Silentlambs
Encyclopedia
Silentlambs is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping survivors of abuse. It is based in the United States and gives assistance to victims of child sexual abuse
experienced while in the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses
. Its stated purpose is to help educate the public and Jehovah’s Witnesses about child sexual abuse as well as to assist abuse survivors who have been molested as children and silenced from speaking out or seeking proper assistance as directed by religious authority.
The group claims to have received reports from more than 5000 Witnesses contending that the church mishandled child sexual abuse. Silentlambs was founded by William H. Bowen, a second generation Jehovah’s Witness who served as the Presiding Overseer in a small western Kentucky
congregation. He served as an elder for about 15 years and has claimed he was removed as an elder in July 2002 for refusing to back down on a matter involving the appointment of a child molester. The society has admitted its handling of abuse cases has not been perfect, but claims its policies were exemplary and superior to those of other religions. According to some former members, Jehovah's Witnesses may discipline or excommunicate members who have molested children, without turning the offender over to police.
In Chapter 3, Section 19 of the 2010 manual for elders of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc., it is stated that if an elder or ministerial servant confesses a past disfellowshipping offense the other elders may let him keep serving if “The immorality or other serious wrongdoing occurred more than a few years ago and he is genuinely repentant, recognizing he should have come forward immediately when he sinned. (Perhaps he has even confessed to his sin seeking help with his guilty conscience.) He’s been serving faithfully for many years, has evidence of God's blessing, and has the respect of the congregation.”
Bowen claims that the Jehovah's Witnesses headquarters, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
, keeps a database with the names of over twenty thousand abusers; he claims the list has not been released because it would hurt the public image of the church. The Watch Tower Society states that the number of names on the list is "considerably lower" than what Bowen claimed, but does not specify an actual number. It also states that the number includes individuals who are not necessarily Jehovah's Witnesses, but who are "associated with" them.
In the spring of 2002 Silentlambs assisted in bringing the first series of major civil lawsuits against the Watch Tower Society over the mishandling of child abuse. These and other subsequent cases were settled out of court with the details kept confidential.
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
experienced while in the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism, convention attendance of over 12 million, and annual...
. Its stated purpose is to help educate the public and Jehovah’s Witnesses about child sexual abuse as well as to assist abuse survivors who have been molested as children and silenced from speaking out or seeking proper assistance as directed by religious authority.
The group claims to have received reports from more than 5000 Witnesses contending that the church mishandled child sexual abuse. Silentlambs was founded by William H. Bowen, a second generation Jehovah’s Witness who served as the Presiding Overseer in a small western Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
congregation. He served as an elder for about 15 years and has claimed he was removed as an elder in July 2002 for refusing to back down on a matter involving the appointment of a child molester. The society has admitted its handling of abuse cases has not been perfect, but claims its policies were exemplary and superior to those of other religions. According to some former members, Jehovah's Witnesses may discipline or excommunicate members who have molested children, without turning the offender over to police.
In Chapter 3, Section 19 of the 2010 manual for elders of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Inc., it is stated that if an elder or ministerial servant confesses a past disfellowshipping offense the other elders may let him keep serving if “The immorality or other serious wrongdoing occurred more than a few years ago and he is genuinely repentant, recognizing he should have come forward immediately when he sinned. (Perhaps he has even confessed to his sin seeking help with his guilty conscience.) He’s been serving faithfully for many years, has evidence of God's blessing, and has the respect of the congregation.”
Bowen claims that the Jehovah's Witnesses headquarters, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is a non-stock, not-for-profit organization headquartered in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, United States. It is the main legal entity used worldwide by Jehovah's Witnesses to direct, administer and develop doctrines for the religion...
, keeps a database with the names of over twenty thousand abusers; he claims the list has not been released because it would hurt the public image of the church. The Watch Tower Society states that the number of names on the list is "considerably lower" than what Bowen claimed, but does not specify an actual number. It also states that the number includes individuals who are not necessarily Jehovah's Witnesses, but who are "associated with" them.
In the spring of 2002 Silentlambs assisted in bringing the first series of major civil lawsuits against the Watch Tower Society over the mishandling of child abuse. These and other subsequent cases were settled out of court with the details kept confidential.
See also
- Child sexual abuseChild sexual abuseChild sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
- Criticism of Jehovah's Witnesses
- Jehovah's Witnesses and child sex abuseJehovah's Witnesses and child sex abuseAs with other religious organisations, Jehovah's Witnesses have been obliged in recent years to develop child protection policies to deal with cases of child abuse in their congregations. Details of the policy have been published in Jehovah's Witnesses' publications and press releases issued by...
Further reading
- Secrets of Pedophilia in an American Religion—Jehovah’s Witnesses in Crisis, (2007) A commentary written by former member of the Watch Tower Society's Writing Department staff, Barbara Anderson. The author chronicles her experience regarding the organization's child abuse issues.