The Lambs Continue to Roar
Today I responded to a call on the 877-WTABUSE hotline and assisted two JW sisters to report the Elder that molested them to the authorities. They had been silenced by the local Body of Elders that told each of them they needed two eye witnesses to the actual event of molestation and since there was not two people watching, the Elder remains an innocent man and they would be punished if they told anyone. It is a sad note that eighteen years after the fact silent lambs continue to be made by policies of the Governing Body. This particular instance is just one of over seven hundred that Silentlambs had helped to be reported to authorities over the last eighteen years. Since day one Silentlambs has remained true to its mission to remain neutral with regard to doctrine and support abuse survivors.
Silentlambs does not profit from blogs in the xjw community, nor do we sell documents drawn from the blood and tears of abuse survivors to make money. If you review the website there are no advertisements to profiteer from our work. We have remained the gold standard for proof the abuse problem within Jehovah’s Witnesses continues. Many may not be aware, but it was Silentlambs that first showed the problem and explained the two eye witness policy of the organization with the letter of resignation by William H Bowen. He was ridiculed and made fun of but his statement was verified just months later when the JWorg PR department released this statement on their website. It not only verified what Bowen was saying was true but it also incriminated them for the damage they were doing to children to media around the world. Silentlambs released the first Body of Elders letters on abuse that not only explained the policy but also provided the legal basis for victims to seek compensation in the courts. Silentlambs filed the first lawsuits in 2001 and wrote the first legal documents that provided the precedents for victims to have legal standing to this day. In documentaries that have been done around the world it is the platform created by Silentlambs that has allowed victims to have a voice and the backing to say this is a real problems that is not being addressed. The over 10,000 pages on the website are continuing to be referenced and used by members within, those that have left and the legal community, to show the extent of the rampant abuse still being allowed in the organization. For example, are you aware of the pattern of Jehovah’s Witnesses going to court and being character witnesses for convicted pedophiles? Read it here. Did you know that the organization took out full page newspapers ads to call an abuse victim a liar? Read it here. Are you aware of the Circuit Overseer report in which a man that molested seventeen children was protected? Read it here.
This is not an attack on Jehovah’s Witnesses it is simply reporting the horrific actions of the organization against abuse survivors. This helps the public and members to be educated as to the extent of cover up within the organization. In addition, it gives victims hope to know they are not alone and that they were not at fault.
Silentlambs remains the oldest 501 C 3 non-profit organization that continues to offer advice and support to JW abuse survivors. We have expenses related to the hotlines as well as website and other areas that we quietly assist those in need. This time of the year when many consider supporting worthy causes, we ask that you set aside a donation to Silentlambs. To continue, we need your kind assistance and support. Help us to do this noble work of helping those that need it so desperately.
As some might recall there was a story written to describe the mission of Silentlambs it was called “The Day the Lambs Roared”, we have helped thousands of silent lambs to find their voice and that collective roar continues to protect children and bring criminals to justice.
Will you help the lambs to roar this year?