Jehovah's Witnesses Brother and Sister Tree Swindle Victims!

Jehovah’s Witnesses Brother and Sister Tree Swindle Victims!

A brother  writes:

“You may have seen reports of fake bomb detectors make in England. The maker of them from Dunstable in England is a Jehovah's Witness along with his wife.

Their names are SAM and JOAN TREE, they are in one of the Dunstable congregations and they have just been sentenced. He has gone to prison and she has to do community service. You will find the story with an internet search. The media has not brought out that they are witnesses, and I think that people should be told about this." 

Video here

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-28602876

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11139351/Man-jailed-over-fake-bomb-detectors-he-said-could-find-Madeleine-McCann.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10967191/Couple-claimed-fake-bomb-detector-could-even-find-Madeleine-McCann.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29459896

Dunstable pensioner Samuel Tree jailed for 3 and half years for selling bogus bomb detector which he claimed could find Madeleine McCann

http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Dunstable-pensioner-Samuel-Tree-jailed-3-half/story-23039882-detail/story.html

By LutonOnSunday  |  Posted: October 03, 2014

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By BY JULIA SUTTON

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A DUNSTABLE pensioner who claimed his 'Alice in Wonderland' bomb detectors could find missing schoolgirl Madeleine McCann was jailed for a total of three-and-a-half years today (October 3).

Samuel Tree, 67, and his wife Joan, 62, of Houghton Road, Dunstable, were part of a gang of five swindlers who made more than £100m selling bogus devices that put the lives of British soldiers at risk.

They both denied making an article for use in fraud.

Among their bizarre claims for the detectors was that the could sniff out hidden ivory at a distance of three miles.

webAds html, javascript in stories/story.jsp

The Trees also insisted they had tracked the missing three-year-old to a site on the M48 motorway.

In reality, the devices were cheap plastic boxes imported from China and assembled in the couple's garden shed in Dunstable at a cost of just £5.10.

Juries had previously convicted Jim McCormick, Gary Bolton, both 58, Anthony and Anthony Williamson, 59.

With the Trees they duped governments, armies, and even the United Nations into buying their useless devices.

Passing sentence at Kingston Crown Court, Judge Richard Marks QC said: 'You decided to market this device along with the other defendants previously convicted.

'Thereafter you commissioned the device's production in China, where the cost of an individual piece was just over £5.

'You had the device stamped 'Made in Britain,' which in my view is plainly dishonest.

'The device underwent various name changes over the years, but for all practical purposes it was the same thing.

'The modest production cost is a reflection of the fact that this device was effectively a black plastic box, one similar to what might look like a small radio.

'But this proceeded to be sold for as much as £2,000 per item.

'The way in which it worked was that a piece of card or paper would be attached to it, an image reflecting what it was proposed to be looking for.

'The ariel would then point to the vicinity or direction of the person or object being searched for.

'One only has to look at the bare facts to see this as a bizarre and fantastic proposition akin to something out of Alice in Wonderland.

'This device was completely ineffectual. The basis on which it worked was a complete fantasy.

'Even if you had not written line by line your own sales literature, the most customary glance at it would had put you on notice that all mannerof scientific claims were mad.

'That you decided not to sell the products in this country and not expose it to closer scrutiny, suggests a great deal about your motives.'

The judge took pity on Joan Tree, who received a two-year suspended sentence.

Over the years the Trees made hundreds of thousands of pounds from the devices.

McCormick, who was jailed for ten years, raked in £60m selling his devices around the world, including 6,000 for use in the perilous Green Zone in war-torn Iraq.

He sold his machines to the UN in Lebanon, the military in Iraq and Belgium, and the Hong Kong prison service.

He paid £13 for the machines before modifying them and selling them for up to £27,000 a time.

Bolton, who was jailed for seven years, made £45m from the scam, duping British diplomats and Army officials with wild claims the devices could detect explosives, drugs, cash, tobacco and even humans at distances of up to three miles.

He used crackpot scientific theories to hookwink Giles Paxman, the diplomat brother of celebrity journalist Jeremy Paxman, into supporting him while he was serving as the UK's ambassador to Mexico.

Bolton's devices were flogged to Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Egypt, China, and Thailand, with officials convinced they were 'the best thing since sliced bread'.

