Thank you so much, as a former Jehovah’s Witness and now An activist, I commend you for taking this problem within the Jehovah’s Witness organization seriously. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

"As many of you know, this office takes the abuse of children very seriously." - You can start by eliminating the statute of limitations.

Former JW here too. Thank you for continuing to expose this sick, vile, cult! Take them down!

I was a JW and was an Elder for 16 years. Every congregation I was in over the years had a child molester. The JW headquarters has a data base of tens of thousands of them (so I've heard) many more than the Australian headquarters. Do something about this organization, they have hurt a lot of people.

Thank every one of you that is helping to DO SOMETHING to help these people. As former JW’s we collectively cringe as we hear the lies from the mouths of JW leaders on the stand under oath. They do swear on their own bible, I wonder if there’s a reason for that?

This goes all the way to the Jehovah's Witnesses Governing Body. You should make them accountable.

Attorney General Merrick Garland needs to get the FBI involved. This type of behavior needs to be rooted out. Way too many cases in Watchtowerland.

THANK YOU PENNSYLVANIA!!!!

Thank you for raising awareness for the CSA which runs rampant in the Jehovah’s Witness organisation

Their team is doing good work! I want to share this with my JW family, but I know they'd say it's apostate lies.

I got married to a JW man a year after getting baptized. Shortly after, the sheriff came to question him about molesting his daughter. The elders said to not tell anybody because it would bring reproach on Jehovah’s name. Later, 3 years later this same man was watching porn in front my 10 year old daughter. When I went to the elders the first thing I was told was not to tell anybody. The guy Is still giving bible readings and going out in field service. It’s despicable how they carry The Most High name to tarnish it! I don’t want anything to do with this organization and I’m looking forward for our divorce to be final!

I was born and raised a JW. This cult destroyed my life before it ever had a chance to begin and it ruined my entire family. I hate this cult and I hope they go away soon.

I am a former JW and was abused. I was told to let god take care of the man that abused me. Sadly he is now dead and i NEVER saw justice. TY for helping those that can. I did report but was told i had no case. I am glad that this is bing brought to light. TY some justice is being served.

This video should be sent to every local district/state attorney's office, along with anyones personal experience with CSA in the JWs. We need to take STRONG action for the safety of our children nation wide.

Thank you!! So glad that they are finally being charged. Leaving it in Jehovahs hands and not allowing anyone to go to law enforcement has to stop.

Please now go get their secret databases of offenders

Yassss!!🙌🏾🙌🏾🔥🔥My heart goes out to ALL the victims you are brave!!!

Jehovah's Witnesses view child abuse as a sin and not a crime. This is why the Elders and Governing Body members will never turn over an abuser to the police. They may suggest to the child or the parents that they can do so themselves but they will also be counselled that turning over a 'brother' to the authorities could cause division within the congregation. Jehovah's Witnesses also apply the 'Two Witness' rule to cases of sexual abuse. That is to say that the child must bring an eyewitness, or, second person to testify to the abuse or the abuser must confess himself. Naturally, abusers are usually diligent enough to be sure there are no others watching the abuse !

My family and I left the org a couple years ago. RUN!!

Thank you sir thank you sir my daughter was rape and now she cannot hold a marriage together I report it to the elders nothing happens please arrest the mothers too they know and cover it up also

“No matter what power you cloak yourself in, EVERYONE is accountable under the law.” Go get ‘em AG!!!!!

Thank you. You are the mouth pieces for these victims against this vile organisation. I myself was abused by an elders son. Thank you.

My mother should be held accountable...although I'm in south Africa...was told to leave it in Jehovah's hands ....I'm now 48 and my mother has gotten away with some awfull horrors inflicted on her 3children and is still a Jehovah's witness

When are you guys really looking into this organization. Other countries already took serious steps to hold them accountable! How many more victims need to suffer!??? Go to their headquarters and demand transparency!

THANK YOU, AG Shapiro and team! Please also investigate the "judicial" process of this organization. This is where a tribunal of 3 men question congregation members who have sinned to see if they are deemed repentant or are deserving of being disfellowshipped. These questions are often very detailed asking things like "Did you enjoy it?" This often happens to minors. I believe that now they do ask or encourage parents to be present, but that is not always the case. This is sexual harassment of minors. The men ("elders") who make up these committees are not certified or trained to deal with minors in such a way.

Australian Royal Commission on Child Sexual Abuse Case 29

Thank you to Attorney Generals office.

Thanks for bringing this to light. They use their common faith to assault these kids, and the culture of silence allow these perverts to act with impunity.

