Campaigner’s ‘grave concerns’ over new directives for Jehovah’s Witnesses
Steven Rose
06:00 Monday 15 August 2016
A former Hartlepool Jehovah’s Witness who campaigns for tougher child protection policies of the church says he has “grave concerns” about updated directives to elders.
Steve Rose says the new instructions to local leaders on dealing with allegations of child abuse features some improvements but believes they do not go far enough.
Mr Rose, 52, who used to be a member of Hartlepool’s Kingdom Hall in Ashgrove Avenue, believes the guidance could put child victims at risk.
He said: “All child abuse that is reported to the elders must be reported to the service department of Jehovah’s Witnesses and not the secular authorities (police).
“This puts the child in danger because the elders are not qualified to handle such delicate matters.”