Jehovah’s Witnesses: Protect Your Children From Pedophiles - Religion - Nairaland
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| Jehovah’s Witnesses: Protect Your Children From Pedophiles by ChristianFreedo(m): 5:35pm On May 19, 2017 |
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN FROM PEDOPHILES www.nairaland.com/attachments/5407520_bqnb4r3_jpeg77d2563978452a6f1eecd05082af4d8f To my JWs friends out there, If you are still doubting the so-called ‘apostate driven lies’ or stories that the policies of watchtower harbors and gives pedophiles (child sexual abusers) free reins within the congregation to continue to abuse new and old victims. If you are still doubting and calls it an ‘apostate driven lie’ that watchtower has over the years paid out millions of dollars in compensation to sexual abused victim, after losing series of court cases. If you are still doubting and probably call it an ‘apostate lies’ that pedophiles exist within the congregations around the world, which members of the congregations are not aware of, which the elders know of but are not directed by the organization to let members of the congregation know of or be wary of the threat posed by pedophiles to their children playing and smiling innocently with them. And that by a large extent, fails to protect JWs children and children in the neighborhood at large. Well, here is your proof!!!  This year, in the Regional Convention of Jehovah’s Witness “Don’t Give up”, on Saturday, between the hours of 11:00 am and 11:45 am, there is a symposium entitled “Build a House That Will Endure: Safeguard Your Children From “What Is Evil””. Here is the link to the outline. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwqmWMK7dwtleHNOR2ZiU3lEWHM/view If you must be honest with yourself, in all your years of association with the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses, there has never been a talk directed directly on the issue of child sexual abuse. So, for any JW out that still sits on the fence, that believes that the seriousness of issue of pedophiles within their congregation, made possible by watchtower’s policies is just another of the ‘apostate lies’, you should think just again, because, if you are not careful, your child may just be the next victim. FACT: Were it not for the pressure of those the organization calls ‘apostate’, taking watchtower to court, ensuring that watchtower’s flawed policy confidential files are leaked and are tendered in courts, encouraging abuse victims that never got justice to come out and tell their stories, shouting on top of their voices, etc., these issues would never have had this wide publicity. At least, you have one thing to be grateful for. THE TALK: Safeguard Your Children From “What Is Evil ANY PROBLEM? Examining the content of the talk, on the surface, it appears nothing is wrong, it will appear all fine and good. And if we were to examine watchtower publications over the years, we will still find these set of advices. Basically, these advices have been there the whole time. So, what is the problem? Let me present some extract from the talk. www.nairaland.com/attachments/5338747_safeguardyourchildren_jpeg806b1cbe2e2383dddf0882c5ef741cc7 *****Jehovah’s witnesses abhor child sexual abuse To begin, what the need of telling the whole audience “Jehovah’s witnesses abhor child sexual abuse”? Unless there are some guilt feelings associated with the declaration. To the best of my knowledge, there is not right thinking person that should not abhor child sexual abuse, let alone religious organization. Watchtower simply doesn’t get it!!! The point is not whether you abhor child sexual abuse or not, the point is what does your policies do to ensure children are protected? Child sexual abuse is a crime of the highest kind, and when abuse is brought to your attention, do you report to the police or to those properly trained to handle such cases? What policies do you have in place that shows you abhor it? Recently, in the case of Fessler vs Watchtower, your lawyers had repeated failed in their attempt to exonerate watchtower elders from the burden of reporting child sexual abuse case to the authorities, when such are brought to their knowledge, by claiming their elders are not clergy. Yet, this is just one of your policies that ensure pedophiles have free rein in the congregation, abusing old and new victims. Interestingly, you instruct elders in the secret manual, (bolded mine) “You should immediately call the branch office for direction if you learn of an accusation of child abuse…the branch office will then give direction based on the circumstances involved in each situation. 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 or not is a personal decision for each individual to make and there are no congregational sanctions for either decision.”-Shepherd the of God, page 130, par 18, 19  Elders’ secret manual However, when it came to issue of break-ins into the kingdom hall, elders are to call the police promptly. In a letter dated November 1, 2016, to All Body of Elders, paragraph 38, states clear, “Break-ins, thefts, incidents of arson, or other acts of vandalism should be promptly reported to the local authorities. The Local Design/Construction Department (LDC) can be contacted for direction”. (bolded mine) www.nairaland.com/attachments/5338757_nov11leter_png44a43da495f77a966306c94583d1feb8 What an Irony!!! NO immediate call to the branch, but first to the local authorities. However, a crime as heinous as child sexual abused has to be decided by the branch. A crime that will forever hurt the child, hunts his/her memory and probably for the rest of his/her life and lower his/her self-esteem. |
| Re: Jehovah’s Witnesses: Protect Your Children From Pedophiles by ChristianFreedo(m): 5:35pm On May 19, 2017 |
