Woman Sues Jehovah's Witness Church Alleging Inaction In Sexual Abuse By Elder 25+ Years Ago

The Albuquerque Journal reported yesterday on a lawsuit by a 35-year old woman against the Los Lunas (NM) Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  The suit, filed in New Mexico state court, alleges that plaintiff was sexually abused in 1987 (when she was 8 years old) by an elder of the congregation.  It alleges that plaintiff's mother had been raped by the elder. When she told other church elders, they not only failed to remove the accused elder, but insisted that the mother demonstrate her forgiveness by hosting the accused elder and his family in their home, and by permitting her children to spend time, including nights, at the elder's home under his supervision.  The suit claims that the mother complied under duress, and this gave the elder access to abuse plaintiff. The lawsuit also names the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, which oversees the church, and a former elder.