While Jehovah's Witnesses as a whole abhor paedophilia and the Watchtower denounces child abuse, faulty and self-serving
policies have contributed to paedophilia occurring in the organisation that could have been prevented. The result has
been harm to thousands of child victims and distraught parents,
and the Watchtower Society paying millions of dollars in settlements.
The Watchtower Society has come in for tremendous criticism
globally for its stance on
paedophilia and been the subject of a multitude of media reports.
silentlambs.com lists numerous examples that highlight the extent of child abuse amongst
Jehovah's Witnesses. This extends to prominent elders at Bethel, such as Jesus Cano, who handed out naked pictures of himself to young males at
airports whilst travelling on District Convention speaking assignments, and was arrested
in June 2006.
The situation amongst Jehovah's Witnesses regarding paedophiles
is reminiscent of the Catholic Church. The New York Times has however noted a difference
between pedophilia amongst Jehovah's Witnesses and Catholic's. In the Catholic Church:

"most of the people accused of abuse are priests and a vast
majority of the victims were boys and young men. In the Jehovah's
Witnesses some of those accused are elders, but most are congregation members. The victims who have stepped
forward are mostly girls and young women, and many accusations involve incest."
August 11, 2002

There have been several reasons that paedophiles have been able to find sanctuary amongst
Jehovah's Witnesses and that the Watchtower Society is now being
held accountable for the actions of its members. Most damaging,and described in detail below,
were the following:

1.The two witness rule to establish Scriptural crimes

2.The three year rule for sins of elders
Other concepts also at play have been:

1.Worldly wisdom cannot be trusted

2.Reproach must not be bought on Jehovah's Organization -

3.Witnesses are expected to solve problems within
Everyone must engage in
preaching

TBC

THE TWO WITNESS RULE

Of most damage is the "Two Witness" Rule. Until the late 1990s, egregious Watchtower policy dictated that two
witnesses must be present at the same sexual encounter, for the
perpetrator to be considered to have committed a Scriptural
offence. In the case of child molestation, there are almost never two witnesses. This meant
that even when several children made an accusation against the
same brother, the elders were to do nothing. Without two witnesses, the only time action
could be taken was when the accused confessed. Elders were aware of serial child abusers, yet
no action was taken either within the congregation, or by
contacting the police. It is
incomprehensible that the Governing Body could sanction such a policy.
The Watchtower 1995 Nov 1 pp.28-9 gave the following advice regarding accusations of
child abuse.

"What Can Elders Do?
If the elders are approached by a member of the congregation who is experiencing flashbacks
or repressed memories of child abuse, two of them are usually assigned to help. These elders should kindly encourage the
afflicted one to focus for the time being on coping with the emotional distress. The names of
any remembered abusers should be kept in strict confidence. The elders primary task is to act
as shepherds. (Isaiah 32:1,2; 1Peter 5:2,3) They should be especially careful to clothe
[themselves] with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind,
mildness, and long-suffering.(Colossians 3:12) Let them listen in a kindly way and then apply
healing words from the
Scriptures. (Proverbs 12:18)
Some who are afflicted with painful memories have expressed appreciation for
elders who make regular visits or even telephone calls to check to see how they are doing. Such
contacts need not take a lot of time, but they show that Jehovahs organization cares. When the afflicted one realizes
that his Christian brothers truly love him, he may be helped to recover a considerable degree of
emotional balance. What if the sufferer decides that
he wants to make an accusation?
Then the two elders can advise him that, in line with the principle at Matthew 18:15, he
should personally approach the
accused about the matter. If the accuser is not emotionally able to
do this face-to-face, it can be done by telephone or perhaps by writing a letter. In this way the
one accused is given the
opportunity to go on record before Jehovah with his answer
to the accusation. He may even be able to present evidence that he could not have committed the
abuse. Or perhaps the one
accused will confess, and a reconciliation may be achieved. What a blessing that would be! If there is a confession, the two
elders can handle matters further in accordance with Scriptural principles.
If the accusation is denied, the elders should explain to the accuser that nothing more can
be done in a judicial way . And the congregation will continue to view the one accused as an innocent person. The Bible says
that there must be two or three witnesses before judicial action can be taken. (2 Corinthians 13:1;
1 Timothy 5:19) Even if more than one person remembers abuse by the same individual, the
nature of these recalls is just too uncertain to base judicial decisions on them without other supporting evidence. This does not mean that such memories
are viewed as false (or that they are viewed as true). But Bible
principles must be followed in establishing a matter judicially.
What if the one accused though denying the wrong doing is really guilty? Does he get away
with it, as it were? Certainly not!
The question of his guilt or innocence can be safely left in Jehovahs hands. The sins of some men are publicly manifest, leading directly to judgment, but
as for other men their sins also become manifest later. (1Timothy 5:24; Romans 12:19; 14:12) The book of Proverbs says: The expectation of the righteous ones is a rejoicing, but the very
hope of the wicked ones will perish. When a wicked man dies,
his hope perishes. (Proverbs 10:28; 11:7) Ultimately, Jehovah
God and Christ Jesus render everlasting judgment in justice. 1
Corinthians 4:5."
It was only after ongoing
negative publicity since the 1990's that this was changed to allow "two-witnesses" to include
a single witness from two
separate occasions.

