The research was commissioned by the Scientific Research and Documentation Center of the Ministry of Justice and Security that requested the research in response to a Second Chamber Motion of Van Nispen et al. (31015 No. 154). This motion (including the use of language) was the guiding principle for the WODC research question and therefore for our research.

For the study, experiences of Jehovah's Witnesses and ex-Jehovah's Witnesses with sexual abuse, who entered through an electronic contact point, were studied. Ten in-depth interviews with victims and relatives of victims were also conducted, the investigation team spoke with the board of the Jehovah's Witnesses in the Netherlands and a representative of the central administration in the US, a file inspection took place in a Kingdom Hall to assess how files are being built up and a meeting has been held with the board of the Foundation Reclaimed Voices, dedicated to the victims of sexual abuse under Jehovah's witnesses. Subsequently, earlier (international) research on sexual abuse and closed communities, including the community of Jehovah's witnesses, was studied.

The report can be downloaded as a PDF on the WODC website

The report can be ordered in book form via Boom Uitgevers

The report can be read in digital book form via Open Access

See also the letter from Parliament Dekker following this report