The scam sold bogus products XK9, Alpha 6, GT200 and The Mole through the firms Global Technical Ltd, Tactical Electronic Services, CommsTrack, and Keygrove International.

Brendan Kelly QC, defending Samuel Tree, said:'It is agreed that Mr Tree played a significant role in this offending, there can be no doubt argument about that,' Mr Kelly said.

'Mr Tree is content for me to say on his behalf that the role played by Mrs Tree herself is substantially different to his.

'I submit on his behalf that had it not been for him she would not have involved herself in this plot.'

Judge Marks added: 'Financially this case will be disastrous for you because it will inevitably mean that you will lost all of your assets.'

The court heard that the Trees will likely lose their £180,000 house and £10,000 at a confiscation hearing set for 27 February 2015.

Joan Tree was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid community work.

Judge Marks QC concluded: 'Joan Tree, you are in a significantly different situation to the one of your husband in my view.

'It is undoubtedly the case that you played a significantly lesser role.

'You were concerned with assisting your husband, not marketing or selling like him or in training.

'You were, I am satisfied, acting under direction from your husband and would not have become involved in this situation had it not been for him.

'I have given anxious consideration as to whether there is scope for suspending your sentence, and I have by the narrowest of margins decided that by this lesser role this is just possible.

'You should consider yourself extremely fortunate as you have come as close to anyone to receiving a custodial sentence.'

She hugged her husband before he was led to the cells.

Detective Constable Joanne Law, who led the investigation for the City of London Police's Overseas Ant-Corruption Unit, said: 'Sam and Joan Tree were a couple driven by personal greed, manufacturing useless detectors which they knew were being marketed to police and security services around the world as being able to locate anything from hidden explosives to missing persons.

'The devices cost the couple only a few quid to make but were being sold on by agents for prices ranging from several thousand to half a million pounds, despite the fact they were nothing more than plastic boxes with a handle and antennae.

'The sentencing of the Trees is the concluding act in a highly complex investigation into a global criminal network, which over a ten-year period turned-over up to £80 million.

'Thousands of false substance detectors were produced and sold putting both the users and the people they were bought to protect in grave danger.

'The demise of these individuals sends a strong warning to anyone else who believes they can make criminal capital abroad while trading off the good name of British business.'

Read more: http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Dunstable-pensioner-Samuel-Tree-jailed-3-half/story-23039882-detail/story.html#ixzz3FISQYaat  

Read more at http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Dunstable-pensioner-Samuel-Tree-jailed-3-half/story-23039882-detail/story.html#2BtS5BXSH3tiBMoo.99

Jehovah's Witnesses Leadership Accountable for Pedophile Elder David Porter

Recently the UK press has reported that Michael Porter was convicted as a child molester with a long history of molesting little boys. Elders from the Mill Hill Congregation assured media that Porter would be “supervised” as he attended meetings and door to door ministry to offer bibles studies with families.

Mill Hill is one of the most significant congregations in United Kingdom, as it is the official home congregation for the Branch Office of the IBSA (International Bible Students Association). Porter is listed as a “Trustee” for the Mill Hill Congregation with the UK Charities Commission. You can read this information at this LINK . If you look closely at the trustees you will see another name listed in the Mill Hill Congregation, a fellow elder Ronald Drage. Drage is listed as the Chairman for the IBSA in UK. (See scans of information to confirm this scan 1 scan 2 )

The key administrative leader for Jehovah’s Witnesses apparently became aware of a pedophile that molested multiple children in his congregation. If he were to follow the directive (UKletter) that was sent out to all congregations in 2002, Porter would have been reported immediately by Drage or any of the other “elders” in the Mill Hill Congregation. Yet the media reported,

“one of his victims threatened to go to the police”

So here we see the Watchtower Policy on Child Abuse is still being covered up in a scandal that goes all the way to the Chairman of the UK Branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Ronald Drage and his fellow elders that direct the work of JWs in UK will not answer questions or take responsibility for their actions. In the end it ends up as the title of the Panorama program described in 2002, “Suffer the Little Children .”

http://www.silentlambs.org/RonaldDrage.htm

Nationwide Bulletin From Silentlambs

Nationwide Bulletin Alert from Silentlambs

We are mounting a nationwide campaign to alert the public and Jehovah’s Witnesses of a fugitive that is on the 15 most wanted by the U. S. Marshalls Service. Rick McLean is a “serial child molester” that used his knowledge of the inner workings of Jehovah’s Witnesses to access and molest numerous children for many years. McLean was a ministerial servant and pioneered (more hours in door to door work) and often took children on camping trips to build trust and allow him access.