Governing body and every elder needs to be held accountable also. They need the database

As a JW child I learned that cases where one JW commits a crime against another, such as theft, should never be reported to police. Such exposure to the outside world would bring reproach upon Jehovah's name (code for making our religion look bad). If one defrauds another, litigation is discouraged because again, bringing reproach upon Jehovah's name is a very serious matter. If an outsider was interested in our religion, was possibly a future JW but then changed their mind because you reported a crime by a fellow JW to the police (part of Satan's world, remember!) instead of the elders, you could very well become bloodguilty. Yes, _blood guilty_ because their eternal life is involved. The guilt this cult bears concerning child sexual abuse should come as a surprise to no one.

Thank you for the hard work and justice in this matter. As a former JW I know this is not uncommon. What IS uncommon is any JW reporting this abuse. The "Two Witness Rule" prevents victims from EVER receiving justice or help. It is deplorable! And YES there is a huge national problem with this, not just national, but WORLD WIDE in the JW Organization.

When is this organisation going to be held to account.

Thankyou so much for standing up for these victims against this vile organization. The organization tries to show outwardly one of love but high up they try to hide their evil ways. Most of normal everyday jw is not aware of this

Wow. I started to feel nauseous watching this. They are going to get flooded with calls. May Justice prevail.

Sirs, thank you for your candid words and determination to stand up for those who have been unable to protect themselves. Thank you from an ex-JW abuse survivor.

Just think, Kingdom Hall contribution box money in the millions $$$ is being spent defending hundreds of cases 💸💸💸💸💸

So glad they were found out and brought to justice.

That horrific cult needs “new light” (JW words) 🙄shed all over it so that “the truth” (JW words) about them is known throughout the world. My heart hurts for all of the victims whose lives are destroyed. I thank God that my mom, dad and I left in the mid ‘70’s. My sister and her husband (an elder) 🙄 are still in the cult, along with their adult children and grandchildren. Everything the JW cult touches it destroys, especially families. 😥

The Watchtower Society is finally reaping what it sowed after more than 140 years of impunity. It's judgment time! I think of all the victims who died in their isolation. May justice be faced on behalf of all living and dead victims.

Put them all in prison.

As a former member of the JWs. Thank you. I was sexually and physically assaulted as a child from relatives. It was known throughout 3 congregations by a CPS worker and a doctor and nothing was done to help me. I know of at least 3 other victims and we have all have been effectively silenced by the organization. Thank you so very much!

I was part of this jehovahs witnesses and I was abused multiple times they manipulated me using the excuse that god says we can love all then continued to abuse me multiple congregations multiple pedophiles some are dead now as I'm hoyoka and that's there karma I feel sorry for anyone who is stuck in this horrible organisation that endangers adults and children ripping them apart from the real world and using fear tactics to make them wallow and bow down to abuse its disgusting I'm currently in hospital recovering from complex PTSD because of this organisation and other issues mainly child abuse I pray for those victims I wish them well and I wish peoples eyes inside that organisation will wake the fuck up including most of my family 💔

Thank you as a former member and childhood victim myself. My hope is that these all too common stories come out of the darkness and the truth about the ‘truth’ is exposed

Thank you for exposing this cult.

This situation takes up every state with JW. All the info needed is at their headquarters in NY in a database that no one seems to be able to get their hands on.

I recently asked the Canadian Branch what they're doing with the report I made on a pedophile elder. He also abused his own children as well as myself and others. I wanted to know how they store my report, for how long, and who has access. They hung up on me. During my hearing for "apostasy," multiple elders (a few of whom I did not know) KNEW about the abuse report I had made. But I had never told them, of course. Somehow they had knowledge of it all. They clearly have access to it.

I Love you Josh! Thank you! thank you! thank you! A strong advocate for the victims!

Thank you so much for highlighting the paedophile problems with jehovah's witnesss.

Oh how the mighty have fallen, good work Mr Shapiro and keep going!

I left 26 years ago after I read apocalypse delayed. I had a weirdo ministerial servant(deacon) when I was 19 who would strip to his underwear & try to wrestle me to the ground. I reported to elders they accused me of lying on this faithful brother, they said he was baptized longer he wouldn't do that...

Thank you, DA Shapiro, for your tireless efforts in binging this to the attention of all Pennsylvanians. and exposing the flaw and ignorance of this organization's members.

I wonder if the police knows that when a child tells others in their cult about the abuse, they are not to call the authorities, but to tell an "elder" who only calls the legal department at the watchtower compound in NY instead. Then nothing gets done, and the victim gets blamed for being raped/molested, and nothing else happens. So heartbreaking! Thank you all SO MUCH for what you're doing! It gives hope to the jw's who are allowed to see this happening. Thank you. I can't say that enough. God bless all of you. 🍃✝️🍃⚘️

Please sir do not just look at the local elders please get to the eight men at the top who are called governing body they are dangerous people who pamper the men and treat women and children like dirt help up sir

It is very difficult to continue life as a Survivor. I have made it to 67....lost my entire family when i revealed what I experienced. This horror needs to stop. 1 in 4 girls 1 in 7 boys are abused. Psa's need to be blared to communities. Pedos are everywhere. Facts.