As has been demonstrated in many cases in court, the branch office needs the call so their lawyers can seek for loopholes within the law of the country to exploit and avoid mandatory reporting to the police. All for what? To protect the image of the organization? So that other religious organization that have been coming under significant attack from you will not know you also have the same problem you criticize them for, but only good at hiding it? (See for example The Watchtower 1994, August 15, p. 11 par 3, 4; Awake! 1990 November 8 p.31, The End of False Religion is Near! p.2 2006) A typical example of such abuse going on for decades can be seen in the case of Michael Porter, who serve at the Mill Hill Bethel Branch, prosecuted for molesting multiple children including an infant. Or the case of another elder, name George Cockerill, who was charged with over fifty sexual offenses against children over a forty-year period. Since 2002, 38 Senior UK Jehovah’s Witnesses have been jailed for being pedophiles and child abusers. (Please see for details: http://www.silentlambs.com/JWORG-IBSAScandal.htm ) After coming through so much heat in the UK, with their charity status under risk (basically meaning they can start paying tax if they lose their charity position), in March 2016, watchtower updated their child safeguarding policies in the UK alone. What really change? Nothing. Point 13 of the policy letter stated: (bolded mine) “If any congregation elder learns of a case of child abuse in which a child may still be at risk of significant harm two elders must contact the legal department at the branch office for legal advice on compliance. A report to the police or other appropriate authorities will be made immediately by the congregation elders if it is determined that a child is still at risk.”  The first step is to contact the branch. Then, if the child is still a risk of further abuse, the police can be contacted. But the question is, who determines if the child is still at risk? What criteria do they use? Additionally, why does this provision appears only in the UK specific document? For Christ sake, Child Sexual abuse is a serious crime-a form of rape, it should never be treated with Kids gloves or hidden from authorities. This is the point the watchtower organization simply does not want to get. Police handles crime, elders deal with sin!!! For this information to decide to contact the police appearing in the UK document only, and not to other countries around the world where you operate simply means that you consider your image more important than doing what is right. **** Parents need to take all reasonable steps to protect their children from potential dangers [Read Proverbs 22:3] In the majority of cases of child sexual abuse, the perpetrator was someone the child knew and trusted While true that parent have the responsibility to protect their children, and also true that majority of abusers are people known by children, however, as is often the case, what happens when the abuser is the mother or father? Who protects the child? Why not simply tell the audience that the abusers can be someone sitting next to them? Members of the congregation? Their respected elders or ministerial servant or pioneer? How can parent know how to adequately protect their children from pedophiles if they are not aware of who they may be dealing with? Why simply obscure it by saying “the perpetrator was someone the child knew and trusted”, when in truth, the perpetrator has been abusing old and new victim and will simply continue. How much can such information assist in protecting other members of the congregation and the society at large, when in truth, the congregation never know that they are perpetrators within them, most times ‘trusted’ men and women, and elders are not instructed to let members of the congregation know. |
| Re: Jehovah’s Witnesses: Protect Your Children From Pedophiles by ChristianFreedo(m): 5:36pm On May 19, 2017 |
SHIFTING OF BLAME While the recommended safeguards listed from 1 to 5 are good measures, the problem is that the pedophiles we are dealing with congregation members not those whom you called ‘worldly’. JWs I know of, are often careful of their child playing around those called ‘worldly’. The real problem is what the organization falls to tell audience. While true that majority of cases of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone the child knows, but the problem is, as often discover are elders, ministerial servant, pioneers, people the child trust, brothers and sisters with ‘good standing’ within the congregation. So, why not pointedly tell the audience that these abusers can be their brothers? You make the talk sound like these abusers are not within the congregation, that the abusers are those whom you call worldly people. This similar method of shifting blame was employed when showing the video, “Jehovah has done so much for me”, played in the Christian Life and Ministry Meetings of September 12 – 18, 2016. (See the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euZKrYV_vP0 ) The video is carefully designed to speak indirectly to abuse victims, suffering from memories of child sexual abuse, recommending field service, bible reading, keeping busy in watchtower assigned works. Not that the activities are bad in themselves, but the way the video is presented, shifting blame, painting an untrue picture of the abuse happening elsewhere and the abused victim is helped when she became a JW (a girl abused as a child from a family friend when she was a member of another church and how she was assisted when Jehovah’s Witnesses knocked on her door). Whereas, in reality, the boys and girls are abused by fellow JWs, inside the organization, people they trust and look up to. And these was when the organization was still in court trying to depend their child sexual abuse policies, telling the court that they could not report to the authorities since they are not clergy. This really is a classic example of shifting blames, employed in this outline. Sometimes, I wonder if these men running the organization really do have a human heart of kindness, justice and love or is simply another case of men who have lost all sense of lives’ reality, becoming power drunk like J. F. Rutherford and doing all within their power to portray a ‘good image’ to the detriment of children and vulnerable ones. |
