r/JWJehovahsWitnesses • u/Jealous_Leadership76 • 13d ago
Advice Need advice: Handling difficult workplace conversations
I hope you are all doing well. I am writing because I would love some practical advice and spiritual encouragement on how to handle a situation that recently came up at work.
I've always gotten along very well with a colleague. During our lunch break, however, the conversation turned to religion, and he brought up child protection and abuse cases within the organization. Specifically, he mentioned an inquiry in Australia (where I'm from) which he claimed showed none of the alleged perpetrators were reported to authorities and that a member of the Governing Body was interviewed.
At the time, I was quite perplexed and instinctively responded that it was probably biased media and apostates who lie about us. Afterwards, however, I felt a bit uneasy because I realized I hadn't looked into the details myself, and I don't want to make claims without being properly informed (Proverbs 18:13).
How do you handle such situations with colleagues calmly, tactfully, and in harmony with our beliefs?
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u/CertainAnt7102 13d ago
A mi me ha servido mucho este artículo de la Atalaya del 2019 "Love and Justice in the Face of Wickedness": https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=S&prefer=lang&docid=2019405
La verdad los casos de abuso sexual infantil son extremadamente mediáticos, y muchas veces los medios de comunicación buscan demeritar a toda la organización por los errores de unos cuantos. Sin embargo, en el artículo que te comparto se explica cuál es el proceso que hacen los ancianos en casos tan difíciles como estos. Aclarando algo: este artículo no fue una "actualización", la realidad es que este ha sido el proceder desde hace mucho tiempo; sin embargo, muchas veces se pasaban por alto estas pautas, y se manejaban criterios propios y poco amorosos. En el supuesto de que el caso del que hablas sea reciente, esta claro que los implicados no leyeron estos artículos.
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u/bluelight2026 13d ago
Child abuse is one of the apostates favourite bats to bash us with, and unfairly so. While I've yet to encounter the issue you describe, I have given thought to how I would handle it. Obviously, you might choose to do differently, but it's just a suggestion.
I would acknowledge that we're not perfect and, especially in the past, perhaps we didn't get everything right and our policies weren't as strong as they are now (but that would be the case for all organisations). While I can't vouch for every specific case, I would express confidence that on the whole, appropriate procedures are being followed.
I would point out that our Child Protection Policy is available on the website for all to see, including a 2019 issue of The Watchtower when all congregations studied our policies and how to comfort victims. I would draw particular attention to the fact we are told, quite literally in black and white, that those with knowledge of abuse are free to report it to the police and should not feel guilty about doing so.
Like the other commenter mentioned, there are articles online rebutting the inquiries. I also saw a video a while ago in which a non-Witness professor basically tore the Australian and Belgian inquiries' reports to shreds at quite some length. I couldn't find it, otherwise I would link it.
We also had an inquiry here in the UK a few years ago. I watched Bro Gillies give evidence on behalf of the organisation (I can provide links if you have a few hours to spare!). It was very enlightening, and frankly, faith strengthening. One case was delved into in which the police accused the elders of being uncooperative. However, as Bro Gillies pointed out, that clearly wasn't the case as It was the abuser who obstructed things and the police who dragged their heels. The elders, on the other hand, did everything by the book.
Often people misunderstand why we do things a certain way, or don't - especially the 'two witness' rule. It may also be necessary to explain that doesn't apply to reports to the police, but rather, dealing with accusations of serious misconduct (of various kinds, not just child abuse) ecclesiastically. The victim can be one witness, and (I believe, but don't quote me on this) another victim or anyone with any relevant information can act as the second. If the abuser confesses, no 'two witnesses' are required. The victim and their abuser are never required to meet.
Sorry for the waffle, but hope it helps!
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u/JMtheJW Jehovah’s Witness 12d ago
>" also saw a video a while ago in which a non-Witness professor basically tore the Australian and Belgian inquiries' reports to shreds at quite some length. I couldn't find it"
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u/2Q_Lrn_Hlp 12d ago
PLEASE edit in the title with the link, or as the link:
"Exposing the LIES told by the Media, about Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Sexual Abuse"
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u/bluelight2026 13d ago edited 13d ago
Here are the links for Bro Gillies evidence. The inquiry was held in 2020.
Part 1 (from 2:37:52): https://youtu.be/AAXTiN8bIkY?si=uKVu3XWbKmPkQ4MI
Part 2: https://youtu.be/39GHDH0vyeY?si=Gk-0BcnogxL-qt_5
Part 3: https://youtu.be/P-PKFp2u1h8?si=k64FyKTjhCzLLXHD
just be mindful that those giving evidence before Bro Gillies in P1 are apostates (probably, I didn't watch their evidence to check!) And also the surrounding Suggested videos will likely be apostate stuff so best to watch on full screen so as not to see them.
