Jehovah's Witnesses asking woman to pay legal costs in sexual abuse lawsuit

by ignored_one 124 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  ignored_one

  http://canadaeast.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030723/CPN/20587021&cachetime=15
  
  
  

  Jehovah's Witnesses asking woman to pay legal costs in sexual abuse lawsuit

  
  
  
  TORONTO (CP) - A woman who received $5,000 in damages after accusing the Canadian wing of the Jehovah's Witnesses of negligence over their handling of allegations of sexual abuse is being asked to pay for part of the religious group's legal costs in the case.
  
  
  Vicki Boer, 32, who says she suffered sexual assaults between ages 11 and 14, sought $700,000 from the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Canada and three of its elders in a 1998 civil suit that claimed they were negligent and breached their duty.
  
  
  A judge awarded her $5,000 in June, but no criminal charges were ever laid in the assault allegations.
  
  
  "It's really a slap in the face for them to think that I should be paying for costs," Boer said in an interview Wednesday from Fredericton.
  
  
  "I paid for the abuse, I paid for everything happening, and now they still want me to pay again."
  
  
  She had previously asked Watch Tower to cover her legal costs, which she estimated Wednesday as $90,000.
  
  
  Colin Stevenson, the lawyer representing Watch Tower, confirmed Wednesday that the religious group is asking Boer to pay part of its legal costs, but he could not state the amount.
  
  
  Stevenson said Watch Tower is not being vindictive.
  
  
  "Watch Tower is not on any vendetta to try to collect costs from Vicki Boer," Stevenson said.
  
  
  In the civil suit, Boer claimed that rather than immediately notify the Children's Aid Society, elders told her not to seek outside help or report the alleged abuse. She also said they made her confront her father to allow him to repent his sins in accordance with biblical principles.
  
  
  But Justice Anne Molloy ruled that while Boer was certainly put through a traumatic experience, the church was ultimately not responsible for all of her pain and suffering.
  
  
  Molloy cleared the three elders of wrongdoing, but ruled that the church pay Boer $5,000 because one of its elders - who was not named in the suit - talked her into the confrontation with her father, which was an inaccurate application of their faith.
  
  
  Molloy ruled the church never told Boer not to seek medical help, nor was she told the alleged abuse should not have been reported.
  
  
  While victims of sexual abuse normally aren't identified in public, Boer agreed to allow her name to be publicized as part of her effort to promote what she has alleged was abuse within the confines of the church's congregations.
  
  
  

  Ignored One
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  William Penwell

  They have some nerve after what they put victims of sexual abuse through. I suppose also they will want to declare it as tax exempt to. The dirty, lying, scum bags.

  Will
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  expatbrit

  B******s, they really sneaked this in on the sly. I was at the hearing last week and Stevenson made no mention of claiming costs during the proceedings in the courtroom. Now they come up with this bulls**t in the submissions.

  Not vindictive my ass! What they're trying to do is make a point to any other victims that suing is going to ruin them financially. Keep victims of abuse silent still, that's the WT's objective.

  Play your games Watchtower. This wont go away. Your precious pure religion is going to be s**t before this is finished.

  Expatbrit
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  acsot

  This is absolutely awful! I am so sick to think I used to blindly support this foul organization - there are no depths to which they won't stoop!
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  William Penwell

  Am I being ignorant here but how can the WT ask for legal costs when they lost?? Anyway you are right what a bunch of B******. Like someone else said on here before, die watchtower, die.
  

  Its like years ago the WT blood committee fought for my ex brother in law's child that was going to have surgery, After that they had the gull to give him the bill for legal costs when it was his, my brother in law's child's life, that was on the line.

  Will
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  sf

  Nothing....surprises me much anymore.

  Vicki,

  Is there anything you want me to convey to Jaracz tomorrow?

  Let me know.

  sKally
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  Nathan Natas

  The court's response to this request will make clear who won the case.
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  sunshineToo

  This is so upseting.

  Molloy ruled the church never told Boer not to seek medical help, nor was she told the alleged abuse should not have been reported.

  Does this mean that the judge thought Vicki was lying?

  {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Vicki}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
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  William Penwell

  No just that she must not have had evidence that the WT told her that directly. It was more in likely all done verbally by the local elders, so she had no proof they actually said that. Typical of the dubs, never put anything in writing so they can deny it afterwards. The WT is nothing but a slimy, corporate, publishing company under the guise of a religion.

  Will
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  arancia

  This case is one of many .It make my heart bleeding, Years ago,my grandchild had too a very sad experience. The congregation got informed,nothing seemd to follow up.The police got informed and my daughter because of that she got disfellowshiped. We all know of what of sort of people they are .LIARS. They will end up just like all the other organisation in the world that proclaim to be God's own people.God is the God of love and justice,they will never escape from his justice.ALL THE SHAME WILL EVENTUALLY EXPOSE,as we can from now clearly see. shame on them shame.