In the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses, higher education is strongly discouraged and many children are home-schooled. Children also spend long hours in the religion’s recruitment work and instructional programs.

Corporal punishment is practiced commonly, and women are encouraged to consider staying with abusive husbands in the hopes of converting them.

Friendships and associations with anyone outside the religion are discouraged, with unbelievers described as “worldly” and “bad association.” Marriage to nonbelievers is also prohibited.

Rape victims are required to scream and fight against an attacker or risk being viewed as having “consented to the violation” and being consequently shunned. Jehovah’s Witness elders are outright instructed to use “discernment” when considering claims of rape, evaluating an [alleged] victim’s “mental disposition” and circumstances surrounding the incident.

How to Participate

Our Watchtower Victims Memorial Day is observed on the third Saturday of July. On that day, leave a flower, teddy bear, or other memorial at a Kingdom Hall or assembly hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with a card or note.

If possible, take a picture and upload it to social media using the hashtag #WatchtowerVictimsMemorialDay or #WatchtowerVictims.

If you’re uncomfortable visiting a Kingdom Hall or assembly hall, leave your memorial at a public park, beach, or other area, being careful not to litter, block signage or access to entryways, and the like.







We also encourage and appreciate everyone’s creativity in marking our Day. Participants might make videos and share them on YouTube and elsewhere, talking about what the Day means to them. Some have also handed out flowers and cards in public squares, set up booths at fairs to distribute flyers, and put signs in the windows of their homes for passersby to see. Please visit our FAQ and Gallery pages to learn more!