Just one more of a myriad of reasons I got myself and my kids out of that nightmare organization.

At 4:35 I'm slack jawed to hear that the sexually abused child's mother knew what was going on and reminded her to "LOCK HER DOOR"... HORRIFIC‼️

This is absolutely horrifying. I'm relieved to hear that authorities are prosecuting these perverted evil criminals‼️😶

Very sad, disturbing. The children's innocence destroyed, their little minds and hearts polluted. Judge throw the book at the predators. Please little ones you are not to blame 😔😥😢😭

Let’s see then blame apostates and demons for this.

We are so very proud of the work that you did. We need MANY, MANY, MANY more officers and agents in our states. You all do us proud. you are shining examples of what our law officials should strive to be.

Thank you for helping these children. I was also raised as a Jehovah's Witness. It was personally knowing women & Children that were being physically and sexually abused that was the primary reason for leaving. This is a major issue in this organization not just in your state (I'm in Louisiana) but world wide. See the Australian Royal Commission. If a victim comes forward they risk being Disfellowshipped (Excommunicated) and losing everyone they are close to with the shunning forced on them by the organization. These children where very brave.

Hope the mother was charged too. How disgusting. Lock them up and bring the death penalty to those who do this to our children. Sick people, pure evil. No excuses for it. Peace!

Thank you very much for believing in the victims and doing a serious and responsible investigation. We hope that the victims come out of the darkness and ostracism and finally be heard by justice. The Watchtower has to pay for their crimes! Thank you for being the Voice and justice for so many victims who have been silenced by this evil organization!

What is it about religious organisations of all stripes and the use of sexual and physical assault on children?

The light is certainly getting brighter !

Thank you

Thank you not just for arresting them but for telling the world exactly what they do because the religion covers for them. I left that cult 10 years ago and this is still so hard to hear because I know exactly the environment that allows this to happen. It’s brainwashed people that are practically groomed for this.

Thank you. I was raised in a JW household, and glad I am free of this cult now. This high control group hides so many forms of abuse. These disgusting predators, and this cult, need to be held accountable.

Former JW here and I THANK YOU SO MUCH for bringing light on these ongoing issues since the beginning! They hide so many child abusers and parents don’t know this. There are so many layers to unpack but man oh man this is a breath of fresh air

When you get so "puffed up with pride" use classes, shunning, closed door judgements, behind those walls adults dont even have a voice. There was 3 teen suicides in my old congregation, I specifically remeber the parents showing up at the very next meeting like nothing giving comments like it was another normal day.

This is the result of shunning and not taking care of their people. When seious issues arise, Watchtower puts their head in the sand. Thanks Josh Shapiro for doing an outstanding job on this 70 year old issue of Watchtower

I'm so glad that someone is finally doing something about the abuses in the JW's! I've heard about these abuses for over a decade. Hopefully, the PA authorities also know that not only does the church keep detailed records of the abuse cases with the names of the abusers & victims but there's also a women who worked for the church for a long time who has the records. Once she found out about what had been happening, she copied the info & brought it home before she & her husband left the 'faith'. She was featured in a documentary about the abuses in the church. If any ex-JW's know the name of that woman, please contact the PA authorities! She could be a great help to them.

Are there creeps in every group? Is there ANYWHERE safe for kids? Sickening❗️

Thank you so much for bringing light to this ongoing issue. Myself and at least 13 others were sexually abused by a member of our congregation when we were children. Nothing was ever reported to the police and this is absolutely why he was able to continue harming children. He was deemed “repentant” and allowed to remain. He’s still there to this day. I left the organization once realizing the extent of how child abusers are protected from legal action. My family now shuns me for that, while NOT shunning the abuser. Children are not protected. They even have a section in their secret elders book where it states that viewing child pornography is not to be considered child abuse but warrants “strong counseling”.

Was born into JW. This all sounds so familiar. Preston park and Chisholm trail congregations were so sketchy in the 80’s and early 90s. I just refused to go one Sunday. Never been back. Family still hates me.

I’m not sure anyone can grasp how many people could be coming forward with this offer of representation and support .Wowowoowow. Thank God above!

Jail them all!!

I thank the Pennsylvania Grand Jury & all involved for LISTENING & taking action to launch this huge Investigation into the systemic CSA & the cover up of it in the jehovah's witness church.

Happened in Atchison County Kansas too. It's disgusting that any person "of faith" could preach God's teachings, then go against all of it. I was lucky enough to escape the Witnesses before I was violated, many of my friends did not. It's not just sexual assault. You would be hard pressed to find a more brutally abusive group of people when it comes to child discipline. It's not only condoned, it's expected. Even during "meetings" at the kingdom hall. This I did not escape.