"In recent weeks, the press in this country has focused attention on the way accusations of child abuse are handled by
various religious organizations.
Such reports may cause some sincere individuals to ask about the procedures followed by
Jehovah's Witnesses.
We expect the elders to
investigate every allegation of child abuse. Even one abused child is one too many. However,
in evaluating the evidence, they must bear in mind the Bible's clear direction:
"No single witness should rise up against a
man respecting any error or any sin. At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand
good." (Deuteronomy 19:15) Later, this requirement to consider testimony of two or
three witnesses was confirmed by Jesus. (Matthew 18:16) Thus,
although they investigate every allegation, the elders are not authorized by the Scriptures to
take congregational action unless there is a confession or there are two credible witnesses.
However, if two persons are witnesses to separate incidents of the same kind of wrongdoing,
their testimony can be deemed sufficient to take action.-" I Timothy 5:19,24,25." - TO ALL
CONGREGATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES Letter to Elders May 24, 2002

In the case of child abuse, this still has not gone far enough, and for the sake of children in the congregation, precautions
should be taken as soon as there is an accusation from "one witness".
The Watchtower tries to shift responsibility for its policy to God and the Bible.

"The Bible says that there must be two or three witnesses before
judicial action can be taken. (2Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy5:19)" Watchtower 1995 Nov 1
pp.28-9

The Watchtower's legalistic insistence of the two witness rule for child abuse is a misapplication of Bible guidance.
Small victimised children cannot usually bring the allegation themselves and need extra protection. To insist on a strict two witness policy in situations involving defenceless children is
an unrealistic Pharisaical policy. Jesus denounced fanatical adherence to the law at the sacrifice of higher principles of
love and mercy. He graphically demonstrated law does not override humanity by healing a
man's withered hand on the Sabbath. Applying the two-witness rule to pedophile accusations is a case of fanatical
adherence to the letter of the law, so denounced by Jesus. Whilst the two witness rule is a sensible guideline in preventing
the miscarriage of justice, it is open to abuse, and hence needs to be used within reason. For
instance, a guilty person can deny an accusation from a single witness and avoid punishment.
Alternatively, two people can collude to claim an innocent person is guilty and have them unjustly punished. In the case of
child abuse, an area in which elders are painfully unqualified to act as judge, trained authorities
and experts should always be involved.

It is universally accepted that protection of children is of paramount importance. The
United Nations Declaration of the
Rights of the Child, adopted 1959, recognises the basic fact that children require special
protection, a point glaringly overlooked by the Governing Body when establishing its rules
on child abuse.

2. The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop physically,
mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal
manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount
consideration.

8. The child shall in all
circumstances be among the first to receive protection and relief.

The guidelines in the 2010 Elders Manual continue to fall
disappointingly short in
providing children with special protection, stating:

"Even though a Christian has been accused of wrongdoing serious enough to require
judicial action, a judicial
committee should not be formed unless the wrongdoing has been
established. What kind of
evidence is acceptable? ...
There must be two or three eyewitnesses, not just people repeating hearsay; no action can
taken if there only one witness.
Deut 19:15; John 8:17.
If there are two or three
witnesses to the same kind of wrongdoing but each one is witness to a separate incident , the elders can consider their
testimony. While such evidence is acceptable to establish guilt, is
preferable to have two witnesses to the same occurrence of wrongdoing.
If the accused denies the
accusation , the investigating elders should try to arrange a
meeting with him and the accuser together. (Note: If the accusation involves child sexual
abuse and the victim is currently a minor, the elders should contact the branch office before
arranging a meeting with the child and the alleged abuser .) If the accuser or the accused is unwilling to meet with the elders
or if the accused continues to deny the accusation of a single
witness and the wrongdoing is not established, the elders will leave matters in Jehovah's hands.
(Deut.19:15-17; 1 Tim 5:19, 24, 25; w95 11/1 pp. 28-29)

The investigating elders should compose a record, sign it, put it in a sealed envelope, and place it
in the congregations confidential file. Additional evidence may later come to light to establish matters." Shepherd the Flock of
God pp.71,72

It is disappointing that a
procedure manual released as late as 2010 would still indicate
arranging a meeting between the child and the abuser, or to
dismiss non-action as leaving "matters in Jehovah's hands."

