We are urging the FBI Crimes Against Children Unit and the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a federal investigation into the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York and all affiliated corporations overseeing Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.

Why This Investigation Is Urgently Needed
Jehovah's Witnesses have over 119,000 congregations worldwide and 9 million members. In the U.S., there are 1.25 million members and 11,858 congregations, with their World Headquarters in Warwick, NY. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, along with other affiliated entities, dictate doctrine and organizational policies to congregations globally.

Despite publicly condemning other religious groups for mishandling child sexual abuse (CSA), Watchtower policies enable cover-ups by failing to report CSA cases to authorities. The organization’s two-witness rule prevents action unless a second witness or a confession is provided, allowing abusers to remain within congregations in many CSA cases. 

Global Findings of CSA Cover-Ups
Government investigations, survivor testimonies, and media reports have exposed widespread CSA cover-ups within Jehovah’s Witness congregations worldwide. Yet, the U.S. has failed to conduct a nationwide investigation despite evidence of systemic abuse.

A 2023 Pennsylvania Attorney General investigation uncovered multiple child predators, including elders, within JW congregations. Arrests and prosecutions followed. View the Attorney General's Press Conference Here

What Other Countries Have Found:
🔴 Australia: The Royal Commission found 1,006 CSA cases—none reported to authorities. View Report
🔴 The Netherlands: 751 CSA cases documented; only 27% reported to police, with 75% of victims dissatisfied with Watchtower’s handling. View Report 
🔴 The UK: 67 CSA cases, none reported—violating mandatory reporting laws. View Report 
🔴 Japan: Over 150 CSA victims came forward, exposing internal cover-ups. View Report  

Watchtower’s Secret CSA Policies
The Shepherd the Flock of God manual, inaccessible to ordinary members, directs elders to contact Watchtower’s Legal Department upon learning of CSA allegations—not law enforcement. The 2024 edition states that viewing child pornography is not considered CSA from a congregation standpoint, advising only strong counseling and possible internal discipline—not mandatory reporting to authorities.

Why Your Signature Matters
In 1997, the Watchtower Society issued a confidential letter to all congregation elders advising them to send reports of all known CSA offenders only to headquarters, suggesting the existence of a secret internal database that has never been shared with law enforcement. Investigations in Australia and the UK confirm this pattern of concealment.  View the 1997 Letter to Elders Here

In 2012, the Watchtower Society sent another confidential letter October 2012 with CSA policy updates, advising elders globally, to remove and destroy copies of the March 1997 letter above, and other letters previously sent with old CSA policies.

View the 2012 Letter to Elders Here

A federal investigation would:

✔ Access Watchtower records on known abusers within U.S. congregations and headquarters.
✔ Identify and prosecute perpetrators and complicit leaders.
✔ Protect children within and outside Jehovah’s Witness congregations.
✔ Hold religious leaders accountable for obstructing justice.
✔ Advocate for stronger clergy mandatory reporting laws and penalties for noncompliance.

This abuse cannot remain hidden. The Watchtower Organization must be held accountable.

👉 Sign and share this petition today!