While I may have worded some strong statements in the post above, I must mention what I believe that there was an adjustment in British WT policy when the 6-1-01 Boe letter was released. I refer you to a statement in that letter:
"Those who have confessed to child molestation, or who have been found guilty of child molestation by the congregation on the basis of two or more credible witnesses, should appear on the Child Protection List. (For a definition of child molestation see paragraph 3 of our letter To All Bodies of Elders dated April 15, 1997.)"
Here the statement is clear of not only going to the elders first, but also who makes the determination if the person is a child molester? The CONGREGATION, and how does the congregation make that determination? Do they report the matter to the police? Do they refer you to the good policy in the 1-12-00 British regarding making that determination? No, it is completely ignored and instead you are directed to reference the 97-boe letters, which give definition of how to determine a "known" child molester. What does that letter say about how you determine that? Read as follows:
WHO IS A 'KNOWN CHILD MOLESTER '?
"Rather, we are referring, for example, to situations in which it is established by a congregation judicial committee that an adult brother or sister has been guilty of sexually abusing a young child or has been sexually involved with a nonconsenting minor who is approaching adulthood."
So the question is, who establishes a "known" child molester? A congregation judicial committee, not the police. After all it is a "known" child molester only, who cannot be an elder or have privileges for a few years. How do you establish a judicial committee? First you have to have a basis to do so. As the 6-1-01 letter plainly states, a confession or two eye witnesses to the act. So when you look at what is stated I believe you have a change in British policy. You must first have an investigation; if the pedophile lies and you do not have two witnesses what are you directed to do? 6-1-01 states:
"There are, however, many other situations that are connected with the abuse of a child. For example, there may be just one eyewitness, and the brother denies the allegation. (Deuteronomy 19:15; John 8:17) Or, he may be under active investigation by the secular authorities for alleged child abuse though the matter has not yet been established." 'In these and similar cases no entry will be made on the Child Protection List. Rather, information should be kept in a sealed envelope in the congregation’s confidential file as described below. When such individuals move, the Congregation Service Committee should write a letter addressed to the Society’s Legal Department seeking advice as to whether to communicate the details to the new congregation."
No direction to report to police but an off hand statement that he may be under investigation by the authorities. Shouldn't all cases of reported child molestation be under investigation? Not according to this letter, you put it in a sealed envelope and don't tell anyone. The information is not even forwarded to the next congregation. That paragraph describes 90% of child molesters, that is, you will not have two eyewitnesses and they will lie about it. They are "unknown" child molesters, which make up 90% of child molesters within the organization.
So to get back to the original statement, the 6-1-01-boe letter was a policy change, you brothers have not studied it close enough to see the subtle adjustment. That is, the CONGREGATION determines if a person is a "known" child molester. If the CONGREGATION determines the person is an "unknown" child molester no one is informed with information kept in sealed files. This is now very similar to USA policy. Elders are clearly instructed to call WT Legal as here in the USA. WT Legal instructs you not to report the matter, what are you going to do? You are not allowed to think or decide what is morally right, WT Legal does it for you and if you do not obey, your time as elder will be short.
I served as an elder for many years and did not give a thought to what WT policy actually was. Till I became personally involved with a victim did I begin to study closely what WT policy directed elders to do. When I tried to disprove my conclusions by actually dealing with Service and Legal, it was terribly disappointing, they confirmed my worst fears.
You brothers in England in my opinion have been hoodwinked, the change has been made and you do not even know it. Just wait till you call Wt Legal and ask for direction on a molestation issue, then your education will begin. I hope you can prove me wrong, because if you can, it will mean something better for the children. If not, what are you willing to commit to for the protection of children?
Not one more day should pass with this bogus farce known as WT policy, it must change and people within are going to have to stand up for it to happen.
To say, "wait on Jehovah" for policy to change is a non-statement, you could as easily say, "eat shxt and die" they are interchangeable, yet this is what witnesses are saying about taking positive action to protect children. There is no "waiting" when it comes to doing what is morally and ethically right.
