44 Stories of Child Sexual Abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses in Australia

All stories are from the Australian “Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse: Final Report.”

Content warning: This content is about child sexual abuse. It contains graphic descriptions and strong language, and may be confronting and disturbing. If you need help, please seek support. The stories of survivors, may bring up many strong feelings and questions. Be assured you are not alone, and that there are many services and support groups available to assist in dealing with these. Some options for advice and support are listed below:

(AUSTRALIA ONLY) 1800 Respect – Call 1800 737 732 or visit

www.1800respect.org.au

24/7 telephone and online crisis support, information and immediate referral to specialist counselling for anyone in Australia who has experienced or been impacted by sexual assault, or domestic or family violence.

(AUSTRALIA ONLY) Lifeline – Call 13 11 14 or visit

www.lifeline.org.au

24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention.

(AUSTRALIA ONLY) National and State Support Services

https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/contact

Disclaimer: Stories are from people who spoke with a Commissioner during a private session of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Real names of individuals have not been used, except of public figures in a public context. Nothing in these stories are findings of the Royal Commission and any views expressed are those of the person, not of the Commissioners. (C) Commonwealth of Australia. 2017.

The Myth:

“Another way we can contribute to the oneness – rejecting false stories that are designed to separate us from Jehovah’s organization. As an example, think about the apostate-driven lies and dishonesties that Jehovah’s organization is permissive toward pedophiles. I mean, that is ridiculous, isn’t it? If anybody takes action against someone who would threaten our young ones and takes action to protect our young ones, it’s Jehovah’s organization. We reject outright such lies!” – M. Stephen Lett, member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. As published on JW.ORG (c) 2015.

The Facts:

The following 44 stories are not ‘apostate-driven lies and dishonesties.’ These stories are genuine heart-wrenching accounts from just some of the people who spoke with a Commissioner during a private session of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse looking into Jehovah’s Witnesses and Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia Limited.

The Evidence:

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse released its final report on 15 December 2017. The Final Report presented some disturbing facts about child sexual abuse within the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Australia, including over 1800 child abuse victims and 1006 alleged perpetrators with 0 allegations of child sexual abuse reported to the authorities or police by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

DOWNLOAD: Case Study 29 – Official Findings Report into Jehovah’s Witnesses

DOWNLOAD: Jehovah’s Witnesses in Australia Child Abuse Data Base Summary

44 Stories of Child Sexual Abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses in Australia

1. Alita’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

2. Allison Trudy’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

3. Antoinette’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

4. Becki’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

5. Bella’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

6. Brianne and Jayne’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

7. Brook’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

8. Calinda’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

9. Camila’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

10. Candice’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

11. Carleen’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

12. Daisie’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

13. Dale Gregory’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

14. Ellie May’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

15. Gennie’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

16. Georgina’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

17. Georgina Ann’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

18. Geraldine Lee’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

19. Gwen’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

20. Helena Simone’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

21. Julia Maree’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

22. Kaley’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

23. Karena’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

24. Kevin Craig’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

25. Kimberly’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

26. Kimmie’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

27. Leonora’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

28. Mariana’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

29. Marieke’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

30. Marissa’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

31. Marta’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

32. Maxine’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

33. Mitchell Jame’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

34. Myles Andrew’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

35. Neal Owen’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

36. Neroli’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

37. Pam Kate’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

38. Piper’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

39. Rainie’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

40. Rebekka’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

41. Ruben Eli’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

42. Sylvester’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

43. Toni Lynn’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses

44. Yasmin’s story of child sexual abuse within Jehovah’s Witnesses