Just Heard Some Shocking News

by jookbeard 106 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  llbh

  The WTS have not behaved impeccably, they have only reacted after very detailed investigation by the Charities Commission, and press coverage. The fact that had no child protection policies in place is at best incompetent, and quite possibly culpable; either way victims - and they surely are the prime concern for any Trustee/Elder - were and are re victimised; that is deplorable.

  It is amazing that they do not perform CRB checks on a routine basis as pointed by the CC. It is both hubricious and innately wrong to behave in such a manner toward the vulnerable within the congregations.

  Pod I think you will find besty knows a lot of the area(s) referred to, as does sweetpea , hi missus, ( hi to you both).

  David
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  Podobear

  As I have said David: My concern is for Jook' and his family alone. The issues were flogged three years ago... I live on top of this smouldering bomb. The devestation caused by this Monster is on my doorstep.

  The issue for me here is that he is now on Jook's patch and Jook is very sore over his treatment by the Local (Wimbledon) Elders. Why poke a stick in the wasp nest? SHUN the evil.. that is all I am saying.

  As I understand it U.S State laws vary, and this has caused understandable rifts, because many States do not require Ministers to divulge such matters to the Public Justices. That is NOT the case in the United Kingdom. My Father, who remains an Elder to this day (appointed 1972) is absolute down the line on this issue. In fact, a young girl broke down in front of him when he called in field service and revealed that she was being sexually abused by her father. Dad followed the procedure he had been taught as an Elder and approached the appropriate authorities.

  When thing come to light, or are confessed... how do you know Besty that Mr Porter did not conceal his perverted crimes, and that his confession to the Elders invoked this procedure?

  Sorry, but I tend to think that a handful of badly managed cases are clouding the general picture of the procedures amongst JW congregations. I just don't want jook' to get hurt. He's a great guy with a wonderful little family.
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  cantleave

  Pod this man should not be around children at all. Regardless of hysteria, regardless of his feelings in the matter and regardless of UK law. There is no doubt that he did the things he is accused of so on that basis he is dangerous.

  The childrens school would not have him on the premises, no youth club would be keen to have him assist and he should not be allowed near childrens playgrounds or other places where children congregate.

  The issue is that in these places of worship children are even more vulnerable and trusting of adults. That means that we have to be scrupulous in making sure that they are right to place trust in the elders. The elders are just men with no special insights or training. However well meaning they are they are not equipped for this and it is unfair to expect them to police this man. The fact that he appeared relaxed at a public meeting shows that he is already comfortable within that environment and that people are comfortable with him.

  The procedure is flawed we should be prudent enough to protect the flock before the event rather than applaud how well we deal with it after.
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  sherah

  The issue is that in these places of worship children are even more vulnerable and trusting of adults. That means that we have to be scrupulous in making sure that they are right to place trust in the elders. The elders are just men with no special insights or training. However well meaning they are they are not equipped for this and it is unfair to expect them to police this man. The fact that he appeared relaxed at a public meeting shows that he is already comfortable within that environment and that people are comfortable with him.

  The procedure is flawed we should be prudent enough to protect the flock before the event rather than applaud how well we deal with it after.

  Right on Cantleave!

  Podobear - My concern is for Jook' and his family alone

  I'm not getting that vibe. The majority of your posts center on drawing attention to the JW's and the elders handling of pedophiles in your area.
• 

  besty

  podobear - hi - i used to live in London - in a neighboring congregation to Delroy Grant - remember him? linked to 200 sex attacks and so far charged with 11 -

  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/6584005/Delroy-Grant-charged-over-night-stalker-serial-sex-attacks.html

  just wow - how many weirdos are there in the JW brotherhood? (see Peter Sutcliffe and Baby P stepfather Steven Barker for details - 2 of the most hated men in the UK)

  anyways - before being DF'd we were very good friends with Jook's sister and her husband.

  prior to that I lived in Finchley - 5 mins from London Mill Hill KH and Bethel and had numerous Bethel friends. I've met Bevan Vigo, John Andrews, Dennis Dutton and Ron Drage. Anybody on the Branch Committe I've missed?

  Now we have my irrelevant geography and connections out the way, back to the issue at hand.

  how do you know Besty that Mr Porter did not conceal his perverted crimes, and that his confession to the Elders invoked this procedure?

  Porter 'confessed' when one of his victims threatened to go to the police. He was obviously overcome with remorse after 15 years of raping and terrorising children and babies. Not.

  http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/aug/24/ukcrime.stevenmorris

  So if the elders called the cops upon his 'confession', then thats great, but it seems the victim pressing the issue was the primary factor here. The fact is he was able to operate with impunity for so long indicates a systemic problem, which was the reason the CC involved the WTBTS and instructed them to CREATE a robust child protection policy for every congregation in the UK.

  You seem well acquainted with the details of the 24 charges he pled guilty to but your concern for Jooks safety seems somewhat of a red herring to me.

  The issue here is not Jooks safety, but that the WTBTS have a culture and policies that are misaligned with what is best for protecting children from abusers.

