Great post, bliss, how've you been?
Jehovahs Witnesses care for victims of child abuse RELEASE
by NotaNess 19 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
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avengers
During the last 100 years, only eleven elders have been sued for child abuse in thirteen lawsuits filed in the United States.
only 11 ? have been sued, but how many cases were swept under the carpet? Can you imagine sweeping this under their carpet?
Anyway. The Wt is truly showing their true colors here.
The truth is,, Check this out.
Andy
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sf
http://www.jw-media.org/region/global/english/backgrounders/e_molestation.htm
Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection
Child abuse is abhorrent to us. This is in harmony with the principle recorded at Romans 12:9. Even one abused child is one too many. For decades The Watchtower and Awake! have featured articles to educate both Witnesses and the public regarding the importance and the need to protect children from child abuse. Among others, there was the article "Let Us Abhor What Is Wicked!" published in the January 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower ; "Help for the Victims of Incest" in the October 1, 1983, Watchtower,"Your Child Is in Danger!", "How Can We Protect Our Children?", and "Prevention in the Home", all in the October 8, 1993, Awake!, as well as "Child Molesting—Every Mother's Nightmare," in the January 22, 1985, Awake!
When any one of Jehovah's Witnesses is accused of an act of child abuse, the local congregation elders are expected to investigate. Two elders meet separately with the accused and the accuser to see what each says on the matter. If the accused denies the charge, the two elders may arrange for him and the victim to restate their position in each other's presence, with elders also there. If during that meeting the accused still denies the charges and there are no others who can substantiate them, the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time. Why not? As a Bible-based organization, we must adhere to what the Scriptures say, namely, "No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin . . . At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good." (Deuteronomy 19:15) Jesus reaffirmed this principle as recorded at Matthew 18:15-17. However, if two persons are witnesses to separate incidents of the same kind of wrongdoing, their testimony may be deemed sufficient to take action.
However, even if the elders cannot take congregational action, they are expected to report the allegation to the branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses in their country, if local privacy laws permit. In addition to making a report to the branch office, the elders may be required by law to report even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to the authorities. If so, we expect the elders to comply. Additionally, the victim may wish to report the matter to the authorities, and it is his or her absolute right to do so.
If, when confronted, the accused confesses that he is guilty of child abuse, the elders take appropriate congregational action. If he is not repentant, he will not be permitted to remain a member of the congregation. Even if he is repentant—is cut to the heart and is thus resolutely determined to avoid such conduct in the future—what was stated in the January 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower applies. The article said: "For the protection of our children, a man known to have been a child molester does not qualify for a responsible position in the congregation. Moreover, he cannot be a pioneer [full-time missionary of Jehovah's Witnesses] or serve in any other special, full-time service." He would not qualify Scripturally. (1 Timothy 3:2, 7-10) We take such action because we are concerned with maintaining Bible standards and protecting our children. Everyone in our organization is expected to meet the same requirements, namely, to be clean physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually.—2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Thessalonians 2:4.
In a few instances, individuals guilty of an act of child abuse have been appointed to positions within the congregation if their conduct has been otherwise exemplary for decades. All the factors are considered carefully. Suppose, for example, that a long time ago a 16-year-old boy had sexual relations with a consenting 15-year-old girl. Depending upon the U.S. jurisdiction where he lived when this happened, elders may have been required to report this as an incident of child abuse. Let us say that 20 years have passed. The child abuse reporting law may have changed; the man may have even married the girl! Both have been living exemplary lives and they are respected. In such a rare case, the man could possibly be appointed to a responsible position within the congregation.
Our procedures have been refined over time. Over the years, as we have noted areas where our policies could be strengthened, we have followed through. We are continuing to refine them. We do not believe that our system is perfect. No human organization is perfect. But we do believe that we have a strong, Bible-based policy on child abuse. Anyone in a responsible position who is guilty of child abuse would be removed from his responsibilities without hesitation. We certainly would not knowingly allow him to serve elsewhere, either because he moved or through a transfer.
The Bible teaches that individuals can repent of their sins and "turn to God by doing works that befit repentance," and we accept what the Bible says. (Acts 26:20) Still, the safety of our children is of the utmost importance. We take it very seriously.
Copyright © 2003 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.
It's 2008 TED. Get with it brother! Time to revise and update.
Perhaps I could suggest the header...
"We LIED!"
sKally
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BLISSISIGNORANCE
Thanks sf for the article. Avishai..............always nice to hear from you! things are good here. what about you? I still get angry when i read anything the WTS writes on child sexual abuse, i see straight through it. it's just words. so glad to be out! (-: love to all cheers, bliss
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uninformed
SF--Good quote: (this was in your quote:)
If the accused denies the charge, the two elders may arrange for him and the victim to restate their position in each other's presence, with elders also there.
One little kid, little girl or little boy, facing a perpetrator that had previously told them he will kill them and their parents if they squeal, and 3-5 "ELDERS" that don't believe a thing kids say.
now that's what I call FAIR.
Brant
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metaspy
Let's also remember that in lawyer speak in order for an elder to be considered "sued", it actually has to hit the courts.
therefore, settling out of court does not count as being sued.
Hmmmm, I wonder how many JWs know that? -
NotaNess
Thanks everybody.--
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IT Support
During the last 100 years, only eleven elders have been sued for child abuse in thirteen lawsuits filed in the United States. In seven of these lawsuits against the elders, accusations against the Watchtower Society itself were dismissed by the courts.
It's astonishing that WT ADMITS that in 6 out of the 13 cases (46%) the allegations against the Society were PROVED.
That's a devastating batting average!
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hamsterbait
Only 11 elders sued in 100 years.
The operative word is SUED.
Are they referring to elders taken to court and sued by the victim or the victims parents. ie a lawsuit against an individual seeking compensation from the said elder?
Are they saying only 11 elders sued in one particular locale in 100 years - for example New york Bethel or "Apple Pie County" Pennsylvania? or in just one congregation - if this is the case the possible extrapolation of numbers becomes alarming.
How many elders have not been sued, but CHARGED by the police for a felony, tried in court and found GUILTY - more than 11 as anybody here can ascertain.
How many Ministerial Servants have been CHARGED and sent to prison.
How many R&F charged and found guilty and sent to prison?
HOW MANY?? Notwithstanding the monotonous "personal testimonies" of congo members, saying over and over "he is active in the preaching work, and therefore a fine upstanding witless"??
We know how many were compensated and gagged by the Witchtower babble and Trash Soc in California.
These are weasel words, and need to be read and pondered very carefully.
I want to know specifically WHICH cases dismissed accusations against the WT and why.
I want to know the results of the cases anyhow. were they successful resulting in either prosecution or compensation?
They are talking like the legal department reptiles.
HB
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Awakened at Gilead
11 lawsuits with elders... what about MS's?
And how come there are over 6,000 silent lambs?
The WTS finally said something I can agree with:
No human organization is perfect.
Wow... They finally recognized that tehy are a human organization when it comes to abuse. Does this mean they aren't led by God's spirit anymore?
A@G