In 2002 this letter (http://www.silentlambs.org/education/UKlettertoallcong.cfm) was written to all congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the UK when the television program "Panorama" brought forth allegations that abuse was being covered up.

We are mounting a nationwide campaign to alert the public and Jehovah’s Witnesses of a fugitive that is on the 15 most wanted by the U. S. Marshalls Service. Rick McLean is a “serial child molester” that used his knowledge of the inner workings of Jehovah’s Witnesses to access and molest numerous children for many years. McLean was a ministerial servant and pioneered (more hours in door to door work) and often took children on camping trips to build trust and allow him access.

Silentlambs is happy to announce the establishment of a sister organization in Denmark called “Silent Witnesses.” Maja Thorup is a former JW of over eighteen years and recently has started a mass of media coverage on the abuse issue in Denmark. Below is a listing of the articles and past coverage of the problem of abuse in this country. At silentlambs we wish to express our appreciation for the tireless efforts of all those that work to protect children. We wish Maja great success for her work in Denmark! ‘

Below is the first mention of the words “Pedophile Paradise” used to apply to the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The year was 1998 and it was in response to the 1995 Watchtower article on child abuse. Read this essay and see if you feel to that Jehovah’s Witnesses provide a “Pedophile Paradise” for child molesters.

Timothy Gardener is now a released child molester registered as living in Orrick, Missouri. His mug shot has been featured on the U.S. Department Of Justice website usdoj.gov. He was convicted while a ministerial servant of Jehovah’s Witnesses at nearby Richmond, Missouri. Please do not approach or accost Gardner in any way, but do keep children away from him including small boys. He may also be at kingdom hall buildings located near Richmond and at Liberty, Missouri, or preaching door-to-door in those or adjacent communities.

In January of 2007 silentlambs was contacted by an elder that stated a new BOE (internal body of elder letter) was read to elders in the congregation about re-appointment of child molesters. The elder commented that the new BOE closed the opening for child molesters to ever be appointed to any position of responsibility in the congregation. While this is encouraging, we sent word out for a copy of the letter to confirm the observation. Silentlambs has yet to receive a copy of this letter but it is important to note that if so, this could represent a significant change to current policy in these matters. To understand this you have to go back into the history of the policy on abuse in order to understand it more clearly.

As abuse victims sobbed in the courtroom, a judge approved a $660 million settlement yesterday between the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and 508 people who had filed suit over sexual abuse by clergy members.

“Settling the cases was the right thing to do,” said Judge Haley J. Fromholz of Los Angeles County Superior Court.

This is a post from the silentlambs guestbook. It illustrates that many times the background of JW members is kept out of the media to not bring “reproach on Jehovah” and protect the reputation of the organization. We publish this information based on what is written with hope that it will encourage others that know of JW molesters that are not reported in the media to be noted on the silentlambs website. In this story it is interesting to note that this person had a history of child molestation. Did the elders in Canada act on this information? If they did not, how many more children did this pedophile access before he was finally caught? The answers to these questions illustrate how the Jehovah’s Witness policy on child abuse continues to hurt children.

In the article below two smiling accused murders walk free as a Jehovah’s Witnesses refuses to provide evidence of their crime. This appears to be a pattern with regard to how JWs deal with crime, note the following letter sent to two elders that inquired about a confession of several murders in 1992.

We wish to release the following flyer for use at District Conventions, Kingdom Halls and anywhere the public might have contact with Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Often many abuse survivors feel a let down after settlements from lawsuits. In many instances they wanted to be heard and now they are left to deal with all the issues and basically not talk to anyone about it. For those reason we share this letter to those that are part of this process.

Your child tried to tell you something today, did you listen? The something that he or she needs to tell you will change your life as it has changed theirs. It will destroy their ability to dream, to play, to grow, to be normal.

As a large group of the Faithful and Discreet Slave, a part of the anointed remnant of Christ’s Brothers from around the world, we wanted to commend you for your fine work that you have done. This is a letter of support. We know that it is not easy to go against the policies of the Governing Body. You are courageous and bold. We appreciate the work that you are doing on behalf of the lost sheep that have been neglected and abused by elders and indirectly by the Governing Body for not putting proper policies in place to assure the safety and security of all members old and young alike.

silentlambs Radio Interviews

One of the most frequent reader responses to David Neff's article on Knocking, the PBS documentary on Jehovah's Witnesses, is that it did not address the allegations against church officials.of abuse and coverups.

It really wasn't relevant to a discussion of this particular documentary, but yes, we are aware of the cases. In fact, we covered them before the rest of the media.

At Silentlambs we are happy to report that the public has been informed of the attempt of Jehovah’s Witnesses to once again cover up their child abuse scandal. Once again we see the abuse of tax free donations designated as Worldwide Work Donations to benefit pedophiles. Exposing the fact that leadership continues to protect child molesters through their policies and require members to comply or face execution by disfellowshipping remains part of the educational work of Silentlambs.

A victims' rights group released documents Thursday that showed the Jehovah's Witnesses recently settled civil suits with 16 people who claimed they were sexually abused by church elders or that church officials failed to act on abuse allegations.

The group, called silentlambs, held a news conference in Nashville to demand that the denomination change its policy for responding to sex abuse reports.

Over a five day period in February, 16 civil child sex abuse lawsuits against Watchtower (the Jehovah’s Witness headquarters in New York City) were quietly settled in three states (CA, TX and OR). The victims involved were essentially coerced into signing ‘gag orders’ that prevent them from discussing the cases. (Copies of the 16 dismissal notices and of 1-2 of the actual lawsuits will be provided.)

Cops say that Frederick "Rick" McLean was described as a loner by those who knew him. An expert mechanic who was financially successful in the business of buying, restoring, and reselling vintage CanAm and open-wheel race cars from the 60's and 70's, McLean lived and worked in the San Diego and Riverside counties of southern California. According to US Marshals, McLean was a Ministerial Servant in the Jehovah's Witnesses and was utilizing his position of trust to commit sexual crimes against young girls - some no more than five years old.

A Jehovah's Witness elder who investigators said raped a girl when she was 8 years old has been arrested, Volusia County sheriff's officials said Monday.

And now police are anxious to learn whether there are any others who may have been attacked by 40-year-old Henry William Hauch of Mims, who has been charged with sexual battery.