s child abuse problem is?
- JWsurvey articles on child abuse
Related videos…
I am so happy that this was brought out in the open. There are so many people who were molested in the Kingdom Halls and their lives ruined. The elders DO hush it up. I wish that they had brought up Silent Lambs.org and people could see the victims. I knew about a molester who had molested before and was currently molesting his little girl. When it was brought up to the elders I was told to keep my mouth shut, how dare I speak against a brother and bring reproach on Jehovah’s organization. I spoke up anyway and the
“man” was sent to prison. We hear of the Catholic priests but seldom the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It’s a real crime that needs to be exposed. Do you know who is knocking at your door?
This “Elder Confidentiality Letter” is PURE EVIL. Those pages may as well have been ripped straight out of Mein Kampf. By the way, those ASSHOLES (sorry for the language, but I have 5 nieces and nephews in the jehovah witlesses) need to learn that they are OBLIGATED BY LAW to surrender even CONFIDENTIAL information to the “secular authorities” (eg. police officers, detectives, investigators, prosecutors, etc., etc., etc.)!!! Refusal to do so constitutes Obstruction of Justice (a word they grossly overuse, abuse, and have no idea the meaning of), Interference with an Investigation, Failure to Cooperate with a Police Officer, Accessory to a Felony, etc., etc., etc., ALL punishable by a substantial PRISON SENTENCE. THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY IS NOT IMMUNE TO THE LAWS OF THE LAND, REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERCEIVED “RIGHTS”!!!!!!
@my name is not sister,Ime with you on this one,it’s going to be a mighty pile of chunda by the time it’s all over.
I see this as brain cancer having disastrous effects on certain parts of the body of the planet. It needs to be nipped in the bud.
Its an operation of Satans spirit not of Jehovahs.. Jws are in darkness ruled by satans perverted mind..
How sad for any under this dark influence or who believe in bad being good. Two witness rule does not apply to raping and molesting children.. thats a fact..
any good about them is flushed due to their sexual kingship Over vulnerable people.
I know this will come off as a ridiculous oversimplification, but really, ALL victims and their families should report straight to the police. Totally circumvent the evil WT Witless System. Obviously easier said than done. So many convoluted psychoemotional and social obstacles in place due to extensive brainwashing, conditioning and indoctrination. No one wants to be viewed as a rat or a traitor and possibly shunned, even if not officially. It would be a way to circumvent that ridiculous clergy-penitent loophole. As for the laughable 2-witness rule, who the Hell commits child rape in front of an audience???
@Charles Costante
Excellent analogy. Though I would say it’s spread thru the whole body, and it’s more than a bud that needs to be nipped!
@Catalina& @ Mac. Loved both your comments.! You both have MORE WISDOM than the Whole Governing Body put Together!!!
@Neal Krouni . Thought your comment & advice was Spot On !! I agree the Governing Body have a Strong Psychological GRIP on the MINDS of Every JW ! It is NOT Biblical Just MAN MADE RULES worse than the Pharisees!!
So there it is folks, in a court of law. The Watchtower has no legal duty to protect children. Do you know that door knocking Jehovah’s witnesses are not legally protected either, (due to insurance) that you do not represent the Watchtower Society? Ho doubt that is why the book study was stopped at private homes.
What a selfish, narcissistic organization, speaks volumes to me.
@Charles Cosante. I like your insightful comments. You are right when you say ‘ the Elders are Brainwashed because they believe they have been Appointed by Holy Spirit’ … Exactly the Whole Hierarchy is ROTTEN from TOP to BOTTOM & so is their Thinking & Man Made Rules! The Elders are DELUDED!!
@my name is not sisteron. Your comment made me SMILE! If Jim McCabe(lawyer for JW) says ‘we Abhor Child Abuse’ one more time I sm going to Hurl!! It is a bit like a Drug Addict saying ‘ I Abhor Cannabis’ or an Alcoholic saying ‘ I Abhor Whiskey’ or a Samuel Herd saying I Abhor Materialism but wearing a $15,000 GOLD ROLEX Watch!! Or Judge Rutherford saying ‘Keep your Life SIMPLE ‘ & Living in a 10 Room Mansion, Beth SARIM & owning property on Staten Island& a Flat in BROOKLYN!!!
