Posted on 09/28/2018 6:09:40 PM PDT by NRx
HELENA, Mont. — The Jehovah's Witnesses must pay $35 million to a woman who says the church's national organization ordered Montana clergy members not to report her sexual abuse as a child at the hands of a congregation member, a jury ruled in a verdict.
A judge must review the penalty, and the Jehovah's Witnesses' national organization — Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York — plans to appeal.
Still, the 21-year-old woman's attorneys said Wednesday's verdict sends a message to the church to report child abuse to outside authorities.
"Hopefully that message is loud enough that this will cause the organization to change its priorities in a way that they will begin prioritizing the safety of children so that other children aren't abused in the future," said attorney Neil Smith Thursday.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
That amount will triple the amount of door knockers.
Q. What do you get when you cross a Jehovah’s Witness with a Unitarian Universalist?
A. Someone who will knock on your door, but can’t tell you why.
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Next up, Catholic church.
They should be liable but $35M seems way too high. I don’t know the details but it wasn’t an employee. In such situations they also stand to be sued by the member for a false allegation. Sort of a no win.
Jehovah’s Witnesses ordered by jury to pay $35M to abuse survivor
“Hopefully that message is loud enough that this will cause the organization to change its priorities in a way that they will begin prioritizing the safety of children so that other children aren’t abused in the future,” said attorney Neil Smith Thursday.
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