THE THREE YEAR RULE

Even more critical in legal actions taken against the Watchtower Society has been the Three Year
rule. This allowed for known paedophiles to continue serving
as elders, provided any known offences were committed at least
three years prior to confession.
The 1972 book Organization for
Kingdom-Preaching and Disciple-Making stated:
"If a person was serving as an elder or a ministerial servant
when he committed a serious wrong, even though it was some
years ago, he bears a degree of reprehensibility, for he continued to serve in that position though knowing that he had, for the
time at least, disqualified himself,not being then free from accusation. (1 Tim. 3:2, 10; Titus1:6,7) He should have informed
the judicial committee that he did not adhere to the requirements and should have stepped down from his position. In view of his failure to do this at that time, he
would now be removed from that position."
The term some years ago was clarified shortly afterwards in the
Kingdom Ministry 1972 p.8 as a time period of three years:

"What was meant by some years ago on page 170, paragraph
two, in the Organization book? This indicates more than a year or two. It may be noted that it did not say many years ago. So it
is not the exact number of years, but more like two or three years.
It was not intended to have a brother go back into the distant
past to bring up wrongs of which he repented years ago and that have evidently been forgiven by Jehovah and are not
practiced now."

This position was re-confirmed at the 1991 two-day Kingdom
Ministry Schools. It was not until the 2005 Kingdom Ministry
Schools that it was clearly stated that hidden acts of porneia (sexual sins) were to require a judicial committee.
I personally benefited from this very rule. Whilst in Bethel in 2004 I confessed to a Bethel elder to a homosexual sin committed in 2003. As both myself and the other party were both still in full-time service three years later, the elder determined that Jehovah had forgiven the indiscretion and no further action was taken.

WORLDLY WISDOM

At the heart of the issue has also been the attitude of the Watchtower towards the wisdom of the world.

"So God has nothing in common with this world. (John 18:36; 1John 2:15-17) That is why the
Bible speaks of two kinds of wisdom, the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world."
Watchtower 1992 Sep 15 p.19

Witnesses with problems are encouraged to go to the elders and discouraged from going to worldly experts for fear of being influenced by the advice of worldly experts that may disagree with Watchtower
principles. Victims have regularly been advised against contacting
police or specialists trained in child abuse. Needless to say, elders have no training in issues
such as marriage, addictions and child abuse beyond limited
information provided by the Watchtower Society. Watchtower policy lags painfully behind child
abuse professionals.
An indication of how painfully lacking the training of elders is in
the case of child abuse, the environment for children to discuss their abuse is generally in
a small kingdom hall room in front of three male elders. Quite
often the child has been
expected to face the accused. Even more inappropriately, the
official 1993 telememo form used by elders asked the question
"How many elders felt
that the victim was somewhat at fault or willingly participated in
the acts?"

REPROACH TO THE ORGANIZATIONS NAME

Fear of bringing reproach on Jehovah's name has been used to dissuade use of legal and
court systems.

"Loyalty to Jehovah God will also keep us from doing anything that would bring reproach upon his name and Kingdom. For example, two Christians once got
into such difficulty with each other that they improperly resorted to a worldly law court.
Certainly, the course of loyalty to Jehovah God is to suffer personal
loss rather than bring reproach upon Jehovah and his organization." Watchtower 1996
Mar 15 p.15

The issue here is not the name of Jehovah, but the reputation of the Watchtower Organization.
People do not blame God when a Witness molests a child. If blame is attributed to anyone other than the perpetrator, it is
directed towards the rules and regulations of the Watchtower Society.
When a serial offender was found to have been a child molester, elders kept information
discussed in judicial committees confidential under ecclesiastical
privilege. This included not reporting such matters to the
police. Witnesses have regularly been discouraged from going to the police for fear of bringing reproach on Jehovahs name. In
legal cases Watchtower lawyers have made the claim that the Bible says elders must keep
information they know in
regards to crime confidential.
This mimics the Catholic ideas on confessionals.