Funnily enough, on the JWTalk online forum, some witness DID have to point out that Candace was wearing a cross…like wearing a cross makes your point any less valid.
This whole confidentiality mentality is very upsetting… The elders have instructions to give talks to “mark” a “brazen” wrongdoer and warn the congregation about a host of issues but somehow they feel that pedophiles are above those measures. For example, if a baptized witness begins dating a non-witness (which includes anyone who isn’t baptized regardless of whether they attend the kingdom hall or not) and they don’t end the relationship at the elder’s request, they are “marked” in a talk that completely singles them out in every way minus giving their name. This has to be an image issue… I was an elder in two separate congregations with a total of 6 pedophiles and it made me sick that the congregation wasnt warned not even the families with children.
@MrFair. Great Name you have But your Comment is SPOT ON! We had a Married Elder who was Reproved on the Same Night as a Single Sister was Reproved in the same Announcement!! Didn’t take EINSTEIN to work it out! But they were no Danger to anyone but themselves So we all Knew IMMORALITY was the Issue! SO WHY the HELL can’t we know that there is a PEDOPHILE in our Congregation as ALL Youngsters need Protection!!!
Thanks. In my own case, I am currently inactive and have only expressed a few of my many concerns about the organization with two elders. I did this as respectfully and tactfully as possible. This information was immediately brought before the elder body and preemptive shunning has already set in. I was threatened by the elders, that if I were to talk openly with anyone about my feelings, they would take action to warn others about me and possibly judicial action. That pretty much sums up the JW culture for me – straining the gnat and gulping down the camel. “Spiritual protection” (it also could be called protection against thinking people) is stressed and physical protection of children is not their responsibility
Some folks still refer to that cult offhandedly as, the truth. Personally, I would prefer to see quotes around it, i.e. “the truth”. Just saying. I’m simply going to start referring to it as The Lie.
P.S.: FYI: During the good ol’ days of the KGB and the Soviet Empire, the Soviet state propaganda newspaper was called Pravda, meaning…Truth.
According to scripture, the master appointed his faithful slave over all his “belongings.” So that’s it – the so-called governing body views its flock as “belongings”, objects, things. No wonder they have no compassion and are jaded to the suffering of children.
@MrFair. That is exactly the problem as soon as you raise GENUINE & Respectful Questions You are Seen as Bad Association & are SHUNNED!! It has happened to me ! THIS is a SIGN of a CULT !!! If the early Apostles could intensely debate issues like Circumcision and not beShunned & EVEN then Paul vociferously argued against Circumcision then in the next chapter goes onto Circumcise Timothy!!! The BIG MISTAKE of the GB is to Disfellowship so many ;about 1% a year which is 80,000 . In 10 years that is nearly 1 million EX-JWs. With the Internet the GB has created a VAST APOSTATE ARMY which will do Research & Post it on the Internet to SHOW up the HYPOCRISY & INJUSTICE of the GB!! JESUS said ‘I WANT MERCY not SACRIFICE ‘ …Tony MORRIS& GANG Are You Listening to JEHOVAH & JESUS????
I would like to vent about a point from Richard Ashe’s statement. He said that the congregation provides spiritual protection and that physical protection is the secular authorities responsibility. That comment is disgusting on several different levels. If you look at it biblically (I’m no longer religious but will point this out for the sake of argument) at what point was their no responsibility placed upon the leadership for the physical well being of God’s people? The Christian scriptures especially highlight the need for spiritual care to be accompanied with physical protection and care- in other words, no “keep warm and well fed”. On another angle, these words are not a realistic representation of the JW culture. JWs are constantly told that they can trust each other with their lives. Personally, I’ve just shown up at Kingdom Halls in other countries, identified myself as a witness and seen a trusting relationship formed instantly. While JWs like to sing this fact praises, it should raise concerns. That witness who just shows up, who you don’t know anything about, could be a pedophile and you’re inviting them to your home to eat or even to stay overnight. The promoted culture (spiritual paradise) of “love” causes parents to completely lower their guard and entrust their children with just about anyone who is a JW. There is no reason, in a JWs mind, that they would even need physical protection from secular authorities within the congregation. This is why the victim’s claims are often viewed with suspicion while the perpetrator is given the benefit of the doubt. I would like to see that video of Richard Ashe making that comment posted on JWBroadcasting…
@Neal Krouni. I like your point about ‘the truth’ really being a Lie!! & Pravda meaning Truth which was the Communist Propaganda Newspaper!! A bit like Watchtower,JW.Org & TV.JW.Org.
