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Step-by-Step Process to Report a Religion for Coercion or Voter Intimidation In the United Kingdom

 

Step 1 - Prepare Your Evidence

  • Gather supporting documents, including internal Jehovah’s Witnesses manuals (Shepherd the Flock of God), publications (Keep Yourselves in God’s Love), and, if you have any, testimonies (like your own) that illustrate the allegations of political restrictions and penalties.
  • Highlight the relevant text and take screenshots of the neutrality section in lvs (page 244) and the neutrality section in the elder manual (Chapter 18, Point 3) to send along with the PDFs of both books.
  • Ensure all evidence is legible and organized for easy reference.
  • If possible, convert all evidence into PDF format (up to 10MB).

 

Step 2 - Identify the Relevant Authority

In the UK, the Charity Commission for England and Wales oversees the activities of registered charities to ensure compliance with the Charities Act 2011.

 

Step 3 - Draft the Complaint

Write a detailed letter or use the Charity Commission’s online complaint form. Include:

    • Your full name and contact details.
    • The name of the organisation (The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain).
    • A clear description of the issue and why it violates the Charities Act 2011.
    • Supporting evidence and documents.

 

Step 4 - Contact the JWs first

  • Write to the charity explaining your concern and requesting an explanation or remedy for their practices and mail it to the address reported in the Charity Commission’s website.
  • Wait for 28 days for them to respond (they won’t) and document this as evidence for the Charity Commission.

 

Step 5 - Submit the Complaint Online

You can report the charity online via the Charity Commission’s website:
https://forms.charitycommission.gov.uk/raising-concerns/ 

Steps for filing online:

    1. Navigate to the online complaint form linked above.
    2. Fill out the required fields:
      • Name of the charity: The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain.
      • Charity registration number: 1077961 (searchable on the Commission’s website).
      • Description of the alleged misconduct.
    3. Upload your evidence, such as scanned documents, testimonies, and other materials.
    4. Submit the complaint (sample below).

 

Step 6 - Submit a Complaint via Post or Email (Optional)

If you prefer to report by post or email:

    • Post Address: Charity Commission, PO Box 211, Bootle, L20 7YX, UK.
    • Email Address: [email protected].

Include all the details outlined in Step 3, along with your contact information.

 

Step 7 - Acknowledge and Follow Up

The Charity Commission will acknowledge receipt of your complaint. They may request additional evidence or provide updates on their investigation.

    • Response Time: Depending on the case, responses can take several weeks to months.

Reference Number: Once your case is logged, you’ll receive a reference number. Use it to follow up on your complaint.

 

Step 8 - In Case of Escalation

If you believe the Charity Commission is not taking appropriate action, you can escalate the matter to:

    • The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (for complaints against the Charity Commission).

Tips for a Strong Submission

    • Use neutral, professional language to describe the issue.
    • Focus on practices that violate UK laws or harm public trust in charities.
    • Provide evidence demonstrating how the practices contradict the charity's mission or legal obligations.
    • Avoid including unnecessary personal data.

 

Download Templates:

 

 

Suggestions for Submission:

  1. Ensure you include attachments as evidence, particularly pages from internal documents explicitly describing these policies.
  2. Submissions can be sent via post to the ACNC address or electronically through their website's complaint form: ACNC Complaint Form.
  3. Attach a concise summary of this letter if filing electronically, as online forms often have word limits.
  4. Timeframes for ACNC responses vary but typically take several weeks; follow up if no acknowledgment is received within 14 days.

Additional Tips

  • Anonymous Reporting: If you wish to remain anonymous, indicate this clearly in the complaint form or letter. However, anonymity might limit follow-up communication.
  • Provide Context: Explain how the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ practices affect individuals, referencing specific examples of harm or infringement on rights.
  • Be Patient: Investigations may take time, as the ACNC gathers evidence and reviews compliance with legal standards.