‘Dozens of reports of sexual abuse among Jehovah’s Witnesses’

A foundation established to expose sexual abuse by Jehovah's Witnesses received 46 reports in one week. That's what Frank Huiting, one of the founders, says. He calls the number of reports shocking.

Huiting announced the foundation more than a week ago. According to the initiators, victims are not heard within the closed community and perpetrators are held over their heads.

Huiting also has that experience. He grew up in the closed community of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was abused for years from the age of seven. When Huiting told his parents what happened to him, they decided not to press charges. He said a week ago that an elder had advised against that. "Then there will be headlines in the newspaper and we don't want that."

On the right track

He received many reactions following his story, he tells RTV Noord. "They are generally very positive. I am often told that it is brave and also very necessary that this story comes out. We are on the right track."

Over the past week, foundation employees heard stories from other people who were abused by Jehovah's Witnesses. "The fact that so many reports have been received actually says enough. There are certainly hundreds of cases in the Netherlands that should actually be made public." But according to Huiting, many people do not dare to talk.

Listening ear

Reclaimed Voices, the foundation that Huiting founded with others, is primarily intended as a listening ear. The employees want victims to speak out. They also hope that they will report the abuse. The foundation itself does not provide professional help. That is left to the professionals, says Huiting.

"People have sometimes carried around this secret for years. And the fact that they come out can be a relief for them. That is also my experience. We would also like to advise them to seek professional help. Even outside the religious community, for example, with a social worker, psychologist or a GP. Please talk."

Make a fist

The organization wants to collect as many reports of sexual abuse as possible to "make a fist towards the board of Jehovah's Witnesses Netherlands" and towards the government. "We want to get the government to investigate these abuses. And not to start a fight, but really to put the victim first."

A spokesperson for the national board of the Jehovah's Witnesses reported last week that they were open to a conversation with the foundation. But according to Huiting they are still a bit reluctant. "We have written an open letter. That is also an invitation to enter into discussions with the board."