" recommendations in relation to Jehovah's Witnesses specifically, all exclusively relate to our Bible-based beliefs. "The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse acknowledged that Jehovah's Witnesses do not have the institutional settings that exist in many faith-based institutions," Mr Pecipajkovski said. They argued they never should have been included in the royal commission as they don't run activities that put children in their care or supervision. Until this year, the Jehovah's Witnesses also refused to sign on to the National Redress Scheme for victims of child sexual abuse. For example, in the Roman Catholic Church there are no women serving as cardinals, bishops, or priests," he said. "That religious belief and teaching is not unique to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Mr Pecipajkovski also said the religion had no plans to include women in investigations as the Bible mandated only men could be elders. However victims told the royal commission they were often intimidated out of making reports. The elders will make that report even if there is only one witness," he said. ![]() "Elders will report an allegation of abuse to the statutory authorities as required by law, or in the absence of a mandatory reporting law, whenever it appears the victim or any other minor is in danger of abuse from the accused. Mr Pecipajkovski said the two-witness rule was a requirement of the Bible and did not stop elders from reporting abuse to the authorities. Neither of these recommendations have been introduced. In 2016 the royal commission recommended the Jehovah's Witnesses abolish their "two-witness rule" - two people must see abuse for it to be dealt with - and that women be included in investigations of abuse. Jehovah's Witnesses hold onto charity statusĪlthough Sherrie and Naomi say they have done a lot of healing, they are not sure the organisation will make the changes they believe it should. "These people need to be heard, understood and able to trust as it's often so hard for them to leave a religion and make any friends," Sherrie said. The group says people from around the country have already contacted it to ask for help. Sherrie wants others trapped in high-control religions to know there is support available. "When a family member is disfellowshipped, the religious ties change, but normal family affections and dealings continue."Īs Sherrie expected, her entire family cut contact with her and former friends now cross the street to avoid her. "Individual congregants exercise their personal religious conscience and apply the bible's admonition to limit or cease their association with a disfellowshipped person. "Courts have upheld the right to religious freedom in this area the European Court of Human Rights.," he said. ![]() Tom Pecipajkovski, the Jehovah's Witness national spokesman, told the ABC the organisation didn't automatically disfellowship or shun anyone who breached the bible's standards but would do so if the person repeatedly breached standards and was unwilling to change. "The fact that there is no easy way to leave without ramifications is incredibly cult-like," Sherrie said. In 2019, the organisation used the greatest weapon in its arsenal - Sherrie was disfellowshipped.Īccording to the Jehovah's Witnesses website, disfellowship occurs when "unrepentant sinners" are expelled from a congregation.įamily and friends are encouraged to shun the person who has been excommunicated. ![]() The royal commission heard from survivors of child sexual abuse within the Jehovah's Witnesses and found allegations of abuse had been made against 1,006 members.Īfter learning this, Sherrie began to push the boundaries and speak out against the religion. Sherrie and Sacha say the church's elders were not transparent about several issues.
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