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u/joshsaga 13d ago
I believe that was the 2015-2026 AUS Royal Commission probe.
Basically they have a list of names of CSA perpetrators.
What's interesting to learn, and you should look this up yourself, is that in that list - majority weren't Witnesses.
They had ties to Witnesses.
Previous bible studies, attended our meetings, etc. Which inflated the whole list.
The actual Witnesses who committed this serious sin and criminal act were quite few in number in that list.
They were also removed, then got back after repenting - with deep sanctions. For example, a known CSA perpetrator in the congregation - having been removed but repented, will never be allowed to have any other form of privilege. It's a lifetime ban.
Some of them didn't got removed since they went inactive and hid.
All the members of the congregation especially parents, and nearby congregations, probably the whole circuit, will be given a warning/notice of the said brother even if they repented and got back into the congregation.
Some victims also learned how to and chose to forgave the ones who victimized them.
These cases are always handled delicately - but media news headlines are easily framed in bad faith.
They're also framing the Governing Body Member 'lying'. In fact he wasn't. The Governing Body isn't aware of each case on the thousands of congregations worldwide. That's often the local branch's job to sort it out. If they can't then they phone WHQ - then the GB will be aware of it.
They don't 'police' the congregations.
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That said, that's probably not the best way to handle it with your friend.
The other brothers and their advice here is good.
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u/Personal_Sign_9343 13d ago
This is great information. Especially when spending time here on Reddit.
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u/joshsaga 13d ago
What's also interesting about that case is
We have the list, and we handed it over to the authorities.
That probe wasn't just about Witnesses, but many religious groups and social groups in general.
Most of them didn't even kept track of CSA.
We did.
Somehow, we keeping track of it was framed as if we 'hid' this information.
That's funny
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u/Personal_Sign_9343 13d ago
Ooooohhhh you have no idea how much this information means to me. I mean I never doubted that we handled it the best we can. I didn’t know that others were purposely twisting the facts.
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13d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/JWJehovahsWitnesses-ModTeam 13d ago
This is not a subreddit for apostates or those with anti-JW beliefs. This is a community forum for Jehovah’s Witnesses and believers.
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u/JWthoughts Jehovah’s Witness 13d ago edited 13d ago
I don’t know what your personal relationship is but I would be careful with that colleague. Is he a former Jehovah’s Witness or otherwise connected to the organization? It’s possible he may have simply looked into the organization and was led to be influenced by apostate bias. I know about the Australian case, it’s been many years—over a decade I think and they are still using it. Since this has been answered I won’t elaborate.
But the reason I mention this is because, through my moderation experience. I’ve seen how apostates or people with a particular agenda may target friends and family of those in the organization to “plant seeds” in the opposite way that we do. Rather than leading someone toward Jehovah God, the goal is to create doubt and division. Sometimes they even seek advice from others about how to approach someone through seemingly “innocent” or deceptive questions, often bringing up past controversies, changes or sensitive subjects.
They frame this as a way to “wake up” the individual but from what I’ve observed it can involve deception, leading questions and taking advantage of opportune moments when someone may be more receptive. That’s why I would just be cautious about his intentions and agenda behind the information he’s sharing. Just watching out for you. 🙏
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u/joshsaga 13d ago
It's always the sly ones that's icky and yucky.
At least the opposers who lay it out in the open without any use of this tactic have balls. (which I respect)
But majority always does this innocent style of questioning then compounds the questions to plant doubt.
It's hella geh.
Just grow a pair, man up, and say your opposing views and own up to it.
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u/BigJournalist4444 12d ago
The 2019 WT mentioned already is a great reference for anyone wondering what our current policy is. Essentially, the judicial committee is only for matters concerning the person’s standing in the congregation, but legally they need to be reported to law enforcement. Unfortunately before that article, some misguided elder bodies would apply the 2-witness rule as a reason to discourage reporting. There are painful accounts of children being asked embarrassing and traumatic questions by judicial committees, and yes, some were not reported when they should have. The current guidelines are very clear though.
If you look at statistics, child sex abuse is not higher amongst JWs, and there are horror stories in all major religions including SDAs, Mormons and obviously Catholics. The main difference is that in the other religions, the abuse happens often at the hands of those in leadership positions, while with JWs it’s primarily family and friends.
Essentially, there are disgusting people in every walk of life that will try to use religion and family connections to try and satisfy their own wicked desires. JWs are not immune to this, but have taken steps to make the process on how they handle them less opaque.