8/13/19 -- This Newsweek article reviews the lawsuits filed by The Zalkin Law Firm, LLP on behalf of two victims of childhood sexual abuse while they were in the Jehovah's Witnesses. The article highlights the stories of Heather Steele, 48, and John Michael Ewing, 48, who were abused as children in the Jehovah's Witness religion.
Their attorney, Irwin Zalkin, has represented 24 former or current Jehovah's Witnesses in sexual abuse lawsuits, plus about 10 more survivors who settled out of court. In most of these cases, the victims' accusations were brought to congregation elders, who either dismissed them or disciplined the perpetrator privately. Nothing was reported to law enforcement and the predators often moved congregations and abused other children.
This comprehensive article highlights how the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses Newsweek have continually resisted court orders to reveal the extent of abuse in the religion.