Berman & Simmons Sexual Abuse Survivors Practice Team are Suing Jehovah’s Witnesses, Alleging Sexual Assault
Attorneys with the Berman & Simmons Sexual Abuse Survivors Practice Team are suing Jehovah’s Witnesses on behalf of Shannon Simendinger who was repeatedly assaulted as a child for more than a decade by leaders of the Fort Kent congregation where she was a member.
Attorney Michael Bigos, who leads the practice group, calls this case an institutional betrayal and believes the evidence will show the leaders knew about the abuse, they essentially tried to cover it up, and people were harmed as a result of those actions. Attorney Bigos and his colleagues have deep experience representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse and have succeeded in holding churches accountable.
That’s what Shannon wants. As she told a reporter, “What I’m doing, helping others and helping myself heal, and making them accountable for what they’ve done, is where I know in my heart I need to be.”
Read More:
- Bangor Daily News: Woman sues Fort Kent Jehovah’s Witnesses over alleged sexual abuse
- Maine Public Radio: Jehovah’s Witnesses in Fort Kent sued for sexually assaulting girl decades ago
- Press Herald: Fort Kent woman sues Jehovah’s Witnesses, alleging child sex abuse
- NewsCenter Maine: Former conviction of Jehovah’s Witness elder sparks new lawsuit against organization