Current and former Jehovah’s Witnesses reported 159 cases of sexual abuse by followers, many at the hands of those in positions of authority, according to a survey conducted by an apostate group.

The group of former second-generation followers, called “JW child abuse damage archive,” released the findings to relevant government ministries and agencies on Nov. 7.

It plans to hold a news conference on Nov. 28. 

Members of the group said they hope that the problem will be investigated as a social issue and serve as a wake-up call for human rights violations that can occur in other religions as well.

In the survey, the group solicited responses online in July and received 159 valid responses.

Thirty-five respondents said they had been sexually abused by followers when they were minors.

The sexual abuse they suffered included 24 cases of “being touched on the body over clothing or directly,” 11 of “being viewed…