Their TV channel is Nearly a Carbon Copy of the Mormon One but the Mormons thought of it First.it is Propaganda because all the News & Material isOne Sided ! There is NO HONESTY in Reporting the Literally Hundreds of Child Abuse Cases & Where the TENS of MILLIONS in DONATIONS are Compensating the Victims of Child Abuse.The GB openly HIGHLIGHT Every other Major Religions SINS ,But Not a TINY MENTION of Their COVER UPS & LIES!! ….HYPOCRITES !!!!
@MrFair . You have a Very Valid point.Any JW Pedophiles can turn up at any meeting throughout the World & be welcomed & trusted because they wear a suit & answer in the Watchtower . The Local Elders will not Know their History. The GB has a DATABASE in Brooklyn of at Least 23,000 Named Sex Offenders which should be Sent to Every Body of Elders in Every Congregation so EVERY Parent can be Warned for the Protection of their Children!!I DONT CARE a MONKEYS about the RIGHTS of PEDOPHILES! They LOST that RIGHT when They RUINED & DESTROYED the Victims LIFE for the Rest of their Life!! Make the B**TARDS SUFFER!!!
Did anybody read yesterdays daily text for Tuesday, Feb, 17 ?
1.) Elders and traveling overseers have the responsibility to protect the members of the congregation.
2.). The application is spiritual first and second is physical.
3.). The writing committee omitted “does not apply acts of crimes against human beings under the age of 16 years”
My prayers and heart goes out to all the victims, those that have been violated against there wish.
May Jehovah’s anger and blaze be victorious sooner than later! !
@Pickled brain
23,000 – That is staggering!!!
The idea of physical care and protection within the organization hinges on a major factor: can it be used to promote a positive image of the organization? Since protecting children from pedophiles in the congregation requires the admission that there are pedophiles in the congregation, it is not their responsibility and something that should be kept confidential. If they are not responsible for the physical protection and care of their members, why do they try to warn and evacuate members in potential disaster areas? Why do they organize disaster relief? Why do they cancel meetings when there is dangerous travel conditions? (of course these questions are in no way praising the organization since their efforts in these areas are definitely lacking) They are proud to do all of those things and blow their trumpet about it on the news and videos of jw.org because it promotes a squeaky clean image. I certainly hope the news media can peel back all of the layers and continue to expose the real image. Also, thank you to Cedars and all the other activist apostates for the work you do! Don’t ever think its ineffective on active JWs… This is a beautiful place to come when we start to wake up and the JW world turns against us.
Sorry I am suffering from verbal diarrhea today… I just want to respond to Pickled Brain about the pedophile database. If they changed their policy (they won’t) it would eliminate the need for the HQ database and a good part of the legal/ service departments. They could take this course of action: if there is an accusation in the congregation of abuse, explain to the family that what has happened is a crime and should be reported to the proper authorities immediately. If the family hesitates to go to the authorities the elders should contact them and report the crime. If the perpetrator confesses or if authorities confirm the crime has taken place, the elders should inform the congregation of the crime, any congregation disciplinary action taken and protective measures. The person if convicted would be placed on a public sex offender registry and therefore loses the right to confidentiality. When a person moves into a congregation, regardless of what the introduction letter says, the elders should research his name in the sex offender registry to confirm he has no prior history. Sex offenders are required to re-register whenever they relocate. If he does have a history, the congregation should be informed of what is already public knowledge. This is called paying the consequences for his actions and protecting children. There is absolutely nothing anti biblical with that policy, especially since the bible offers no policy on handling child abuse besides taking the perpetrator outside of the camp and pelting him with stones (would that be protected under the 1st amendment?). I feel that, very sadly, it is impossible to completely prevent this horrible crime from happening but professionals – law enforcement, doctors, therapists- should be involved from step one of the healing process.
