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16. Member of His Household Gets Involved in Serious Wrongdoing:
If a brother’s wife or child, including an adult child living in his home, is in-
volved in serious wrongdoing, the body of elders should evaluate whether
he still measures up to the requirement outlined in 1 Timothy 3:4, 5. Was
he cooperative with the elders as they tried to provide spiritual assistance?
Was he doing all that could reasonably be expected in caring for his family
spiritually, or was he negligent?


17. Allows an Adult Family Member Who Has Been Removed From
the Congregation or Has Disassociated Himself to Live in His Home:
The body of elders should evaluate whether the brother’s attitude and ac-
tions show respect for the admonition found in 1 Corinthians 5:11. Are
there valid reasons for allowing the family member to live in the home?
What is the family member’s conduct, and what effect is he having on the
spirituality of others in the household?


18. Supports the Marriage of a Baptized Christian to an Unbaptized
Person: The body of elders should evaluate whether the brother’s attitude
and actions show respect for the Scriptural command found in
1 Corinthians 7:39 and 2 Corinthians 6:14, 15. (lff lesson 42) For example,
did he or those in his household encourage or support the person’s
courtship? Did he or those in his household attend or participate in the
wedding or wedding reception?


19. Involved in Serious Wrongdoing Years in the Past and the Matter
Was Never Handled: If the body of elders determines that a committee of
elders is not needed to handle the matter, it should evaluate whether the
brother can still be considered “irreprehensible” and “free from accusa-
tion.” (1 Tim. 3:2, 10; Titus 1:6, 7; see 6:14-15.) What was the nature of the
wrongdoing? (See 9:15.) If the sin occurred before his appointment, why
did he not mention it to the elders? (See 5:8.) If the wrongdoing occurred
within the past few years while he was serving as an appointed brother, he
would no longer qualify to serve as such.


20. Viewed Pornography: If the body of elders determines that a com-
mittee of elders is not needed, the qualifications of the brother should still
be reviewed. (See A:15.) Did he briefly view pornography on a few occa-
sions? Is he determined to stop viewing pornography, or does he persist in
such a practice? If married, has he informed his mate of the problem?
Does he retain the respect of others who are aware of what he did? Does
his conscience allow him to continue serving? Are the elders convinced
that he will refrain from viewing pornography?


21. Filed for Bankruptcy: Depending on the circumstances, the body of
elders may need to review the qualifications of the brother. Does he con-
tinue to have “a fine testimony from outsiders”? (1 Tim. 3:7) Did he lack
self-control in his spending or fail to use reasonable foresight in his busi-
ness decisions? Does he have a reputation for being honest, responsible,
and conscientious in trying to pay his debts? Does he feel a moral respon-
sibility to repay canceled debts if former creditors would accept payment?

22. Unilateral Breaking of an Engagement to Marry: Generally, there is
no need to review the brother’s qualifications unless the sister lodges a
complaint or a number of people in the congregation are disturbed about
the matter and this has resulted in a lack of respect for him. (Eccl. 5:2; Matt.
5:37) The elders will need to use good judgment when determining
whether the brother is still exemplary. (See 1:20.) Were there valid reasons
for breaking the engagement, or does he take the engagement agreement
lightly?—w99 8/15 pp. 30-31.

