The uses of biblical texts in the sexual abuse of children in Jehovah’s Witnesses: how gendered violence operated to protect male authority.

Over the last 20 years, multiple public inquiries across the world have investigated the sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults in religious institutions. Two inquiries – the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual abuse and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual abuse in England and Wales - examined smaller religious groups including the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Findings indicate that biblical texts were used extensively in managing complaints of abuse and of perpetrators, compliance with silence and safeguarding policy. The gendered base of this process, from the interpretation of scripture by male leaders, to the management by men of the investigation processes indicate that gendered violence against women and girls was significant. This presentation will examine the gendered use of biblical texts in managing abuse and implementing the recommendations from both inquiries and ascertain the ways in which biblical texts are currently being employed with regard to gender equity.