@Pickled brain
Yeah. They’re flashing that JW.Org logo everywhere. It’s really getting on my nerves.
All JWs, and especially elders. ( Elders get extra indoctrination),
buy into the lie. That everything outside of the JW domain is
sub standard and contaminated by Satan.–Governments.
Other religions, The Law, Universities, Everybody else, etc. etc.
Conversely. Everything in JW, land is superlative, and arranged
by, JHVH God? “Why should we go to worldly courts, when we
have a Theocratic arrangement inside the congregation for dealing
with law breaking” That’s what a class of elders were told, on a
course I attended.
The example of dealing with the case of a brother, who had
fraudulently used public transport was discussed. A pity no
one thought to ask about cases of Rape, or Paedophillia.
Once the idea is implanted, that, you as an elder are an
administrator in a superior judicial system, one arranged by God
himself. Then it’s not difficult to see how you could be persuaded
to conceal evidence from the legally established law.
All JWs, and especially elders. ( Elders get extra indoctrination),
buy into the lie. That everything outside of the JW domain is
sub standard and contaminated by Satan.–Governments.
Other religions, The Law, Universities, Everybody else, etc. etc.
Conversely. Everything in JW, land is superlative, and arranged
by, JHVH God? “Why should we go to worldly courts, when we
have a Theocratic arrangement inside the congregation for dealing
with law breaking” That’s what a class of elders were told, on a
course I attended.
The example of dealing with the case of a brother, who had
fraudulently used public transport was discussed. A pity no
one thought to ask about cases of Rape, or Paedophillia.
Once the idea is implanted, that, you as an elder are an
administrator in a superior judicial system, one arranged by God
himself. Then it’s not difficult to see how you could be persuaded
to conceal evidence from the legally established law.
Sorry about the double entry, don’t know what
happened.
MrFair, your comments are really thought provoking. I couldn’t put my finger on why that comment about not being responsible for the physical protection of the sheep struck a cord with me too but I couldn’t find the right words. You put it so well.
If they aren’t responsible for the physical protection of the flock then they should be stripped of their charitable status!!!
A thing that really concerns me is the internet and how pedophiles use it to exchange information. I worry that with all the newspaper coverage about the two witness rule, actualy hiding these crimes, that this information could be being passed around in these rings. It’s like an open invite.
I just finished watching the Huffington post interview with Trey Bundy. Wow! what a great interview. This should really start to gain some momentum.
@MrFair .Liked your comment on there is no Biblical direction on Child Abuse except Maybe STONING the Perpetrators to DEATH!! .. Hmmmm ! NOW That’s a GOOD IDEA!! No Chance of REPEATED OFFENCES !! I Think I Prefer the Mosaic Law rather than The LAW of the Governing Body which is just to PROTECT their VAST PROPERTY EMPIRE & keep the GB in a Lap of LUXURY!! .. & Please don’t anyone say they ONLY Get a Small Allowance!!!They LIVE LIKE LORDS!! They PAY NO TAX; the GB have FREE Cleaners,Chefs,Maintenance Workers,Car Mechanics,Accountants,Lawyers,Financial Advisors,Clothes,Aircraft Travel,Car Hire,Chauffeur,Pensions,Healthcare,Doctors,Nurses,Opticians,Dental Care,..ALL THIS is FREE Paid by Every JW who Works Hard & we Pay Tax & DONATE to These SCROUNGERS & Their RELIGIOUS PYRAMID Scheme..(Who Mentioned GIZA) The GOVERNING BODY Have a JOB for LIFE as LONG as Every GULLIBLE JW keeps DONATING!!
Excellent footage of the deposition and oral arguments in the appeals case. I can’t wait to hear the appeals court’s decision! I firmly believe that it will be the right one.
Thank you very much, Cedars, for all of the information.
