http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010807/cgtu052_2.html
Tuesday August 7, 6:11 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
Two Women Sue Jehovah's Witnesses Over Sexual Abuse
Charge That National Church Policies "Protect" Predators
New York Headquarters, Local Congregation and Convicted Molester Named As Defendants
MANCHESTER, N.H., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The official policies and practices of the Jehovah's Witnesses church violate New Hampshire's mandatory child abuse reporting laws and led to the sexual molestation of at least two girls, according to a civil lawsuit to be filed tomorrow in Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester NH.
Holly and Heather Berry allege that their father sexually abused them for six years in the 1980s when they were between three and ten years old. Their mother, a devout Jehovah's Witness, brought her suspicions/concerns about the molestation to three church leaders, but was told to ``pray more about the situation'' and ``become a better wife,'' according to the lawsuit. No church official contacted state authorities about the allegation, in violation of New Hampshire's requirement that law enforcement agencies be notified of suspected child abuse.
Defendants in the litigation include the denomination itself (officially known as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.), a local church (the Wilton Congregation in Wilton, NH), and the girls' father, Paul Berry, who was convicted of sexual abuse in October of last year and is currently serving a 56-year sentence at the Northern Correctional Facility in Berlin, NH.
``No organization, not even a religious one, is above the law,'' said David Clohessy of St. Louis, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a national support group. ``This is a potentially far-reaching case. Simply put, the question is whether society must tolerate so-called 'religious practices' that enable molesters to hurt kids, hamstring police, and violate our most sacred laws.''
``Like teachers, social workers and others in leadership positions, church figures must protect kids and help police stop predators,'' Clohessy maintained.
According to the lawsuit, official Jehovah's Witness ``policies and practices'' require that any accusations against church members be reported to church leaders, not civil authorities. In child abuse allegations, those policies also require two eyewitnesses. Yet, church elders ``have no experience or training in child abuse investigations,'' the suit contends. As a result, the suit alleges that Jehovah Witness leaders ``failed to take reasonable steps'' to protect the Berrys and other youngsters.
The suit blasts the denomination for its alleged ``minimizing, defending and tolerating abuse by (Jehovah's Witnesses)'' and claims that Witnesses accused of molestation ``are routinely given sanctuary, protection, sympathy and support from the organization.'' Church leaders and members, for example, spoke in support of Paul Berry at his criminal sentencing hearing.
In addition to ``failure to report suspected child abuse,'' the defendants are also charged with deceit, battery, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages.
Three elders of the Wilton congregation, Bob Ward, Jim Hilton and Robert Michalowski, are mentioned in the legal complaint. Sarah Poisson, the Berry girls' mother, allegedly talked several times with the men, explaining her fears about her husband's abusive behavior. ``None of the elders reported the suspected abuse...to any designated authority,'' claims the lawsuit.
The Berry sisters ``continue to suffer extreme, permanent emotional distress and psychological harm with accompanying physical manifestations,'' their attorneys say. Because they felt ``shame, guilt, and depression'' and doubted whether they would be believed, the two were ``unable or unwilling'' to report their abuse sooner, according to the lawsuit.
Holly Berry, now 22, is a student in Berkeley, CA and Heather Berry, now 18, lives in Charlestown, NH.
Attorneys Janine Gawryl of Nashua, N.H. and Jeffrey Anderson of St. Paul, Minn., represent the sisters. Anderson has handled more than 400 cases of abuse by religious figures across the countries.
While virtually every faith group has experienced similar abuse litigation, this is believed to be one of only a handful against the Jehovah's Witnesses.
A support group for men and women victimized by Jehovah's Witness members and leaders is being formed and can be reached at silentlambs, inc, PO Box 311, Calvert City, Kentucky 42029 (Telephone: 270-527-5350 or 270-559-5345).
SOURCE: Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests