STORIES FROM VICTIMS OF THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES 'CULT'

Jodi was abused by a church elder and his daughter when she was eight years old. When she was 13 she mustered up the courage to report the abuse to church authorities but was not believed and branded a liar.
"They preach love but they don't show love," she said.

"They love bomb you. They sell you this vision of a perfect community. It is anything but. It's indoctrination. It's a cult, it really is. But they convince you it's a religion."

Shine Lawyers principal Lisa Flynn specializes in institutional sexual abuse and describes the culture of Jehovah's Witness church as deeply problematic.

"The Jehovah's Witnesses have many practices and policies which create a perfect storm for child abuse," she said.

Ms Flynn describes the organization as "controlling, insular and isolating".
"Anyone who complains faces the risk of being shunned and isolated from their families and friends and the way of life they have known," she said. "That makes people very reluctant to report abuse."

And those who do report face hurdles such as the "two witness rule" which requires two eye witnesses to an allegation, having to confront the alleged abuser and giving evidence to a panel of male elders.

"It's often the case that no action is taken," she said. "That leads to a climate where a perpetrator is free to go off and continue perpetrating."
http://ow.ly/Tkr430aXRKV

RUSSIA’S MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MOVES TO BAN JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES IN RUSSIA

"Russia’s Supreme Court has [recently] heard the testimony of four former members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses who said they were subjected to ‘total control’ by the organization and brainwashed against receiving higher education or starting a family.

In its lawsuit to outlaw the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Justice Ministry pointed to various violations in the organisation’s activities revealed during a surprise inspection, including breaches of the Law on Counteracting Extremist Activities.

The ministry has asked the court to declare the organization and its 395 local branches as extremists, ban their activity and seize property."

http://ow.ly/GpcW30aVAju

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LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY CAN “DESTROY PEOPLE’S LIVES”

Remini said her mission in the hour long show is to “continue to tell these people’s stories until somebody steps in to do something about it.”

She might be close to achieving her objective. Mike Rinder, another ex-Scientologist who also participates in the show, said lawyers were working hard to bring action on the church.

“They’re reviewing all the facts, reviewing the stories of the victims and reviewing the law,” he said. “It’s looking very hopeful.”

http://ow.ly/MqIN30aOCbM

7 SPIRITUAL IDEAS THAT ENABLE ABUSE AND SHAME THE VICTIM

There are some spiritual beliefs and principles that, when taken too far, can be distorted to blame or shame victims of abuse or other forms of trauma, proving harmful and limiting to the healing journey. It’s important to shed light on spiritual frameworks that may hinder or impede a survivor’s journey to authentic healing and can perpetuate a larger victim-shaming discourse in society. Here are seven spiritual philosophies that can be misused to blame the victim and enable abuse.

FACT office reopened

The FACT Team is back in action at the office. Fyi, if you would like to contact us, our normal operating hours are Monday - Friday 10-6pm EST, or you may contact us via our website at any time.

OFFICE CLOSED March 30th until April 9th, 2017

Dear FACT Supporters,

Just to inform you, we will be out of the office on assignment starting tomorrow March 30th until April 9th, 2017. Our offices will reopen April 10th. If you require emergency assistance, please contact 911 and/or (if needed) the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

You may still send in support requests via our website, but please understand that we will not be able to respond to them until we reopen.

Thank you,

The FACT Team