Class Action for Sexual Abuse Within the Jehovah's Witnesses
Acting on behalf of Lisa Blais, McCarthy Tétrault LLP leads a Quebec-wide class action litigation against certain Watch Tower entities in relation to alleged sexual assaults on minors within the Jehovah's Witness organization, as well as in connection with the alleged subsequent mismanagement of these sexual assaults. The class action alleges that the policies and procedures in place within the Watch Tower facilitate the commission of sexual assaults, notably by Elders and Witnesses on minors, in addition to ensuring that the complaints are never reported to lay authorities. Moral, pecuniary and punitive damages are claimed for the victims.
The class includes all persons who are or were a Jehovah’s Witness and who allege having been sexually abused as a minor by a Jehovah’s Witness Elder in the province of Quebec (the Elder Abuse Subclass) AND all persons who are or were a Jehovah’s Witness and who allege having been sexually abused as a minor by a Jehovah’s Witness in the province of Quebec (the Witness Abuse Subclass).
Case Updates
On February 27, 2019, the Superior Court of Québec authorized the bringing of a class action.
To consult the re-re-amended application for authorization to institute a class action, please click here. To consult the judgment authorizing the class action, please click here. To consult the judgment authorizing the class action as rectified on March 11, 2019, please click here.
In April 2019, the defendants filed applications for leave to appeal the judgment authorizing the exercise of a class action and rejecting the declinatory exception requested by the defendant Watch Tower Bible and Track Society of Pennsylvania.
On December 11, 2020, the Court of Appeal of Québec dismissed these appeals, thereby confirming the judgment rendered by the Superior Court of Québec and authorizing the exercise of a class action. To consult the judgment rendered by the Court of Appeal of Québec, please click here.
The Superior Court has since authorized the publication of notices to the class members. You can consult these notices. To access the detailed notice, click here, and for the abridged version of the notice, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a class action?
A class action is a lawsuit that allows a large group of people with common issues to come together to advance a claim. By joining together, class actions provide a more efficient way to advance legal claims.
Am I a class member?
Individuals Are Automatically Included
When a class action is authorized, a class definition is provided. If you are a person who meets the class description, then you do not need to sign up to be part of the class action – you are automatically included.
However, in order to facilitate the next steps of the file and ensure that we have your coordinates if needed, we highly recommend you complete the intake form, which can be found here or communicate with us at QCAJW@mccarthy.ca or 1-833-600-2352. The information that you provide on your situation is privileged and will be kept confidential.
Do I have to pay to be part of the class action?
No. This class action will proceed on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyers bringing the action will only be paid if the class action succeeds. If successful, the lawyers will be paid a portion of the settlement or judgment, but only if the court approves it.
In the News
- LeDevoir: Crimes sexuels: action collective autorisée contre les Témoins de Jéhovah
- Radio-Canada: Recours collectif contre les Témoins de Jéhovah au Québec : une décision l'an prochain
- Montreal Gazette: Judge authorizes class action for Jehovah's Witnesses sex abuse victims
- CBC: Quebec class action alleging sexual abuse in Jehovah's Witnesses can proceed
Contact
For media inquiries, please contact:
Sarah Woods Partner Montréal swoods@mccarthy.ca t. 514-397-4220
For class member inquiries, please contact:
QCAJW@mccarthy.ca or 1-833-600-2352