5 more charged in probe of child sexual abuse among Jehovah's Witnesses in Pa.

[FakeNoose]

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2023/07/07/jehovahs-witnesses-pensnylvania-grand-jury-charges-michelle-henry/stories/202307070085

PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania grand jury investigating child sexual abuse in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community has charged another five people with raping or molesting children as young as 4, the latest developments in an ongoing probe that has identified 14 suspects.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, at a Friday news conference, said that while the misconduct dates back years or even decades, “the trauma endures for these victims.” Ms. Henry did not address the church’s handling of complaints, but said the investigation would continue.

Critics say that Jehovah's Witnesses elders have treated child sexual abuse as a sin rather than a crime, documenting complaints in internal files but not reporting them to authorities. And they say the church often required a second witness to substantiate a complaint, a standard that can be impossible to meet when perpetrators often isolate their victims.

- snip -

The grand jury probe of Jehovah’s Witnesses began with a referral from a county prosecutor who felt the state should take a broader look at the issue. Dozens of witnesses then testified before the secret grand jury in Harrisburg or provided information to the attorney general’s office.

In the charges announced Friday, Ms. Henry said the men had groomed or gained access to the children through the church, sometimes when the child’s family took the person into their home. One person said that she was raped 50 or more times between the ages of 7 and 12 by a church member who was 18 when the assaults began. Others involved less serious charges of inappropriate touching.

- more at link -

The 5 men are all named in in Post-Gazette story and 4 of the 5 have been taken into custody. This is part of the investigation specifically into the Jehovah's Witnesses community. I find it interesting that there are parallels with the sexual abuse by Catholic priests (in Pennsylvania) that was investigated 5 or 6 years ago. The grand jury is ongoing, so more names may still come out at a later date.

[Ocelot II]

1. How odd; they don't *look* like drag queens...

[Alexander Of Assyria]

2. No...more...tax exempt status! Religion has shattered its contract with morality and democracy.

It’s a sin and a criminal act. Most sins are if the sin can’t be taxed.

Now religion is after democracy itself. Time to bring in the cleaners.

[jimfields33]

4. No more tax exemptions for any nonprofit. Nobody should get a break at all.

It’s gross how many organizations and businesses don’t pay taxes. If we want to make changes, we need to start taxing those who have never paid taxes in the past.

[druidity33]

5. Yeah, No.

That's incredibly shortsighted. My wife works for a non-profit that does amazing work. As do tens maybe hundreds of thousands of people here in the US. I don't think religious organizations should receive that designation. But that's a whole 'nother ballgame.

[jimfields33]

6. It won't go that way. Once you start taking back tax exemption, it will

eventually go to all those who get them. Just nature of the beast.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

7. Non profits are being used as giant democracy killing loopholes. Modest rates based on income like

everyone else seems fair price to pay to save democracy.

And huge bonus…reveal the dark money!

[Goonch]

3. 👇👇👇👁️👁️