Simon Brady: two witnesses

The Jehovah's Witnesses' policy means they do not act upon allegations of child abuse unless there are two witnesses to the event.

Deuteronomy 19:15

"No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin, in the case of any sin that he may commit.

"At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good ."

1 Timothy 5:19

"Do not admit an accusation against an older man, except only on the evidence of two or three witnesses."

Simon's story

When Simon Brady was growing up in Birmingham he was sexually abused by a man in his congregation.

He informed the elders, who wanted to know if there had been any other witnesses. Otherwise, this was just one person's word against another's.

Even after the man had been found guilty and sent to prison, the elders still have not taken any action because they lack their required second witness.

Simon told Panorama:

"They believe there has to be two witnesses to prove anything.

"It scared me, that scared me at nine years of age.

"There are going to be other kids out there now who are involved in this organisation and basically the guideline says they need two people to be believed or even to be taken seriously.

"Basically the chances are you're not going to have two witnesses."