We believe that McLean may have assumed a new identity and may be pretending to be a new convert to a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. With his knowledge of the inner workings due to his long association with JWs this would be simple for him to do. As a JW member he would be active in calling on the homes of the public which would allow him further access to children by offering bible studies.

McLean is very cunning and deceptive, it is estimated that he molested over 30 children and used the religion as a way to gain the trust of children and cover his actions. For those reasons we are issuing a one page flyer to be distributed to Kingdom Halls, (Churches for JWs) public bulletin boards, laundry mats, churches and any place where public information can be displayed.

Silentlambs is making the flyer available in two formats, Word and PDF, to download click on the links below and then make copies for distribution in your local community.

Word Format Flyer

PDF Format Flyer

This man has been on the run for three years, he is a compulsive molester of little girls 5-12 years of age. If you know or see anyone that matches his description calling at your home or in a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses please follow the instructions on the flyer for your safety.

If you would like further information contact silentlambs at 1 877-WTABUSE or 1 877 982-2873 or email at info@silentlambs.org

Also there are some more details located at these link,

http://silentlambs.org/McClean.htm

http://silentlambs.org/rickmcleanamw.htm,

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=35566,

http://www.usdoj.gov/marshals/investigations/most_wanted/mclean15.pdf

Catholics 660 million - Jehovah’s Witnesses 0

Catholics child abuse settlements July 2007

Report all allegations of abuse to authorities

Reveal internal church records about abusers

Compensate victims

Allow settlement victims to speak about their abuse

Apologize to victims for church mistakes

Jehovah’s Witnesses child abuse settlements May 2007

Report all allegations of abuse to Watchtower Legal Department

Destroy or prevent church records about abusers from being revealed

Only compensate victims after spending millions in attorney fees to exhaust all possibilities otherwise

Make compensated victims sign gag orders to prevent them from speaking

Leadership makes no acknowledgement of wrongdoing or apology

As thousands attend the ‘Follow the Christ’ District Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, thousands of sexual abuse survivors from the same religion are learning something new. Leadership (Governing Body) authorized payment in May 2007, of the largest settlement in church history to sixteen victims of the church child abuse policy. This is certainly good news as it will allow thousands of JW victims to understand that they too might be able to be compensated for their abuse as well. As you can see above the Catholic Church has made adjustments force/funded by lawsuits to require adjustments in their child abuse policy. Now Jehovah’s Witnesses are starting the billion dollar process of discovering how to change policy or get sued out of existence. Thankfully Jehovah’s Witnesses are one of the wealthiest religions on earth and even though they continue to spend the bulk of their ‘Worldwide Work Donations’ protecting the religious rights of child molesters they are learning the hard way. Please do not give Jehovah’s Witnesses money until they start following the example set by the Catholic Church, otherwise you will be funding the freedom of pedophiles.

So as Jehovah’s Witnesses at the ‘Follow the Christ’ District Conventions are taught to sing loudly, only look at the speaker, and clap every time the speaker pauses: victims and advocates hope Jehovah’s Witnesses learn even more quickly about changing their policy on child abuse thus leaving more money for victims’ compensation instead of attorney pockets.

Other religion guilty of abuse

(Created: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 9:55 AM EDT)

To the editor:
http://www.kpcnews.com/articles/2007/07/25/features/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/news_sun/doc46a7562c717ab982889619.txt
In recent days, as was reported in this newspaper, the Catholic Church paid out a record $660 million to compensate victims of sexual abuse.

Not many months back, a lesser known evangelical group, Jehovah’s Witnesses, also paid a settlement to 16 unnamed alleged victims of sexual abuse within the religion.

The longtime alleged coverup of these sins within that church make it, at least in some ways, even more heinous than that of the Catholic Church. Dateline broke the news on television with a program called “ Witness for the Prosecution” in May 2002. That program is still available to doubters via the Internet.

