After a nine-year statutory inquiry (2014-2023), prolonged by the charity's litigation up to the Supreme Court, the Charity Commission concluded that Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain is no longer the body responsible for safeguarding in congregations, that its child-protection policy is a global policy prepared at World Headquarters, and that the trustees' responses 'have not been as straightforward and as transparent as they should have been'.
Claim ID claim-safeguarding-watch-tower-britain-inquiry-2023Concerns 4 August 2023Independent finding
The organisation’s position or later explanation: The charity said the Commission 'should have been clear throughout that the Britain Branch Committee has, and still is, responsible for the JW safeguarding policy's compliance with the laws of England and Wales'; to IICSA Mr Gillies called the inquiry 'manifestly unfair' ( Part F para 17).
“is not the organisation that is currently directly responsible for the safety of JW beneficiaries, including children”
The Commission's conclusion about Watch Tower Britain (charity 1077961) after a nine-year inquiry (opened 27 May 2014, report 4 August 2023). The inquiry found the charity had a role only in the 2011 policy; the current policy is 'a global policy used by JWs across the world' prepared at World Headquarters; responsibility passed to the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (2011) and, after March 2022 mergers, the Kingdom Hall Trust. The charity's responses 'have not been as straightforward and as transparent as they should have been', though the Commission did 'not conclude that the trustees have deliberately failed to cooperate'. Litigation (judicial review 2014-2016; Supreme Court refused permission July 2016) 'substantially constrained inquiry progress'. An NSPCC review had found the 2013 policy 'at odds with UK legislation and guidance'.
“not as straightforward or transparent as they should have been”
How the Commission characterised the trustees' conduct during the inquiry regarding who held safeguarding responsibility. The release records 67 child-abuse allegations reported against individuals in JW congregations between 2009 and 2019 and quotes Chief Executive Helen Stephenson: 'a charity must be a safe, trusted environment'.
Provenance and verification note for Charity Commission for England and Wales, Watchdog reports on investigation into Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain (press release)
“The Commission's concerns have been amplified by recent criminal cases concerning historic incidents of abuse involving individuals who appear to have been connected to Jehovah's Witnesses congregations.”
Announcing statutory inquiries into Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain (charity 1077961, opened 27 May 2014) and Manchester New Moston Congregation (charity 1065201, opened 30 May 2014). The release stresses the Commission 'is not a safeguarding authority and its inquiries will not investigate allegations of abuse'. Page marked withdrawn 19 October 2023 (inquiries concluded).
Provenance and verification note for Charity Commission for England and Wales, Charity Commission investigates Jehovah's Witnesses charities (press release)
Notes. Both charities announced they would challenge the inquiries; the challenge went to the Court of Appeal (dismissed March 2016) and Supreme Court (permission refused July 2016) per the 2023 report.
Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID.src-cc-2014-0610-press-release-inquiries-opened
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