The entire House of Representatives wants an investigation into the abuse of Jehovah’s witnesses

All political parties in the House of Representatives want the government to investigate sexual abuse in the community of Jehovah's Witnesses. This is because the board of the religious group refuses to cooperate.

The Chamber suspects that due to the closed culture of the Jehovah's Witnesses, much remains private and victims do not dare to report crimes. And as a result, children are still at risk, the House says.

The Chamber wants research to be conducted through the statements of victims and other involved parties into "the possible underlying pattern, the (church) rules used, customs and structures within the community and the influence this has on the willingness of these people to report crimes".

Don't force

The House also wants an analysis of investigations into sexual abuse in communities of Jehovah's witnesses in other countries. More is not legally possible because the government cannot force the board to cooperate, as Minister Dekker for Legal Protection has previously found out.

Dekker had entered into discussions with the board after dozens of reports had been received at the new sexual abuse reporting center Reclaimed Voices. There are now almost 300. But the board maintains that it concerns only a few people and that the organization itself has taken sufficient measures.