AvoidJW Icon 512
JEHOVAH’S

WITNESSES

10 Years revealing secrets because there is no excuse for secrecy in religion – w1997 June 1; Dan 2:47; Matt 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 12:2; Acts 4:19, 20.

Photo - Hollandse Hoogte

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not transfer abuse reports to the judicial authorities

Originally published in Dutch by NOS nieuws on  February 9, 2018.

The Jehovah's Witnesses do not intend to voluntarily hand over reports of possible abuse within the religious community to the judicial authorities. According to a spokesperson, it is up to the victim to report the incident and the organization has no leading role in this. "We are not calling on members not to report."

Yesterday, the Jehovah's were accused of withholding reports of child sexual abuse allegations for years. Victims now fear that records in the archives of the Jehovah's Witnesses will be destroyed and evidence will be lost.

For a few months now, there has been a reporting point where victims can report and more than two hundred cases have already been reported there. Raymond Hintjes is from the foundation that stands up for the interests of victims. He said yesterday that charges will follow. He therefore wants the Public Prosecution Service to demand the reports before it is too late.

Internal system

The Jehovah's Witnesses have an internal system for handling cases of abuse. A complaint is submitted to a special committee. A spokesperson would not like to characterize these committees as courts. "The reports are for the internal organization and we use them to be a safe organization for our young members."

And furthermore: "We do not transfer the reports to the police or the judiciary because we believe that the victim is leading. We are not legally obliged to do so and every lawyer will agree with us in this."

Picture of Lester Somrah
Lester Somrah

Lester Somrah writes about the beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses on his social media platforms and was baptized as a member in 1998.

Read more from Lester