Maine Woman Files Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Abuse by Jehovah’s Witness Elder in Rockport

A Maine woman has filed a lawsuit alleging that a Jehovah’s Witness elder sexually abused her during childhood and that the church threatened her family when she reported the abuse. The lawsuit, filed in Knox County court, names both the Rockport Jehovah’s Witness congregation and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. as defendants.

The plaintiff alleges that she was abused by the elder between the ages of 11 and 13, from 1993 to 1996. According to the lawsuit, she informed her mother of the abuse, and when her mother attempted to address the issue with church leadership, she was warned that reporting the abuse to law enforcement could result in legal action against the family.

The church is alleged to have disfellowshipped the woman after her mother confronted the elders. The lawsuit states that the congregation would not permit her to rejoin the community when she refused to retract her claims of abuse.

The case highlights the importance of accountability and the need for safe reporting mechanisms within religious communities. Proverbs 31:8-9 calls for advocating for the vulnerable and speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves, a principle that remains relevant in addressing such allegations.

Support and resources for individuals affected by sexual violence are available through the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s 24/7 hotline at 800-871-7741. This underscores the necessity of providing care and assistance to those who have experienced abuse, in line with the call to love and protect one another as outlined in Micah 6:8.

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