| Re: Jehovah’s Witnesses: Protect Your Children From Pedophiles by ChristianFreedo(m): 5:36pm On May 19, 2017 |
SHIFTING OF BLAME While the recommended safeguards listed from 1 to 5 are good measures, the problem is that the pedophiles we are dealing with congregation members not those whom you called ‘worldly’. JWs I know of, are often careful of their child playing around those called ‘worldly’. The real problem is what the organization falls to tell audience. While true that majority of cases of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone the child knows, but the problem is, as often discover are elders, ministerial servant, pioneers, people the child trust, brothers and sisters with ‘good standing’ within the congregation. So, why not pointedly tell the audience that these abusers can be their brothers? You make the talk sound like these abusers are not within the congregation, that the abusers are those whom you call worldly people. This similar method of shifting blame was employed when showing the video, “Jehovah has done so much for me”, played in the Christian Life and Ministry Meetings of September 12 – 18, 2016. (See the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euZKrYV_vP0 ) The video is carefully designed to speak indirectly to abuse victims, suffering from memories of child sexual abuse, recommending field service, bible reading, keeping busy in watchtower assigned works. Not that the activities are bad in themselves, but the way the video is presented, shifting blame, painting an untrue picture of the abuse happening elsewhere and the abused victim is helped when she became a JW (a girl abused as a child from a family friend when she was a member of another church and how she was assisted when Jehovah’s Witnesses knocked on her door). Whereas, in reality, the boys and girls are abused by fellow JWs, inside the organization, people they trust and look up to. And these was when the organization was still in court trying to depend their child sexual abuse policies, telling the court that they could not report to the authorities since they are not clergy. This really is a classic example of shifting blames, employed in this outline. Sometimes, I wonder if these men running the organization really do have a human heart of kindness, justice and love or is simply another case of men who have lost all sense of lives’ reality, becoming power drunk like J. F. Rutherford and doing all within their power to portray a ‘good image’ to the detriment of children and vulnerable ones. |
| Re: Jehovah’s Witnesses: Protect Your Children From Pedophiles by ChristianFreedo(m): 5:40pm On May 19, 2017 |
GLARRING OMISSION: A STANDARD PRACTICE This talk outline is not just reprehensible for what it contains. It is also reprehensible for what it does not contain. • Nowhere in this talk are parents instructed to contact the police should their child make an accusation of abuse. Of course, they would not, neither will elders ever suggest to them, unless for parent that have been keeping themselves updated with recent event. • Nowhere in this talk is it acknowledge that abusers can be parent, fathers, step fathers, members of the congregation with “good standing” or that the abuse sometimes happen during preaching or bible study and after meetings. • Nowhere in this talk are elders instructed to contact the police and co-operate fully with the legal investigation should they be informed of an accusation of abuse. • Nowhere in this talk is the audience informed of Watchtower’s actual policies in handling accusations of child sexual abuse. • Nowhere in this talk are children assured that elders will assist them and report to the police on their behalf if they secretly confide to those elders that they are being abused. • Nowhere in this talk is an admission that elders require two eyewitnesses to an incident of child abuse to take any congregational action, which of course never occurs and in most cases, the victim is accused of being complicit and punished. • Nowhere in this talk is an admission that elders may be aware of sexual predators in the congregation, but may not be allowed to warn the congregants unless the Branch specifically approves this step, which never happens. • Nowhere in this talk is an admission of the significant and systematic failings found in Watchtower’s policy during the Australian Royal Commission Case Study 29 and 54. • Nowhere in this talk is professional physiological help or counselling promoted as an effective recourse for abuse survivors. • Nowhere in this talk is an apology to any of the thousands of previous abuse survivors who have been let down by these failings. • Nowhere in this talk are JW abuse survivors informed of any compensation scheme available to them if they feel Watchtower has been negligent in handling their accusations of abuse. |
| Re: Jehovah’s Witnesses: Protect Your Children From Pedophiles by ChristianFreedo(m): 5:40pm On May 19, 2017 |
