Public Prosecution Service is investigating Jehovah’s abuse

The Public Prosecution Service is investigating nine cases of sexual violence within the Jehovah's Witnesses, Minister Dekker of Legal Protection reports in a letter to the House of Representatives.

The investigation focuses on the specific reports that have been made and therefore not on the entire religious community of Jehovah's Witnesses, says a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service.

This concerns five reports that were received through Reclaimed Voices, a foundation that stands up for the interests of victims. In addition, four reports were filed outside the foundation. Research is also being done into this. The Public Prosecution Service cannot comment further on the content of the reports.

Careful

According to Dekker, the reports have been "carefully processed by specialized vice officers" in various regions.

Some victims of abuse within the church have now come forward with their stories. In addition, Minister Dekker previously called on victims of abuse to report the incident.

Investigation denied

Last month, all parties in the House of Representatives called for an investigation into sexual abuse within the denomination. The House wanted this because the board of the Jehovah's Witnesses refused to investigate sexual abuse within the church.

According to the leadership, Jehovah's Witnesses have already taken measures to protect children in recent years and a small number of victims have reportedly come forward.

The latter argument conflicts with figures from Reclaimed Voices, which received 276 reports of abuse. Reports were also received by Trouw, which has regularly written about the abuse.

Cover up

"In our view, there are reasons to assume that things are not right within the entire community, which puts victims at a disadvantage. Consider covering up abuse," says Raymond Hintjes of Reclaimed Voices on NPO Radio 1. "Or that "Elders know about it, but do not report it. We do not know what the results of the investigation are. So victims are facing an uncertain time in that regard."

According to Hintjes, it is logical that so many reports have been received, but so few reports. "Jehovahs who report it are afraid of jeopardizing their family relationships. A large group still refuses to speak out."

In the Netherlands, about 30,000 people are members of the Jehovah's Witnesses. The community is very closed. NOS op 3 previously made this short documentary about Rick, who left the community and therefore lost contact with his family: