Nationwide Sexual Abuse Lawyer

For members of a close-knit religious organization, reporting a crime is often not only difficult - but downright impossible. This is no different than when considering the members of the Jehovah's Witnesses. In this religious group, like many others, the members form a detached and isolated group, essentially cutting the victims off from the outside world should abuse occur.

Sexual Abuse Within the Jehovah's Witnesses

Due to church policy, sexual abuse is often ignored, and should an allegation be made, it is often either covered up or decried as unfounded. The Jehovah's Witnesses practice what is known as a "two witness" rule - which is allegedly used to help work against the possibility of a false accusation. This rule is said to be based off the group's interpretation of Deuteronomy 19:15 and 1 Timothy 5:19; it requires that an accusation of sexual abuse to be backed by at least two witnesses. One of the witnesses may be from DNA or other scientific evidence.

If there is only one witness, however, the accused is to be placed under careful monitoring. They also might lose some of their privileges; however, no other steps are taken. Due to such policies as this, there have been many accusations over the years that the group has taken place into an elaborate cover-up of all sexual predators. By mainly dealing with the accusations internally, they rarely turn over a sexual offender to law enforcement. This not only leaves victims vulnerable - it leaves the offender unpunished and essentially free to abuse again.

Defending Victims of Sexual Abuse in CA and NY

At the Zalkin Law Firm, they understand the difficulty in accusing a member of the church of sexual abuse. Many leaders have been accused of not only covering up accusations of molestation, but actively working against the possibility of an allegation. Due to the strict terms upon which an accusation can be made, many victims are threatened with the possibility of being accused of "bearing false witness." As this is viewed as a moral sin, many victims are afraid to raise their voice.

If you have been abused, they encourage you to step forward. They know how frightening it can be to make a stand, but you do not deserve to suffer in silence. By contacting a sexual abuse lawyer from their firm, you are not only taking a step towards defending your legal rights, you are also working at stopping the possibility of your abuser from hurting another victim in the future. So don't wait. Contact the firm today and let them help you to protect your legal rights.

To learn more about how they can help in a case involving sexual abuse by a Jehovah's Witness, please feel free to contact a nationwide sexual abuse attorney from the firm as soon as possible.