A Pennsylvania grand jury investigating child sexual abuse among Jehovah’s Witnesses has charged another five people with raping or molesting children as young as 4.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced charges against five Pennsylvania men for the sexual assault and exploitation of children. All of the defendants, and their victims, were members of Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations, according to officials.
Critics say that Jehovah's Witnesses elders have treated child sexual abuse as a sin rather than a crime, documenting complaints in internal files but not reporting them to authorities. And they say the church often required a second witness to substantiate a complaint, a standard that can be impossible to meet when perpetrators often isolate their victims.
Attorney Matt Haverstick, who has represented the church, did not immediately return a call for comment on Friday. In the charges announced Friday, Henry said that the men had groomed or gained access to the children through the church, sometimes when the child’s family took the person into their home. One person said that she was raped 50 or more times between the ages of 7 and 12 by a church member who was 18 when the assaults began. Others involved less serious charges of inappropriate touching.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pa. authorities charge 5 more in probe of child sexual abuse among Jehovah's WitnessesA Pennsylvania grand jury investigating child sexual abuse in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community has charged another five people with raping or molesting children as young as 4, the latest developments in an ongoing probe that has identified 14 suspects.
Read more »
Witnesses saw Capitol Hill murder suspect stab victim in 'sawing motion:' court docsBail was set at $2 million for the man accused of stabbing another man to death in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. FOX13
Read more »
Man admits sexually assaulting child multiple times over 3 years, authorities sayProsecutors have recommended a 12-year state prison sentence for the man.
Read more »
These Pennsylvania college presidents seem far wiser than some justices on the Supreme Court | Social ViewsIn their ruling striking down affirmative action, it’s almost as if the majority of the Supreme Court justices are completely ignorant of American history.
Read more »
Pennsylvania needs more EV charges | PennLive lettersPennsylvania is way behind in the having the right infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Read more »
Pennsylvania governor backs off $100M private schools program in budget stalemateThe chamber on Wednesday night approved the main bill in a $45 billion spending plan, 117-86. The holdup was primarily over education spending.
Read more »