Several alleged victims of child-rape within the religion exposed the coverup. They were quickly silenced by being excommunicated from the faith. Their only sin was pain and anguish from sins left covered and hidden. The director of a non-religious organization devoted to giving these children (or adults later in life) a voice, Bill Bowen, also a Jehovah Witness at the time, was quickly expelled also. His sin? Protecting the children. His organization, Silentlambs, is prominent in the fight against these horrific attacks and rape of children within religion, particularly within Jehovah’s Witnesses, which he is intimately familiar as a long time elder.

Not long ago, Jehovah’s Witnesses distributed a major flyer to the public in which they decried the hypocrisy of religions that hide pedophilia within the church. It’s likely you got that little flyer in your door. In it, they picture a Catholic priest, intimating a disgust with religion that would tolerate such hidden practices within. Interestingly, they are now found to be precisely like the church they condemn and have condemned for decades. Yet, among the rank and file of this group, most continue to be unaware of the hypocrisy that has ended in hundreds of its members being expelled and “shunned.” The sin for which they have been expelled was a desire to protect others from monsters hiding in the shadows of this religion.

The panoramic depth of this problem has been well documented. It is just a mouse click away on any desktop computer from within the privacy of your own home. Please make yourself aware. Protect your family, some of whom may someday think that they might join one of these insular groups. While no one wants to imply that all churches have the same level of problem in this regard (there is likely some of it in all of them), the uneducated are always the victims of the pseudo-religious groups that cover up such crime.

By the way, in the case of the Catholic settlements, there was no restriction placed on the compensated victims. In the case of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the recipients of the settlements, were “gagged” to make sure they did not write books, or place simple letters in the local papers like this one. In so doing, I hope to be at least a small part of a large voice for those who must remain silent. These isolationist evangelical groups, many of whom believe that God is using them exclusively as the “TRUTH,” are unfortunately covering the sins of their leaders with the tears of their children.

Jeffrey A. Kline

Kendallville

Prince Donates to Charity Excludes Jehovah's Witnesses

23,720 Reasons Why You Might Be Careful of Donations to Prince’s Religion

In a recent press release (1 ) Prince released a new fragrance called “3121”. The purple one stated that one of the reasons for selecting the small company was they had previously manufactured a perfume with the name “Truth”. This is a common word used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to describe their religion. In a press article that was entitled, “3121 reasons to pick up Prince’s scent” ( 2 ) a portion of the money spent on the first 24 hour purchases of the new fragrance will donate to charity. Seven charities, including City of Hope, Urban Farming and Sheila E's Elevate Hope Foundation, will receive 7% of sales made that day at 3121perfume.com. You can read about the charities at this link,
( 3 )

It is estimated that around a half million dollars will be raised for these various organizations. Each charity listed has a philanthropic purpose that helps individuals in need. Is Prince obeying the mandates of his newfound “truth” in this regard? It is interesting to note that for over sixty years Jehovah’s Witnesses have discouraged charity donations suggesting that they enriched the employees of foundations with little going to actually benefit the poor. Note the following quotes from the 1951, 1973, and 2003 Watchtower and Awake respectively.

***Watchtower 1951 11/1 p. 644 Charity in Christendom ***
“In Jesus’ time it was customary for prominent Jews to be announced by the blast of a trumpet as they made public donations at the temple in Jerusalem. Without equivocation it can be seen how Jesus condemned this. Today’s givers in charity do not stop with a little trumpet. Their beneficent works must be boomed to the skies in the press, over the radio, on the newsreels and now by television…”
“Jesus advocated using one’s substance for preaching the good news of God’s kingdom. (Matt. 19:21, NW)...Today Christians carry on the most charitable work of all history. Their preaching of ‘this good news of the Kingdom in all the inhabited earth for a witness’ brings spiritual healing to new praisers of God.—Matt. 24:14, NW.”

*** Awake 1973 11/22 p. 26 Is It Always Wise to Give to Charity? ***
A Balanced View
No question about it, as Jesus said, “You always have the poor with you.” (Matt. 26:11)… So the time-worn saying, “Let the buyer beware,” might well be rephrased, “Let the giver beware.”
And, of course, those who are Christian ministers are in position to give something far better than silver and gold. And what is that? The truth of God’s Word, which brings comfort, hope, peace of mind and which can even result in life eternal. (Matt. 10:8; compare Acts 3:1-8.)

