Star Spangled Staggers

US politics from outside the beltway

Secrets and lies have no place when dealing with child abuse

Jehovah's Witnesses in the US ordered to pay $28m to abuse victim in landmark ruling

By Caroline Crampton Published 18 June 2012 12:08

Jehovah's Witnesses sing at a ceremony in France. Photograph: Getty Images

A legal landmark has been passed in the US, and not the good kind – the largest-ever jury verdict for a single victim in a religious child abuse case was handed down in California. Candace Conti, who was molested when she was nine and ten years old by a fellow member of the North Fremont Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, received $28 million in damages.

Recognition and reparation for such a horrible experience is surely a good thing, right? In part that is true – Conti has chosen to make her story public in the hope that “something good can come out of it”, she says. However, the case wasn’t just about Conti’s own experience, terrible as that undoubtedly was.

A substantial part of her allegations dealt with claims that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York (the organisation that oversees the Jehovah’s Witnesses) had adopted a policy in 1989 that instructed congregation leaders to keep child abuse allegations secret. This meant that when Conti's abuser from the 1990s, Jonathan Kendrick, was convicted in 2004 of molesting another girl, the elders at the North Fremont Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses did nothing to prevent him coming into contact with other kids at the church.

The sheer scale of the damages awarded to Conti reflect the gravity of this situation. While Kendrick has been ordered topay 60 per cent of the $7 million compensatory damages, the Watchtower Society must cover the remaining 40 per cent of the compensatory damages and all of the $21 million punitive damages.

Over and over again, we’ve had stories of Catholic bishops and other office-holders in the Roman Catholic church refraining from reporting allegations of abuse to civil authorities. Now, this unfortunate legal landmark demonstrates that this behaviour has occurred in at least one other religious institution, and that it won’t go unpunished when it is exposed.

Jim McCabe, a lawyer for the Jehovah’s Witness congregation, said that they plan to appeal the decision, contending that Kendrick was just a member of the North Fremont congregation, not a leader or pastor. He said: “This is a tragic case where a member of a religious group has brought liability on the group for actions he alone may have taken.”

Had the secrecy around Kendrick’s 2004 conviction not been put in place, that might have been a semi-valid point – demonising a whole faith and community because of individual incidents is absolutely not what this is about. That said, it’s the idea that a church-wide policy enforced the silence that is so disturbing. Traumatic as this case will certainly have been for many involved, part of me can’t help hoping that it sets a precedent and we see many more like it come to light, until every institution, religious or otherwise, understands that hiding things like this is much, much worse than exposing them – for everyone.

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50 comments

Sun, 2012-07-08 18:11 — ThorsteinGreville

The guy has huge problems. BEWARE! He is d@ngerous! If you do not believe me, look into it. Most former JW want nothing to do with him and have barred him from their websites...! Ask around. Too bad this website will allow him to slander people but will not allow the truth about him to be posted. http://www.squidoo.com/best-color-laser-printer-reviews

Sat, 2012-06-23 01:41 — Michael A (not verified)

There is a lot of hate here. Salvation is an individual not a group thing, JWs are not a crowd of mindless individuals.If the WT Society has to pay by law then it will.These things should not be allowed to go unpunished and they won't,if the law doesn't then God will in his own time. Gina Al quoted Numbers 32:23 and I can add Hebrews 26-31 to that. We should remember though that God can grant forgiveness to truly repentant persons, and yes I am a very ordinary member of a small congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and responsible for my own actions.

Tue, 2012-06-19 21:30 — Soloman Issac (not verified)

WHO IS THE PEDOPHILE AT YOUR DOOR?

Please examine the Jehovah Witnesses who go door to door and come on our property.
It has also been shown that child molesters within the organization usually have not been identified to the congregation members or the public at large.
These people engage in a door to door ministry, possibly exposing children to pedophiles.
*Help today is only a mouse click away*- http://www.silentlambs.org

Tue, 2012-06-19 21:41 — Soloman Issac (not verified)

SHOCKING this Jehovah's Witnesses rapist used door to door selling Watchtower pamphlets as a cover for rape of a minor.

http://www.kentuckylaketimes.com/global/11-09-06/index.php

Tue, 2012-06-19 19:10 — Pay attention people (not verified)

RE:Danny, what can one say about a guy who attacks elderly women and then posts it online...

Tue, 2012-06-19 19:36 — Grandma Smith (not verified)

Danny Haszard keep up the good work exposing the Watchtower.

Jehovah's Witnesses trolls attack dissidents like Scientology.Danny Haszard has thousands of friends.

Tue, 2012-06-19 21:16 — Pay attention people (not verified)

Yeah, too bad they are all his multiple personalities...

Tue, 2012-06-19 19:19 — Pay attention people (not verified)

The video of course. I mean the video. Yes, he was very proud of it. He will make someone pay for his dissatisfaction in life, and clearly it does not matter who... This is one of the reasons former JWs will have nothing to do with him. You may have left the KH, but does that mean it is okay for this guy to beat up your grandma?

Tue, 2012-06-19 19:08 — Pay attention people (not verified)

Anyone who follows D Hasz regardless of belief is asking for trouble. The guy has huge problems. BEWARE! He is d@ngerous! If you do not believe me, look into it. Most former JW want nothing to do with him and have barred him from their websites...! Ask around. Too bad this website will allow him to slander people but will not allow the truth about him to be posted... Consider this post sanitized!

Tue, 2012-06-19 19:39 — Grandma Smith (not verified)

Danny Haszard website is http://www.dannyhaszard.com

Danny has a fabulous cult videos media page.

Handsome guy too!

Wed, 2012-06-20 15:33 — XHitmanX (not verified)

granny, you old cougar, you......

Tue, 2012-06-19 14:02 — Amelia (not verified)

I only woke up to the lies of The Watchtower Society 2 years ago. Every corrupt elder I excused as "imperfect men" as that is what the WT instructs us to do. Blind obedience to 7 men in Brooklyn and anything that was not right was met with a "wait on Jehovah" and Armagedon is soooooon" attitude, which I did, for over 30 years. My then 2 year old would never start school that is how soon the tribulation was. She is now in her 30s and made me a grandmother, twice! Don't go to university it's not necessary as The New System will be here. It's just around the corner so you won't need a pension. The generation alive in 1914 will still be alive when the end comes. Nope, they are all dead! God keeps his congregation clean! More lies, but now a court of law has exposed them. Elders are instructed to hide the identity of known child moslesters so as to enforce the ideology of Jehovah's Witnesses being the only people on earth who are to survive armageddon as they are "spotless from the world" and "Gods Chosen Ones"! They sacrificed their children on the altar of the "no blood" doctrine and destroy families with their shunning policies. Well done Candace and well done the Judge and Jury who did not allow WTB&TS's weasel words and duplicitousness deceive them. Unfortunately those still trapped within this insidious cult will never be aware of this landmark case.

Tue, 2012-06-19 13:43 — Dark Thalia (not verified)

The Jehovah's Witnesses view even this crime as sin and offer absolution and protection for the sinners, in fact, to show repentance child molesters are instructed to heed the command to preach door to door. How do you feel knowing that pedophiles are knocking on your doors, doors that will be opened by your children?

There is NO absolution for child molestation provided by secular law, this is yet another reason why we must have separation of church and state...IMO. The Jehovah's Witnesses along with many other "fundamentalist" Christian groups violate their Ecclesiastical rights by adjudicating criminal cases within their Kingdom Halls and churches. Fundamentalist Christians are are taught that it is ok to lie about that for "righteousness" sake.

I hope we see an end to the damaging policies of The Watchtower Society and other groups that protect the criminals and silence the victims.

Child molestation is a heinous crime. The victims deserve justice.

Tue, 2012-06-19 13:43 — Dark Thalia (not verified)

I hope we see an end to the damaging policies of The Watchtower Society and other groups that protect the criminals and silence the victims.

Child molestation is a heinous crime. The victims deserve justice.

Tue, 2012-06-19 13:43 — Dark Thalia (not verified)

I hope we see an end to the damaging policies of The Watchtower Society and other groups that protect the criminals and silence the victims.

Child molestation is a heinous crime. The victims deserve justice.