  And distasteful as perverts like Porter are, its the WTBTS with its dangerous policies that provides an environment for them to operate in. He was a Trustee of the most prominent congregation in the UK and escaped detection for 15 years - just how ineffective are their policies?
• 

  jamiebowers

  According to all "Christian" religions, God forgives the repentant sinner, even for the most heinous crimes.. if the person "turns around".

  Yes, but most of them aren't obligated to go door to door exposing children in the general population to a filthy pedophile. And most Christian religions do not have a long history of covering up for such vile creatures and still not do the right thing by coming forward with public apologies and compensation such as was done by the Catholic Church.

  Clam, why not refer the journalists to silentlambs.org and watchtowerdocuments.com for the true history of he Watchtower and child molestation?

  Pod are you actually threatening Jockbeard and his family with this disgusting predator?
• 

  Podobear

  There is no need to be nasty, jamie.. that is not the point of my post. I AGREE with the observations Besty has made. I am not willing to accept Cantleave's offbeat comment about ignoring UK law.

  I am sure the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) is still under pressure from the Public and various arms of the judiciary to bring this for re-trial.

  Besty, since we are talking background here. I know that jook' knows you, we have spoken together on our mobiles and enjoyed putting the worlds to right. Equally I have issues with one of the names in your Rogue's Mall on the Branch Committee and was part of the Finchley congregation 1979-1982.

  Due process of Law has been carried out... I have not read the legal Bundle have you, Besty? The CPS is usually savage in obtaining its convictions.. justice will prevail, if indeed an error of judgment has been made. Meanwhile, all the "experts" are of the opinion that this man is contrite and able to mingle in public places under watchful eye. Of course, it is read Besty, that he will not be allowed to wander alone and unaccompanied in any arena where children are involved. UK law cracked down heavily in this area after the Soham girls were murdered by that Caretaker Freak.

  All that aside, I come back to my original concern for Juke' and his family... if the Predator does remain the threat that many here have judged him to be (and he may well be).. I would hate for Jook' to bring himself and his bairns into the limelight and sights of such evil scum. That is all.

  Now, if anyone here wants to lodge a protest to the heart of this issue here are two addresses for you to write to. At the same time you might like to ask about the compliance of the JW Elders with the due process of law.. Satisfy yourselves on this case.. as I have.

  www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

  Chief Constable Colin Port, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Valley Road, Portishead, BS20 8QJ

  or,

  Crown Prosecution Service, Froomsgate House, Rupert Street, Bristol, BS1 2QJ

  I assume the folks who are so vocal here will want to go straight for the jugular and file protest. Now you have the tools to do it.

  All the best, and YES... I am concerned the Jook protects his little ones from the evil eye that is now local to him. Spare a thought for those in recovery on my doorstep and the hand holding that has had to be done because of the beast that Is that was that.....???

  I look forward to a retrial and review of this case also.

  Podo

  PS: If you want to chew a bone on JW handling of another case here in Bristol look up the case of EUNICE SPRY. That case churned my stomach just as much, and it was brought before the Justices around the same time.

  ,
• 

  CandleSurgeon

  Wow I just came across this thread. I read the link that blondie posted on page 1 of this thread and I literally feel sick on my stomach. How blind and twisted the JW's have to be to trust their children with this predator.

  Sickening...
• 

  llbh

  Pod, I have only met Jook once, my post was less about him and more about how the WTS deals with paedophiles and the policies that they have in place to protect them. As has been posted by besty, the WTS has only put serious protection policies in place at the very strong recommendations of CC a ( usually) benign and non interfering body.The attitude of the WTS speaks volumes about incompetence and a laissez faire attitude to victims.

  As to the due process of law being carried out, that is only because in recent times The Home Secretary has gained the power to review sentences in exceptional circumstances, and guess what, he viewed this as one such. The input of The WTS was sweet FA .

  The society is leaving themselves wide open to a law suit because of its attitude both past and present towards victims, the publicity alone will have a huge impact, and if enough people sue the damages could cripple them, as it has with The Catholic Church.

  David

  .
• 

  Podobear

  David: I am not here to argue the semantics of law in the UK. I have said just about all I can on my own position. I note that noone has picked up on the fact that my own Father has applied the training he has received as a result of all this fracass.

  As UK law stands, and until the case is re-tried (please God that it happens), Mr Porter has paid the penalty imposed and was dained to have been contrite and turned his life around. He walked free.

  I have expressed my own views about him as an individual, perhaps I should not have done. The facts is that as a result, systems HAVE been put in place and are being actioned.

  I don't condemn every Catholic because of past action of a perverted minority, so why should I condemn all JW's because systems and procedures were not in place in that arena either? Furthermore, given that Mr Porter is temporarily "Off the Hook".. how many times do I have to restate that I fear for Jook and his family if the current "Due process of Law" is not respected, and his own compound anxiety bubbles over in some way.

  This is a heartfelt plea, because this case, I believe is about to explode... big time.

  I have provided in my last comment two addresses for folks to refer to. If Silentlambs wants to give a loud shout, why not bombard Avon & Somerset Police and the Bristol CPS, and the legal buffs that hold the bundle.

  Watch that space.. and may the "Truth" come out.

  Podo.