CHAPTER 9: CHILD ABUSE
Contents
Handling Child Abuse Allegations 4-10
How Elders Contribute to Child Protection 11-15
Moving to Another Congregation 16-17
1. The Scriptures place the responsibility on parents to teach their children
and protect them from abuse. (Eph. 6:4) Our publications and website con-
tain much helpful information to assist parents to protect their children from
abuse.—w19.05 pp. 8-13.
2. Child abuse includes neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emo-
tional abuse. (See Appendix A, paragraph 11, for the definition of child
sexual abuse.) The Bible makes clear that child sexual abuse is a gross
and abhorrent sin. (Deut. 23:17, 18; Rom. 12:9; Gal. 5:19-21) Elders
should adhere closely to the direction in this chapter when a matter in-
volving child abuse comes to their attention. References to parents and
family heads in this chapter apply equally to legal guardians or others who
have parental responsibility for a minor. This chapter refers to an accused
in the masculine gender and to the victim in the feminine gender. However,
the direction applies equally regardless of the gender of the accused or the
gender of the victim.
3. Child abuse is a crime. The elders’ handling of an allegation of child
abuse is not intended to replace the secular authorities’ handling of the
matter. Elders comply with child-abuse reporting laws and will not shield
anyone guilty of such crimes from the secular authorities. (Rom. 13:1-4)
Therefore, the victim, her parents, or anyone else who reports such an alle-
gation to the elders should be clearly informed that they are free to report
the matter to the secular authorities. Elders do not criticize anyone who
chooses to make such a report.—Gal. 6:5.
HANDLING CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
4. When the elders learn of an allegation of child abuse, even if the alleged
abuse occurred many years ago, two elders should immediately call the
Service Department. If the person who is accused of the child abuse is as-
sociated with your congregation, the two elders should provide the
Child Abuse
Chapter 9person’s full name, date of birth and, if applicable, date of baptism. The el-
ders will receive assistance from the Service Department and, if needed,
from the Legal Department. This ensures not only that the allegation is
handled in harmony with Bible principles but also that elders comply with
any legal obligation to report. Such a call should be made even in the fol-
lowing situations:
(1) The accused or alleged victim is a non-Witness.
(2) The accused or alleged victim is not in your congregation.
(3) The alleged abuse occurred before the alleged perpetrator was
baptized.
(4) The alleged victim is now an adult.
(5) The alleged abuse is believed to be a repressed memory.
(6) The alleged abuse is based on the testimony of only one eyewit-
ness.
(7) The alleged abuse involved victims who are deceased.
(8) The alleged abuse is believed to have already been reported to the
secular authorities.
(9) It is unclear if elders from your congregation ever called the Service
Department in the past about the alleged abuse.
(10) The allegation involves child pornography or sexting a minor.
5. If the accused is a publisher, the body of elders should carefully follow
Scriptural procedures and the Bible-based direction in Chapter 6. The el-
ders should keep the following in mind:
(1) A victim of child sexual abuse is never required to make her allega-
tion in the presence of the alleged abuser. However, victims who are
now adults may do so, if they wish.
(2) Victims can be accompanied by a confidant of either gender when
presenting their allegation to the elders.
(3) If a victim prefers, her allegation can be submitted in the form of a
written statement.
(4) Generally, in the case of a victim who is a minor, elders should be
able to obtain necessary information concerning the allegation from
Child Abuse
Chapter 9the parents. If the elders believe it is necessary to speak with a
minor who is a victim of child sexual abuse, they should first contact
the Service Department.
6. From a congregation standpoint, child sexual abuse refers to the fol-
lowing:
(1) An adult guilty of sexually abusing a minor who is a young child.
(2) An adult guilty of sexual involvement with a minor who is ap-
proaching adulthood but was not a willing participant.
7. From a congregation standpoint, child sexual abuse does not refer to
the following:
(1) A minor who is a willing participant and who is approaching adult-
hood is involved in sexual activity with an adult who is a few years
older than the minor.
(2) Generally speaking, minors who have engaged in sexual miscon-
duct with one another or in sexting one another. However, regard-
less of the ages of those involved, such misconduct is serious. El-
ders should be guided by Chapter 7, paragraphs 28-31, and Ap-
pendix A, paragraphs 11-14. They should call the Service Depart-
ment if they have questions regarding a specific situation.
(3) Viewing child pornography. However, viewing child pornography is
still a serious violation of Jehovah’s standards. Depending on the
frequency and the extent of the wrongdoing, the matter could be
handled by means of strong counsel. In some cases, it will be nec-
essary to form a committee. If the elders determine that it is neces-
sary to form a committee, they should contact the Service Depart-
ment.—See A:15.
8. The congregation never considers a victim of child sexual abuse as
having committed wrongdoing. If the body of elders believes that a com-
mittee should be formed to meet with a minor because she confessed to
being a willing participant in sexual activity with an adult, two elders should
call the Service Department before proceeding.
9. Before forming a committee for child sexual abuse, please review
Chapter 6, paragraph 9. If the person is repentant and is reproved, the re-
Child Abuse
Chapter 9proof should be announced to the congregation at the next midweek
meeting.—See 7:10.
10. If child sexual abuse had been established at the time of the person’s
removal from the congregation or at the time of his disassociation and he
thereafter submits a letter requesting reinstatement, see Chapter 8, para-
graphs 17-18.
HOW ELDERS CONTRIBUTE TO CHILD PROTECTION
11. At times, secular authorities may inform the elders that a sex offender
is living in the area. They may also provide his address and state the na-
ture of his crime. In such a case, the elders should list that address on the
appropriate congregation territory card as a “do-not-call.”
12. Additionally, the Service Department will provide direction in the fol-
lowing situations:
(1) A baptized or an unbaptized publisher who committed child sexual
abuse is repentant and will remain in the congregation.
(2) One removed from the congregation for child sexual abuse is rein-
stated.
(3) A baptized or an unbaptized publisher denies an allegation of child
sexual abuse but is convicted by the secular authorities.
(4) One who was convicted of child sexual abuse by the secular author-
ities becomes a publisher or gets baptized.
13. In the above-mentioned situations, the Service Department will pro-
vide direction that will include restrictions on the person’s congregation ac-
tivities. The elders should caution the person never to be alone with a
minor, not to cultivate friendships with minors, not to display affection for
minors, and so forth. The Service Department may direct the elders to alert
the believing parent(s) of minors within the congregation of the need to
monitor their children’s interaction with the person. The elders would take
this step only if directed to do so by the Service Department. The elders
should carefully adhere to all direction provided by the Service Depart-
ment.
Child Abuse
Chapter 914. The coordinator of the body of elders should ensure that newly ap-
pointed elders and elders who move into the congregation are made aware
of the Service Department’s direction regarding such persons.—See 17:6.
15. One who has engaged in child sexual abuse does not qualify to receive
any privileges in the congregation for many years, if ever. (1 Tim. 5:22)
This includes even minor privileges. If the body of elders believes that one
who has engaged in child sexual abuse decades ago may now qualify for
minor privileges, it should assign two elders to call the Service Department
before any congregation privileges are extended.
MOVING TO ANOTHER CONGREGATION
16. When a person associated with the congregation who has been ac-
cused of child sexual abuse (established or not) moves to another congre-
gation, the elders will receive assistance from the Service Department and,
if needed, from the Legal Department. This ensures that elders receive
theocratic direction as well as legal advice that will help them comply with
any legal obligation to report. Note the following:
(1) Two elders from the congregation the person moves from should
immediately call the Service Department. The elders should provide
the name of the new congregation, if known. The Congregation Ser-
vice Committee should not send any information to the new congre-
gation until direction is received from the Service Department.
(2) When the elders are informed that a person who has been accused
of child sexual abuse (established or not) has moved into the con-
gregation, two elders should immediately call the Service Depart-
ment for direction.
17. The above steps should also be taken if the person (1) was removed
from the congregation or disassociated himself and is attending meetings,
(2) regularly moves away to live at a second residence, or (3) is in prison
and has transferred from another facility or is released.