"Elders in the Christian
congregation are responsible to handle violations of divine law,
such as stealing, murder, and immorality. But God did not require congregation elders to
enforce Caesars laws and codes. Hence, Paul did not feel compelled to turn over to Roman authorities Onesimus, who was a
fugitive under Roman law.(Philemon 10, 15) Of course, if someone flagrantly violates
secular law, gaining the
reputation of being a
lawbreaker, he would not be a good example and might even be disfellowshipped."
Watchtower
1986 Oct 1 p.31

Parents who have witnessed or strongly suspected child abuse
against their child have been warned by elders not to talk any
other parents in the
congregation, with a threat of disfellowshipping for slander if they do. This has been an important factor that has
contributed to a child abuser being able to go on and commit more crimes against other
children.
In 1986, Congress passed the Child Abuse Victims' Rights Act.
This allowed children a civil claim in sexual abuse cases, and led to
increasing cases against the Catholic Church. In apparent response, a Confidential Letter
was sent to Elders in 1989, stating elders contact, not the
police, but the Societies legal department regarding any accusations of child abuse. The
Elders letter went into detail about keeping information confidential, including the contents of the letter. The 2012
court case involving Candace Conti found the instructions of this letter led to child abuse cases
being kept hidden.

.

A 1989 elder's form for child abuse cases stated that if the congregation is in a location where it is compulsory to make a
report to the authorities, they should make an anonymous call
from a phone booth. This is highly ineffective, since police are generally unable to follow up on
anonymous tips. Following is a copy of the form taken from
court exhibits. This was restated in the 1993 version of the form.

Whats happening? Been trying to upload documents but its not going.

In 2002, it was finally accepted that police could be contacted directly. A Letter To All Bodies of
Elders in the United States, February 15, 2002 stated that elders were not to prevent Witnesses reporting child abuse
to the police, which has been added to the 2010 Elders manual.

"Child abuse is a crime. Never suggest to anyone that they should not report an allegation
of child abuse to the police or other authorities. If you are
asked, make it clear that whether to report the matter to the authorities or not is a personal
decision for each individual to make and that there are no
congregation sanctions for either decision. Elders will not criticize anyone who reports such an allegation to the
authorities. If the victim wishes to make a report, it is his or her absolute right to do so. - Gal.
6:5." Shepherd the Flock of God pp.131,132.

However, the congregation itself is not protected, since it will not
be made aware of pedophiles within the congregation by the
elders. Even when a person is disfellowshipped for child abuse, the only announcements will be

"[Name of person] is no longer one ofJehovah's Witnesses" and possibly later, "[Name of person]
is reinstated as one of Jehovah's Witnesses."

Change in Policy

It was not until the late 1990s, as a result of bad media publicity globally, that Watchtower policy
changes on child abuse finally started to come into effect.
Two children making a similar accusation in a short period of time can now be regarded as
two witnesses, as can
collaborative evidence such as photos.
In the Watchtower 1997 Jan 1, it became policy that scripturally
convicted child molesters were never to hold the position of elders. Yet even if convicted in
court, such conviction is not considered valid unless the elders can find the person guilty
under scriptural principles. As
such, a convicted paedophile may
at times continue to have
privileges such as being an elder.
Elders are now to go to the secular authorities in States where they are legally required to. However, in most cases Bethel recommends against going to
the authorities where there is no legal obligation. Prior to
contacting the police, elders are expected to seek advice from the
Watchtower legal department.
The following proviso is stated in an October 10 2002 Confidential
Body of Elders Letter sent to all elders in Australia;

"If, after contacting the Society, it is determined that the elders should report a matter such as
child abuse to the authorities, it would not be considered to be a
breach of confidentiality to make such a report. Elders should always contact the Society before
providing any information on confidential matters to secular authorities."

In 1997 it was introduced that child molesters were not to serve as elders or other roles of responsibility such as Ministerial Servants and Pioneers.

"For the protection of our
children, a man known to have been a child molester does not
qualify for a responsible position in the congregation. Moreover,
he cannot be a pioneer or serve in any other special, full-time service." Watchtower 1997 Jan 1
p.29.

However, the 2010 Elders manual does indicate that it is possible for a child abuser to serve as an
Elder or Ministerial Servant after "many years" have passed.
"Moreover, the nature of the sin may reflect greatly on his qualifications to serve. For example, the sin may involve past
child abuse, and this would likely disqualify him for many years.-
w97 1/1 pp. 26-29; w77 pp. 697-698.

If the wrongdoing occurred within the past few years while he was serving as an elder or a
ministerial servant, he is
disqualified from serving as such,not being "free from accusation."" Shepherd the Flock
of God pp.38,39

In 1997, it was explained that the policy for when a child molester moves to a new congregation is for the elders to be made aware of the person's
past. Disturbingly, it is only the elders that are to be told, not the members of the congregation.
The pedophile is also referred to as a "former child molester",
showing the Watchtower's
ignorance regarding the
ongoing nature of a pedophile's desires and minimising their
actions.