THE GOVERNING BODY CONTINUES TO BE TOO PROUD TO ADMIT THEIR FAILURES OR MAKE CHANGES THE IMPLICATIONS:  Essentially, what we have in the outline is a talk that, on the plus side, contains useful information for parents in the basic matter of being aware of potential “danger signs.” But fails in actually warning them of the failures of the organization policies that encourages child sexual abuse or that the abuser can be the person sitting next to you. This talk also peddles an awful, victim blaming mentality. As has been experienced in many child abuse hearing by the elders, the victim is often asked if she or he enjoyed the acts, where was she touch, what did she wear etc. Basically, the blame goes to the victim in most of the situations. This talk also promotes a “modesty culture”, though not bad in itself, but that inadvertently lessens blame on the abuser, as the abuser can in turn blame the abuse for dressing sexually, showing inappropriate affection, following him/her to a secluded location. Comments such as: “Don’t you think her clothes were too tight?” From an elder’s wife in reference to a 14-year-old girl who had been molested are often heard. The implication that a child is complicit in their own molestation or rape is disgusting victim blaming. The outline of this talk does nothing to change the prevailing attitude. The talk sets up a system in which children and their families are guilty and blame if a child is molested. You can basically hear elders counselling the parents of a raped child saying: Elder: “What could you have done to avoid this situation?” Parent: “We should have made sure our 4-year-old daughter’s underwear weren’t showing when she bent over…We could have put a training bra and baggy a baggy blouse on our 10-year-old daughter sooner, since she was starting to develop breasts.” The talk also fails to address the fact that in many cases, abusers are same sex. In such situations, what has mode of dressing have to do? Especially when male children are molested? Additionally, the entire talk is focused on casting this issue firmly into the realm of the parents and family, and stays very far away from any process or responsibility that Watchtower might have once its Elders are informed of an accusation. NOTE: The fact is, Child Sexual abuse is a crime, a form of rape. And lastly, not once does the talk discuss what happens after abuse has been committed, and the congregation must handle both an abuse survivor and a sexual predator. This omission is glaring by its absence and deliberate by watchtower standard. In short, if this talk is any indicator, Watchtower has no intention of responding to the unfolding thunderstorm of scandal in any kind of effective way. As the legal costs mount, one has to wonder how bad the damage will become before Watchtower’s Governing Body understands that its outdated approach to the issue of child abuse has no place in the 21st century. |
| Re: Jehovah’s Witnesses: Protect Your Children From Pedophiles by ChristianFreedo(m): 5:42pm On May 19, 2017 |
PEDOPHILIA - CHILD ABUSE POLICIES: WHY THE FAILINGS?  watchtower policy flowchart of handing child sexual abuse While true we live in an increasing challenging times, all organization are always conscious of safe practices, updating their policies to reflect the current challenges of the time. Just like any other religious organization, Jehovah's Witnesses as a whole abhor pedophilia and Watchtower denounces child abuse. However, faulty and self-serving policies have contributed to pedophilia occurring in the organization 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 governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses are composed of predominantly of older, white, childless, males. This has also reflected in their inflexible adherence and legalistic approach to child abuse policies and concern over putting the reputation of the organization first. This legalistic maneuver can be seen in the sworn declaration (See image below) of Governing Body Member, Gerrit Losch when trying to avoid court summon, in order to avoid defending watchtower policies on protection of children from sexual predators. www.nairaland.com/attachments/5338777_gl1_png656f8bf62ce23943ba5190a0bad0f3ca www.nairaland.com/attachments/5338778_gl2_pnga46621ab2e8584930f0c56b43d13e85c www.nairaland.com/attachments/5338779_gl3_png0f66dbb2ff5edde8aaf8b112ee091494 Watchtower has received tremendous criticism globally for its policies on pedophilia and been the subject of a multitude of media reports. Silentlambs.org 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. (Just google “Jesus Cano Bethel Elder”) The situation amongst Jehovah's Witnesses regarding pedophiles 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 pedophiles 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 of the reasons is the following: • The two witness rule to establish Scriptural crimes • The three year rule for sins of elders Other concepts also at play have been: • Worldly wisdom cannot be trusted • Reproach must not be bought on Jehovah's Organization - Witnesses are expected to solve problems within • Everyone must engage in preaching For a detail discussion of these factors, please follow the link: https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/paedophilia.php#fn1 For insight into cases of child sexual abuse and how the organization’s response fails, I recommend you read people’s comment in this link. http://jwsurvey.org/child-abuse-2/2017-watchtower-convention-children-must-dress-modestly-avoid-sexual-assault#comments Make no mistake, you may be the next victim or perpetrator. FOR THOSE INTEREST IN RESEARCHING MORE ON CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE WITHIN THE WATCHTOWER ORGANISATION AND HOW BEST TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN,PLEASE VISIT www.silentlambs.org https://jwfacts.com/watchtower/experiences/anderson.php www.watchtowerdocuments.com |
| Re: Jehovah’s Witnesses: Protect Your Children From Pedophiles by iammrjaai(m): 5:49pm On May 19, 2017 |
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