Tue, 2012-06-19 13:06 — Julie leon (not verified)

Any Jehovah's Witness Elder knows about the enormous amount of secrecy and cover up in the congregations. Physical molestation is a horrible thing, committed by an individual. The Watchtower Corporation has covered up these abuses for years. Many JWs have a feeling that they may have been molested. Contributing to these feelings are the Horrible secret meetings with the Elders. Even teens are subjected to emotionally abusive interrogation in these secret meetings. The worst of sexual questioning is applied in order to humiliate the victim. If the victim is not fully compliant and humble during the meeting , the Elders have the power to destroy their life.
Some have committed suicide after the meetings.
The worst part is that these meetings are sanctioned and directed by The Watchtower Bible and Tract Corporation!. Severe Emotional Abuse at the hands of Big Business! It's got to be stopped! Please research this topic and voice your opinion.

Tue, 2012-06-19 11:02 — Jojo20122012 (not verified)

Here is an extract from a letter written by the WT in Brooklyn regarding this very case dated Dec 3rd 1993! Yes-Way back then.
It reads
“on page 92 of the kingdom ministry school text book it states uncleanliness includes an intentional momentary touching of the sexual parts or caressing of breasts. Such minor uncleanliness can be handled at the discretion of an elder or two, it does not require a judicial hearing”

Elders counsel? Trained in dealing with paedophiles are they? No. Did it work-this counsel? No obviously not. Obviously. Damaging foolish self-appointed/inflated idiocy.

This type of shoddy and dangerous standard of care for children is indefensible. JW or non JW, exJW or whatever. Who cares?
Wake up and stop pacifying the bully, stop siding with the aggressor, lest one day you find yourself a victim too.

Tue, 2012-06-19 09:53 — kris karlsson (not verified)

I grew up a jehovah's Witness' and can't really express the relief this verdict gives. of course we should all have the right to believe whatever we want, but that an organisation that has about 7 million members have been covering up abuse like this is just vile.
obviously she is not the only one this has happened to.
just have a peek at www.silentlambs.org.
it is not a secret when growing up in jehovah's witness' that it's not a democratic religion. women and children simply do not have any proper rights, and I myself remember cases of women and children that were victims of domestic violence. the elders spoke with the father and husband and that was it. lid on!

Tue, 2012-06-19 05:52 — DannyHaszard

Jehovah's Witness religion is known as the "pedophiles paradise" FOR A REASON.

The Jehovah's Witnesses religion requires TWO WITNESSES to a crime before they will consider it to have happened. How often are there two witnesses of an act of pedophilia? Not only this, but Jehovah's Witnesses generally speaking trust other members COMPLETELY despite knowing nothing about one anothers past - it is enough that you are "one of Jehovah's Witnesses".

Finally, the leaders of this religion care about only one thing in instances of child molestation, and that is maintaining the white-washed appearance of the religion. For this reason, every prior settlement with victims of child abuse have required the victim to sign a gag order as documented by NBC.

Jehovah's Witness parents, please protect your children.
--
Danny Haszard *tell the truth don't be afraid* FMI http://www.dannyhaszard.com/sexabuse/index.htm

Tue, 2012-06-19 04:39 — Eddie Lindyhopper (not verified)

I remember seeing a documentary a few years ago on terrestrial TV here in England (It might have been Panorama). I do remember it being late, say 10 p.m. due to the nature of the content. The programme asserted that JW had its own internal register of those reported internally of child abuse. From memory, that figure was a shocking 22,000. The JW leaders keep the register secret from authorities. The even more shocking part of the programme I remember was that the JW internal governance stated that a report of child abuse was not to be regarded as bona fide unless the child making a complaint had a witness to back up the complaint. What paedo is going to ensure there are witnesses to the crime. I'm afraid the JW hierarchy are no better than the Catholic Church.

Tue, 2012-06-19 22:59 — Sizemik (not verified)

The JW heirarchy are much worse than the Catholics. They've had the Catholic example as a warning . . . and severely vilified the Catholic church for it in their literature. All the while hiding their own pervasive rottenness in 25,000 secret files at their NY headquarters. Any who affiliate themselves to such a Religion are a sharer in child molestation by their own Biblical standards (Rev 18;4) Scum of the earth.

Tue, 2012-06-19 09:54 — Jojo20122012 (not verified)

It was Panorama's 'Suffer the Little Children' part one only, follow links on youtube for remaining parts. http://youtu.be/hzWupVczfCQ

Tue, 2012-06-19 09:51 — Jojo2012 (not verified)

Panorama 'Suffer the Little Children' http://youtu.be/hzWupVczfCQ pt 1 only- follow links for other parts.