@Neal Krouni.Your right about them IDOL WORSHIP of the JW.Org logo! Personally I think their membership would increase 10 Fold if they changed it to JW.Org…Asm ??
In the JW organization, we have men who have grown up together and been best friends all their lives. These men will stick together against a child who comes forward with an accusation of abuse unless the child is one of their children.
If a child is abused or assaulted by one of the beloved elders in a congregation, I think the child will keep it to herself or himself and from then on, try and stay away from the perpetrator, if at all possible and family and friends won’t know the reason why, because to tell anybody what happened, will destroy the life of the abuser and that child knows it, if their story is believed.
That child will not want to go to meetings or service. More than likely, that child will grow up and never tell anybody what happened to them when they were young simply because this person was loved in the congregation and more than likely a good friend of the parents and buddies with the other elders or ministerial servants in the congregation.
It is such a shame because of not reporting what the person did to them, makes it possible for the abuser to abuse others but of course, since the child didn’t say anything about it, more than likely, this person has abused others too. But in the JW organization with it’s policy of keeping it all confidential, this child has no idea that the guy is a serial molester and she has been victimized by a serial molester.
Since Jehovah’s Witnesses can’t really have any friends that aren’t other Witnesses, that means that congregations are going to be really close to each other. All of that works against a child who was abused by one of these men.
Can you imagine being a victim of abuse and going to the police and reporting the abuse to the police, and all the people at the police station are relatives of the person who abused you. Do you think you would receive justice? That is exactly what it is like for an abuse victim when they go to the elders to report abuse.
There would be no place for a system like that in a religion if it was really was an organization that was approved by a just and loving creator and God. Only a very sick Satanic religion would treat it’s children like that. That is called child sacrifice
It reminds me of rings of disgusting old men who pass children around to each other so they can use and abuse children as they please. People like that need to be thrown in jail, not let off with the excuse of 1st amendment right to protect pedophiles.
The seven men who appear to operate bethel have a hard time accepting there own counsel.
These seven men who appear to operate bethel have approved this weeks lesson. Talk #3, from the TMS, talks about Apollos, he had zeal and humility, and accepted an readjustment about Jesus.
The child protection policy is still fairly new, 35 years young.
Who ever established this policy was in a hurry and patterned after the largest faith denomination.
35 years ago, half of the seven men were still in school or at Ho Chi ming.
It seems the seven men from bethel look foggy and don’t understand why the wind blows from the pond!
I applaud you for the way this was presented – fair and honest. When a mind controlling group exists, it should be exposed. I was a 3rd generation – my book tells my experiences which can be read on our web site. Please continue the good work!
She should have worn a “red herring” necklace.
I think I’ll market those. Sell them alongside other jw.org paraphernalia.
@Anonymous. Your last analysis the way the organisation treats Child Abuse is Like CHILD SACRIFICE is so Sad & the parallel you draw with the family of police is so true & it is must be so Terrifying for the Victims & the BRAVERY they need to come forward is astounding. For the GB to Quote Clergy Privilege & to Wriggle & Squirm & avoid producing Evidence & Elders Letters to the court is SHAMEFUL. To call the Child Abuse VICTIMS ‘Proud & Litigious ‘ is Disgusting !!! The GB Never in its History EVER ADMIT to ERROR!! They Call it NEW LIGHT!!! Not in a Million Years could Jehovah be backing this Organisation!!
My first post I was baptized at 13 and basically a born in.
while I came from a dysfunctional situation, we made the
Best of it and I always leaned on Jehovah to get me through tough times. I know how marking works, as we
We’re disinvited to a after memorial get together once
Because our CO did not approve of us. We’ll the host of
That gathering is now divorced and living as a gay, and
His wife made it clear to everyone that our CO had cheated him out of commissions selling insurance. when
I was df d it was because I did do wrong. but…. The big
But is that no one can read hearts including elders and I
Do not capitalize that word because I do not worship men.
I was the sis in the hall who always had a house full of
Kids because I knew they had limited facility for friendship
And in our upper class hall, I knew the pain they were in
Because I went through it as a kid myself. my heart bleeds for the youngsters who have been harmed by people they trust.
I have 3 kids, all educated so they really woke me up.