1-0 Complaint Filed

November 12th, 2025

Case numbers:

1:25-cv-09458

7:25-cv-09458-NSR

Public Access on CourtListener:   https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71905206/gomes-de-souza-v-watchtower-bible-and-tract-society-of-pennsylvania-inc/

Plaintiff Stella Cristina Gomes de Souza brings a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, Inc., Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., and The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses (collectively, “Defendants”). The complaint alleges that, beginning in 2011, when Ms. Souza was 12 years old and living in Brazil, she was repeatedly raped and sexually abused by Angelo Roviezzo, a senior minister (Circuit Overseer) within the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The abuse continued for nearly a year, resulting in pregnancy and miscarriage, and was compounded by a subsequent incident of sexual exploitation by another congregation member.

The complaint asserts that Defendants, through a centralized and hierarchical structure based in New York, not only failed to protect Ms. Souza but also actively concealed the abuse. Despite multiple reports and evidence, Defendants allegedly silenced the victim, punished her, and transferred the abuser rather than alerting authorities. Internal policies discouraged reporting child sexual abuse to law enforcement and prioritized institutional reputation over child safety.

The complaint details the profound and lasting physical and psychological harm suffered by Ms. Souza, including infertility, PTSD, and major depressive disorder. It brings claims for negligent supervision, gross negligence, vicarious liability, sexual assault, sexual battery, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The Plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages of at least $100 million, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs, and demands a jury trial.