Tue, 2012-06-19 03:34 — Mikety T (not verified)

This perosn was not in a leadership role. The molestion that he was charged with that the congregation knew about was not the 2004 event, It was a MISTERMEANOR Offense. Which if you read CAlifornia law could have been as simple as a huge that someone thought was too long . It would not have included touching of body parts. If you walk in a mall and bump up against a minors breast by accident and make a statement to anyone about it you could be convicted of a misdemeanor child . How is any church or workplace as they are held to the same standards supposed to let everyone know what laws someone that works or attends that church has commited. This has FAR reaching effects on every Religion. And why was he never charged buy the girl or her parents until 15 years later. The laws of The USA in the 90'Swould not have allowed a church to publiccly make any announcement about a member. If they had they would have been rightfully sued by that member.

Tue, 2012-06-19 23:07 — Sizemik (not verified)

MISTERMEANOR . . . ??? That was deliberate right? Do you know what Cognitive Dissonance is? Going by your spelling I doubt it. Read the case files first . . . but be warned, there are some big words in there.

Tue, 2012-06-19 12:42 — Hoobie (not verified)

The problem with that here, was the evidence. This man confessed to molesting his step daughter, not just a hug that lasted to long (way to try and downplay child molestation)

The evidence shows the WT knew, the legal department knew, the elders knew. If they would have taken it to the authorities, as they should, this young girl in the case, would NOT have been molested by this man. It was preventable.

They don't have the "spiritual confidentiality" privilege for sexual abuse. They tried for the same argument that the Catholic church tried. Didn't work for the Catholic Church, didn't work for the JW. This organization, from the top down, could have prevented this.
The WT, legal department, elders are totally responsible. The WT rolled the dice as it has always done. Keep it quiet, keep their organization "looking" clean, (who cares if it actually is) and if anyone sues, we will just pay them off with a settlement (millions in pay offs already) and slap them with a gag order, a non disclosure. Keep your mouth shut or lose the money.
This girl refused the money, she only asked the courts for $1,440.00, the jury found overwhelming evidence that this organization was responsible thru MALICE for this girls molestation.

Even the Rank and File, who blame this girl, without any idea of what is really going on here, make me sick.

Tue, 2012-06-19 03:29 — Gina Al (not verified)

The passage in Numbers 32:23 says:

"........you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out"

In every actions / decisions we do their is always a consequence.

seo experts academy

Tue, 2012-06-19 02:10 — Ken Perry (not verified)

If you read all of the facts, the pedophile was given a pass by the accuser because their entire intent was to punish The Jehovah's Witnesses because they followed the law of the land at that time. This makes news because such occurrences are relatively rare in this group due to their constant teaching against immorality of all kinds. Anyone who says they have a policy of protecting pedophiles is 'from their father The Devil' There is no truth in him or them.

Tue, 2012-06-19 13:28 — Joe Bazots (not verified)

I only WISH that this was a RARE occurrence. Try telling that to my daughter. Church elders knew about her molestation, yet they never called authorities or even told ME, her father, about this. Her abuser is now dead, but that organization has much to answer for. They claim to follow "Caesar's Law," but when it comes to abusers, they seem to not mind breaking the mandatory reporting laws. When I called the JW HQ, they told me that they had no intent of making those elders answer for breaking the "law of the land."

Tue, 2012-06-19 10:13 — Jojo20122012 (not verified)

I think you need to follow the facts.
You wrote “If you read all of the facts, the paedophile was given a pass by the accuser because their entire intent was to punish The Jehovah's Witnesses because they followed the law of the land at that time."
Their entire wish was to punish The Jehovah's Witnesses because they followed the law of the land at that time?? what??
The accusers "entire" wish was not to persecute the JW's. It was to reveal the truth of how this organisation deals incompetently and inadequately with paedophiles. And had done for years.
They most certainly did not follow the law of the land. That is what this is all about.. They follow their own distorted and damaging internal "laws"

Here is an extract from a letter written by the WT in Brooklyn regarding this very case dated Dec 3rd 1993! Yes-Way back then.
It says
“On page 92 of the kingdom ministry school text book it sates uncleanliness includes an intentional momentary touching of the sexual parts or caressing of breasts. Such minor uncleanliness can be handled at the discretion of an elder or two, it does not require a judicial hearing”

This is how this organisation deals with child abusers, with something called a kingdom ministry school text book! and with elders counsel?
Trained in dealing with paedophiles are they? No. Did it work-this counsel? No obviously not. Obviously.
Damaging foolish self-appointed/inflated idiocy.