***Watchtower 2003 6/1 p. 7 Giving That Pleases God ***
When it comes to organized charity, though, we need to be cautious as we evaluate the many appeals we receive.
Giving That Does the Most Good
“There is a kind of giving that is even more important than charity…. Jesus’ chief interest was in helping others spiritually....In fact, among his final instructions to them was the command: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations.”—Matthew 28:19, 20.”
So according to the directives above Prince would be better suited to “preaching the good news” as opposed to donating funds to assist those in need. This policy has long been practiced by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Members believe the world is passing away so why give money to support a world that is ruled by Satan. Charitable giving is clearly directed to go to the home office to support the “preaching work” as the best way to spend estates and inheritances. Each year millions and millions of dollars are directed to “Watchtower” the corporate entity of Jehovah’s Witnesses to be used or spent however the “Governing Body” chooses. Jehovah’s Witnesses are directed each year with specific articles on how they can give their Life Insurance, Annuities, Estates, and whatever else they can squeeze of value from members to the corporation to accomplish the “preaching work”. What is the “preaching work?” Basically the annual distribution of about one billion pieces of Watchtower printed literature that keeps to a simple message, unless you agree to immediately join Jehovah’s Witnesses and also become a distributor of their literature, God is going to kill you. When a Jehovah’s Witness calls at your door and asks for a donation for “free” literature, your money is used not only to make more literature but is spent on some things you might not wish to donate toward. In May of 2007 the Associated Press revealed that sixteen victims of abuse were paid the largest settlement in the history of the organization to sign gage orders and cover up the sexual abuse they experienced as children.( 4 )
This was the result of a five year legal battle that involved millions of dollars in attorney fees to protect the rights of child molesters within the religion. Victims were ostracized and even disfellowshipped for trying to reveal the identity of their molesters while Watchtower lawyers went to court to defend the “religious right” of convicted child molesters to prevent information from being revealed that would have convicted them of further crimes against children. Is this a charity fund that any rational person would be proud to donate to? In addition to protecting child molesters in the courts, donations to Jehovah’s Witnesses also maintain a database of 23,720 alleged molesters within the religion’s home office in New York. This database was first reported in 2002 ( 5 ) and may now contain well over 25,000 child molesters that have been discovered and hidden within the administrative files of Watchtower. These abusers remain unknown to the public or even church members as an administrative policy of Watchtower to protect the “religious right” of their member/child molesters. When law enforcement seeks to find information on the in church confessions of these pedophiles Watchtower donation funded attorneys declare “ecclesial privilege” and demand that this information is confidential thus guaranteeing the continued freedom of child molesting members. These same protected molesters are required by mandates of the church to participate in the “preaching work”. Yes JW pedophiles continue to call at your door to give you some literature, offer a home bible study and suggest that you make a donation to support their work. Could this be the reason that Prince omitted Watchtower as a deserving charity to donate to for the release of his new fragrance?
So as the newspaper article suggests you might find 3121 reasons to purchase Prince’s new fragrance and see a portion of your $40-$70 go to a worthy cause. Yet as Prince struggles for balance between worthy charity donations and his new found “truth”, we hope the public can see 23,720 reasons to not make a donation to Jehovah’s Witnesses until they open their pedophile database to law enforcement and allow the criminal prosecution of their child molesters. Please make Jehovah’s Witnesses aware that while you might accept a free piece of literature you will not be donating to their “Worldwide Work” as you do not wish your money to assist the protection of pedophiles.

"Follow The Christ"

Is This “Following the Christ”?

Watchtower Urged To Change Policy on Sex Abuse Cases

by AP, published online 05-15-2007

http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=27&id=12910

Victims’ Group Releases Settlements With 16 Who Claimed Abuse by Elders
By Rose French-Associated Press
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — “A victims’ rights group has released documents showing that the Jehovah’s Witnesses, also known as the Watchtower Society, recently settled civil suits with 16 people who claimed they were sexually abused by church elders or that church officials failed to act on abuse allegations.”