Thank you, hope this will be known to all JW who doesn’t know anything about this real truth of CSA in their own org.

Thank God🙏 this wicked evil organization is being exposed. Thanks you for sharing!

Finally, Maxine, your sister will get justice.

wolves clothed as sheep

Roman Chapter 13 says Jehovah gives civil authorities the AUTHORITY to correct law breakers. Thank you for doing your job. I will continue to in pray for you and myself to do the right thing.

There needs to be a comprehensive, National investigation of the Watchtower organization.

Never trust a self professed man of God. Never.

“By your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37 "True religion in no way practices secretiveness." Watchtower, June 1, 1997 page 6 Letter to Elders, August 23, 2010 "The information is designed for use by the elders only, and other individuals should not have any opportunity to read the information." Shepherd the Flock of God, 2010: “If the accused denies the accusation, the investigating elders should try to arrange a meeting with him and the accuser together. (Note: If the accusation involves child sexual abuse and the victim is currently a minor, the elders should contact the branch office before arranging a meeting with the child and the alleged abuser .) If the accuser or the accused is unwilling to meet with the elders or if the accused continues to deny the accusation of a single witness and the wrongdoing is not established, the elders will leave matters in Jehovah's hands.” “The investigating elders should compose a record, sign it, put it in a sealed envelope, and place it in the congregations confidential file.” Watchtower 1995 Nov 1 pages 28-29: "What Can Elders Do?“ “The names of any remembered abusers should be kept in strict confidence.” “ What if the sufferer decides that he wants to make an accusation? Then the two elders can advise him that, in line with the principle at Matthew 18:15, he should personally approach the accused about the matter.“ “If the accusation is denied, the elders should explain to the accuser that nothing more can be done in a judicial way. And the congregation will continue to view the one accused as an innocent person. The Bible says that there must be two or three witnesses before judicial action can be taken. Even if more than one person remembers abuse by the same individual, the nature of these recalls is just too uncertain to base judicial decisions Steven Lett, JW Broadcasting “Another way we can contribute to the oneness - (is by) rejecting false stories that are designed to separate us from Jehovah’s organization. As an example, think about the apostate-driven lies and dishonesties that Jehovah’s organization is permissive toward pedophiles. I mean, that is ridiculous, isn’t it! If anybody takes action against someone who would threaten our young ones, and takes action to protect our young ones, it is Jehovah’s organization. We reject outright such lies.” “For there is nothing kept secret that will not be revealed, nor will anything hidden not become known and brought to light.” Luke 8:17

Oh this is so dark and sick...keep bringing it into the light...💔🙏💔...Amen.

What about charges for the mothers that knew this was going on and allowed it to continue. Telling a daughter to lock her door? That's awful.

I'm a Jehovah's witness here and I will press charges if something like this happened to any of my kids. The elders aren't the police if a family member chooses not to charge, that's on them. We are not told not to report to the police, that is left up to us. Ones that are known to do this, lose their privileges and are disfellowshiped. That's a serious accusation on top of that, you can't just go around and accuse someone of it. That's when the parents need to step in and be there child adovacate.

Thank goodness. It’s about time.

Real Estate Tax Evasion needs to be next!

I wonder if this is the same case where congregation elders deliberately did not report allegations to the local police, as directed by the organization legal department, (because elders are in fact instructed to do this) but then when those elders got caught, the organization basically abandoned those elders to their fate to wash their hands of the whole thing. The organization will do anything to protect their brand. Remember the "Panorama" documentary, where someone said their motive is "if they cover it up, it only hurts one person, but if it gets out it hurts the whole organization"

Thank You so very much for this. Lock them up and continue to find More of those evil people and lock them up for life.

Wow, I am appalled by so many JW crime stories. I never knew that many people in this organization suffered so much. The silence is deafening. I am sorry for those who have suffered much. 😔

I was assaulted by a girl every Thursday when I was 5 at their Kingdom Halls by an eight year old girl. She wanted to play grown up games. These guys claim to have the only true faith and will make you lose your whole family when you press them on discrepancies. They're demons in every sense of the word.

Jehovah witness did the same to my kids when they were little and the thing is I knew her very well and went to school with her daughter and we were BFF!!!

I will bet the JWs covered up these cases as is their customary response, i.e. not calling and reporting to police.

I am so thankful for those people who go after these horrible criminals

Thanks to Joe Biden for signing the: "Eliminating the Limits to Justice for C.S.A. Victims Act" in Sept 2022 -- it allows _civil suits_ to go forward with no statute of limitations barrier, so the victims can have at least some compensation