Tue, 2012-06-19 07:06 — Janice Rolands (not verified)

Jehovah’s Witnesses split families, harbor pedophiles, have a history of refusing certain forms of medical treatment costing countless lives, and have the longest list by far of failed doomsday predictions. . . . it’s common knowledge, even among many JW’s themselves.

Are they harmful? . . . very!

Jesus did NOT preach door to door! Witnessess are not persecuted, no one cares about this little cult religion. The witnesses are persecuted only in their own mind! People just criticize them for their cult behavior and wrong teachings
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a cult of predatory psychopaths that will exaggerate,LIE and swear on the Bible.Their greedy Watchtower has NO public charity and ruin family life.

Tue, 2012-06-19 23:15 — Sizemik (not verified)

@Ken Perry . . . watch this space Ken. I can assure you this is the tip of an iceberg and the dam has burst. The reason you think it's rare is because of the secrecy. Brace yourself, this is going to be a bumpy ride. Or better still . . . educate yourself about what's really going on and get out. You'll save yourself a lot of time and heartache.

Tue, 2012-06-19 00:31 — DTrent (not verified)

Terrible thing, abuse is. There are some things missing in this story though.
1. Did the Conti parents know about this years ago?
2. If so, why did they not go to the police then?
3. This case has been appealed & there will be no 'pay out' from the WTBTS.

Tue, 2012-06-19 23:23 — Sizemik (not verified)

Jehovah's Witnesses have been found guilty of harbouring pedophiles . . . because that's what they do. Simple . . . get used to it. Your questions don't cast any doubt . . . they only reveal your bias and ignorance. The answers are already widely available. You won't find them in a Watchtower though . . . unless you substitute "Catholic" for "Jehovah's Witness". Your using the same defence for the same crime . . . funny that.

Tue, 2012-06-19 00:17 — Thinking Broader (not verified)

Truly sad that this happens to anyone, ever, my heart goes out to her. But these lawyers, who are we blaming here and why? Going after a group of people, be it religious, ethnic, sexual preference or otherwise, because of the actions of one of its members, is just plain wrong, it is prejudicial. Why not go after the ones who do such things.
Why not spend time in court getting stronger laws for the sex offenders, possibly making it physically impossible for them to molest again. Or at the very least require them to wear a bracelet or something so that ALL PEOPLE can identify them not just Jehovah's Witnesses.
Why not make it a national law that ANYONE who comes to know of these incidents must report them regardless who hears them, priests of any faith, psychiatrists, coaches, lawyers, anyone, no exceptions.
I know some of these people personally they are exceptionally law-abiding, if we make it a law they will abide by it. That way our entire society gets protected.

Mon, 2012-06-18 21:46 — DannyHaszard

Jehovah's Witness church is *apocalyptic* meaning they believe Armageddon ( the end of the world) is coming any moment to *fix* their internal crimes.
So they play down scandals like child abuse.
Involving serious issues of a moral or even criminal nature (as well as everyday matters like back-stabbing by fellow JWs) I would be told,"Danny just wait on Jehovah,any day we are going to be in the new system".
So,they let problems fester without dealing with them,this is what makes JW crimes unique to other groups.
--
Danny Haszard *tell the truth don't be afraid* FMI http://www.dannyhaszard.com/sexabuse/index.htm

Tue, 2012-06-19 03:37 — Mikety T (not verified)

Why is it you post the same comments everytime Jw is mentioned on the internet. You negatively down their religion without ever saying what you have found that is better? Also why dont you be honest and tell everyone why you hold a grudge because of them kicking you out.

Tue, 2012-06-19 06:33 — XHitmanX (not verified)

Mikety T

you are correct, poor Danny just spams and spams and spams. He has never stated what religion he is or what he thinks is the correct one. He never says anything about any religion but the JW's.

Tue, 2012-06-19 13:14 — Florence Rollins (not verified)

DANNY HASZARD IS A HERO he is like a Jewish Holocaust survivor who has turned Nazi hunter.