Would Christ Send a Child Molester House to House?

Watchtower 1997 1/1 p. 29 Let Us Abhor What Is Wicked ***

“Depending on the law of the land where he lives, the molester may well have to serve a prison term or face other sanctions from the State…. If he seems to be repentant, he will be encouraged to make spiritual progress, share in the field service…,”

What are the dangers of not following Christ example?

(Luke 17:2) ² It would be of more advantage to him if a millstone were suspended from his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to stumble one of these little ones.. . .

What Would Christ DO?

1. Report child molestation to Police for prosecution.
2. Seek legal assistance if you have been abused.
3. Do not allow molesters to use religion to have access to children.

In order to help Jehovah’s Witnesses “Follow the Christ” contact www.silentlambs.org to assist when abuse issues arise involving children. 800-WTABUSE

To download a copy of this flyer for distribution click here

Jehovah's Witnesses Settle Abuse Cases

Jehovah's Witnesses Settle Abuse Cases
By ROSE FRENCH 05.10.07, 6:14 PM ET
http://www.silentlambs.org/APpresscoverage.htm

A victims' rights group released documents Thursday that showed the Jehovah's Witnesses recently settled civil suits with 16 people who claimed they were sexually abused by church elders or that church officials failed to act on abuse allegations.

The group, called silentlambs, held a news conference in Nashville to demand that the denomination change its policy for responding to sex abuse reports.

Settlements were reached in late February and early March, according to court records obtained by silentlambs and posted to the group's Web site. Fourteen of the cases were filed in California; the other two were in Oregon and Texas.

Details about the settlement terms could not be disclosed under confidentiality agreements negotiated between the parties, said Stephen Owens, a plaintiffs' attorney involved in the California cases. Other cases are still pending, according to silentlambs, which couldn't say how many.

The Jehovah's Witnesses, whose headquarters are in Brooklyn, N.Y., said Thursday that they were pleased to see the lawsuits resolved, declining further comment.

"Our loving heavenly Father makes it clear in his Word, the Bible, that he abhors child abuse," a statement from the denomination said.

"As an organization, we will continually strive to educate families and congregations with sound Scriptural teachings that they can use to protect their children from child molesters. And we will continue to do our utmost to protect children from this horrible crime and sin."

William Bowen, silentlambs' founder, was a Jehovah's Witnesses elder from Kentucky who quit the denomination after he said it took no action against a molester. Bowen said the settlements were bittersweet.

"On one hand, we're glad a few victims are finally getting some financial help," he said. "On the other hand, we're sad and worried because they've essentially been forced to give up their right to protect others by speaking out about their abuse to the public."

Bowen's group has criticized the Jehovah's Witnesses' policy that if an accused abuser denies the charge, two credible witnesses are required to establish guilt - due to literal application of such Bible verses as Deuteronomy 19:15 ("only on the evidence of two witnesses, or of three witnesses, shall a charge be sustained").

If two witnesses are lacking, the accused is deemed innocent, charges remain confidential and - silentlambs says - parents who warn others are subject to disfellowshipping for slander.

Disfellowshipping is an extreme penalty that means a total cutoff of relationships by family members, friends and business associates who are Witnesses.

There are about 1 million Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States, and followers are known for distributing Awake! and Watchtower magazines door-to-door.

Bowen also said Jehovah's Witnesses have a long-standing policy of not reporting molesters to police. He claims that the denomination has a secret database of accused abusers that they have not shared with law enforcement officials.

"They keep putting innocent kids and unsuspecting families at risk of horrible crimes because they value their secrecy and reputations more than they value children's safety," Bowen said.

Since establishing silentlambs in 2001, Bowen says about 7,000 people who claim they were abused have contacted his group.

Angelique Taylor, 42, a silentlambs member from St. Louis, said she was molested by a Jehovah's Witnesses elder when she was about 12. Taylor said she told her father, who was also an elder, and he said she was making a big deal out of nothing.

"I want every elder, every Jehovah's Witness, whenever they suspect any abuse, they go to the police and tell them about the problems," Taylor said. "The devastation of sex abuse is unbelievable."

Associated Press reporter Allison Hoffman in San Diego contributed to this report.