Press Release: Jehovah Witnesses and abuse. An aspect unknown in Spanish society. (#AbusosTJ)

by sp74bb 13 Replies latest watchtower scandals

  • sp74bb
    sp74bb

    PRESS RELEASE, Colectivo #AbusosTJ

    Barcelona, Nov. 24, 2016

    Jehovah Witnesses and abuse. An aspect unknown in Spanish society.

    Victims of alleged sexual abuse and other offenses speak out loud and clear.

    The faith "Jehovah's Christian Witnesses" is relatively unknown to Spanish society, except for the typical home visits to talk about God or to hand out magazines and propaganda pamphlets about the cult they exhibit in the streets in more than one Spanish town.

    A group of dozens of citizens, some of us who are still active in this faith, have united to give a voice to a situation totally anomalous in Spanish society.

    Recently, various media sources have reported recent and older cases of child abuse, harassment, bullying, parallel justice and "asocial" attitudes tolerated by this faith.

    Among these are:

    Miguel Garcia, Badalona: sexual abuse, harassment, bullying, parallel justice.
    Noelia Piris, Montcada i Reixac: sexual abuse, harassment, bullying, parallel justice. Israel Flórez, Toledo: sexual abuse, harassment, bullying.
    Juan Bourgon, Santander: harassment, bullying, parallel trial by media.
    Sarah March, Salamanca: harassment, parallel justice, homophobia, asocial attitudes.

    Our group includes different people who have brought lawsuits and filed complaints before the Civil Guard, National Police and Mossos d’Esquadra. We will not remain silent; we want reparation and justice. We will continue to publicize more cases and help those who dare to speak out discreetly and respectfully.

    This is not a war against Jehovah Witnesses. On the contrary, our struggle as a group is that, in 2016, anyone is free to believe, and by extension, also change their religious views and ideology without fear or coercion of any kind.

    We will especially fight to change the methodology and child abuse in this faith. We do not understand why someone does not notify authorities when they know about a case of abuse. Our children's health and lives are in danger.

    Finally, we will fight to ensure that there is only one legal system in Spain. In 2016, it is astonishing that "courts of honor" still exist where cases are tried weekly, along with other criminal offenses, with no guarantee of justice and are not reported to the authorities.


    Contact us for more information: Colectivo #AbusosTJ

    Mobile: +34625216469 (from 6pm)

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/abusostj

    Email: [email protected] (immediate response)

    Twitter: @abusostj

  • Brokeback Watchtower
    Brokeback Watchtower

    Wishing you good luck!

    This is not a war against Jehovah Witnesses. On the contrary, our struggle as a group is that, in 2016, anyone is free to believe, and by extension, also change their religious views and ideology without fear or coercion of any kind.

    I would love to see that happen in one country after another it would put these guys out of business of praying on the poor gullible.

  • sparrowdown
    sparrowdown

    Ditto what Brokeback said.

  • Vidiot
    Vidiot
    "...We do not understand why someone does not notify authorities when they know about a case of abuse..."

    Because it undermines their claim of being a "spiritual paradise".

    Because they don't want to give "Satan's World" any ammunition against them.

    Because if it were reported, further investigation might reveal how institutionalized and endemic the problem is.

  • sir82
    sir82

    How much traction is this series of articles getting in Spain?

    I.e., does the "average guy in the street" talk about it? Care about it? When JWs go door to door, do people bring this topic up?

  • Vidiot
    Vidiot
    sir82 - "...When JWs go door to door, do people bring this topic up?"

    If you want 'em to, then link, "like", and hashtag the shit out of it.

  • Hecce
    Hecce

    Sir 82

    Today, one of Spain major newspapers includes in page 1 an extensive article about the JW, child abuse and committees. this is a major accomplishment. Here are the links to the newspaper and to the forum with more information in Spanish.

    http://politica.elpais.com/politica/...10_010669.html

    https://abusostj.vbulletin.net/forum/noticias-sobre-testigos-de-jehov%C3%A1/3052-el-pa%C3%ADs-la-justicia-paralela-de-los-tj

    Hugue victory for the guys fighting in Spain.

  • Hecce
    Hecce

    They even published this full letter:

  • Hecce
    Hecce

    El País (About this sound listen (help·info); literally The Country) is the highest-circulation daily newspaper in Spain and one of three Madrid dailies considered to be national newspapers of record for Spain (along with El Mundoand ABC).[2] El País, based in Madrid, is owned by the Spanish media conglomerate PRISA.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Pa%C3%ADs

    The latest info at the Spanish forum is that the elders are receiving electronically instructions from the COs to go out and buy from the stands all the copies of this newspaper edition. One of the friends commented that this might result in the publishing of a second edition.



  • blondie
    blondie

    Of course, other religions are not innocent when it comes to abuse of children in its religious ranks and hiding it, i.e., the Catholic Church. The best way to deal with child abuse is to strengthen the laws, get rid of the clergy-penitent screen that many religions hide behind reporting. Since jws are not a big part of religious numbers, going after the WTS is not enough.

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