The Watchtower is evil and we are survivors of the Watchtower Jehovah's Witnesses holocaust.

There are TWICE as many EX-Jehovah's Witnesses as there are current member brainwashed sheepie.

Tue, 2012-06-19 02:52 — DDD (not verified)

Danny as usual your condemnation of a whole organization by the acts of one person(s) really sets the tone for your soapbox rhetoric. Is anybody listening to you?

Tue, 2012-06-19 12:01 — Lee John (not verified)

Yes, there are tens of thousands listening to Danny. You're probably not aware of it because the only literature you read comes from the Watchtower publishing company. You comment on this case, but do not acknowledge the crime committed. This is why Jehovah's Witnesses fail regards this awful subject.

The Publishing company is being and will be successfully sued because of the actions of one man (although according to their own database as revealed in the BBC documentary, there are about 22,000) was able to perpetuate his crime, because the laws and rules imposed by the Watchtower allowed him to do so.

Jehovah's Witnesses under control of seven old men in Brooklyn are more concerned with their "holier than everyone else" image than protecting children, all the time pointing their finger at other religions, especially Catholics.

Don't know what the relevance is of Danny's religious beliefs?

Some people don't need a 2000 year old book of redundant myths and magic for a moral compass.

Tue, 2012-06-19 12:00 — Lee John (not verified)

Don't know what the relevance is of Danny's religious beliefs?

Some people don't need a 2000 year old book of redundant myths and magic for a moral compass.

Tue, 2012-06-19 12:00 — Lee John (not verified)

Don't know what the relevance is of Danny's religious beliefs?

Some people don't need a 2000 year old book of redundant myths and magic for a moral compass.

Mon, 2012-06-18 21:06 — antisylphid (not verified)

'until every institution, religious or otherwise, understands that hiding things like this is much, much worse than exposing them – for everyone.'

Unfortunately they know that it's good for them to keep silent about it. It's about money.
1 x 28mln or 28000 x 1mln? Time takes its toll.

Mon, 2012-06-18 15:56 — J Mason Emerson (not verified)

Your article is clear and accurate including as to the amount of money Watchtower has to pay, that is most all of $28 million to Ms Conti. By the way, I'm told on good authority she's now under protection for her physical safety, and what a bad witness this is for what the top seven pedophile protectors (the Governing Body men) over the Watchtower call "Jehovah's organization on earth." May all decent JWs now quit the Watchtower organization and start fellowshipping in more Christian ways.

Mon, 2012-06-18 13:08 — Danny Haszard (not verified)

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have a policy within their religion that protects pedophiles.

The official policy is that the elders of the “Church” are supposed to handle the matter internally, without contacting the police. They do this so that shame will not be brought on the religion.

It’s important that they keep a squeaky clean image to the public. Remember they believe they are the only “True” religion and all other Christian Churches are under the control of Satan. JW’s are not supposed to sue other JW’s or involve the police or courts.

They believe these are Satan’s organizations and any crime by a JW should be dealt with internally.The elders will contact the police ONLY if they’re forced to by state law. Otherwise they are forced to follow official policy from headquarters. Some states require that “priests” or “pastors” report child abuse to the authorities. If they are not forced to report them than they cover it up.
You might actually get a unreported pedophile knocking on your door next time they show up peddling pamphlets and selling “Eternal Life".
--
Danny Haszard *tell the truth don't be afraid*

Tue, 2012-06-19 11:07 — Karen 123 (not verified)

This is true Danny. I know and was in the JWs for over 40 years (having been born into it) My Dad was an elder for over 40 years and then also my husband for 12 years. None of them are JWs now! I simply do not see the love of the Christ in what they do and could not carry on serving men! I had to be myself and show true love without any hypocrisy and have never felt better in my life!!! I do know of child abuse issues that have never been dealt with (as in police involvment) in the correct way. Yes everyone is imperfect and falls short but dont cover it up!!!

Mon, 2012-06-18 13:05 — Bender (not verified)

“This is a tragic case where a member of a religious group has brought liability on the group for actions he alone may have taken.”.... Are you kidding? This as a tragic case where a nine year old child was molested. Apparently Jehovah's Witness' care more about their reputation than human rights.