Victoria, Australia: WTBTS and GB of JWs have shown themselves to be "GUILTY" respecting previous noncompliance with “Working With Children” Laws

by AndersonsInfo 38 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  ScenicViewer

  A question for Barbara or others.

  I'm probably being a little dense but there is something here that I haven't yet heard of.

  If I'm following this correctly, the 35 charges result from five Watchtower entities (4 corporations + the Faithful and Discreet Slave) being charged with 7 counts each.

  Then it says,

  "All charges are in relation to allegations of unlawful activities carried out within the Tarragon Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses by the entire Body of Tarragon Congregation Elders. In addition, there are approximately between 100-150 other sets of charges pending in relation to every single congregation in the State of Victoria."

  My Q is, what does one single congregation, Tarragon, and it's body of elders, have to do with this? Since this is a state wide issue in all of Victoria, why are all the charges related to that KH/Congrregation/BOE? Were there other "unlawful activities" besides failing to comply with the WWCA2005 law that involved only that congretation?

  (I hope I'm making the question clear)

  Regardless of my confusion on that point, this is GREAT news. I was afraid the Society would find some way to skirt the law, but this is satisfying. Thumbs up to Steven Unthank! And many thanks to Barbara Anderson and her contacts for all the updates.
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  Aussie Oz

  They will still try to find a way to avoid any penalties from the ongoing cases i am sure. Perhaps they hope the sudden compliance regarding elders will go some way to appease the law.

  I am sure the judge/s will not be so blind as to see the sudden change of heart as more than a desperate attempt to cover their own arses.

  However it still doesn't go as far as i understand it should, seeing that all baptised JWs are 'ordained ministers' by the WTs own mouth. maybe the judge will decide the elders are enough, who knows?

  If this is the only outcome of the case it will have been a great victory.

  oz
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  cantleave

  This is indeed is great news. I wonder if the organisation is begining to feel under pressure!
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  Aussie Oz

  The Watch Tower Society, the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Faithful and Discreet Slave, and the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, last week issued a "special" letter to ALL Bodies of Elders in the State of Victoria instructing them to immediately apply for their Working with Children licenses and to comply with child protection laws. The letter includes instructions that the contents are not to be made public or shared with members of the congregation.

  Barbara, can you confirm this: that all of the above issued the letter? If indeed the "Faithful and Discreet slave" were signatories or writers of a letter it would be very interesting would it not? This would also indicate that the slave was a prosecutable body rather than an unknown faceless uncounted and unconsulted group.

  OH, and i wonder if any Aussies will be at the court on the 11th?

  oz
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  brinjen

  This is awesome. I've wondered if there was anything brewing over as several states and territories and are changing their laws to combat the problem of child abuse. Here in the Northern Territory our mandatory notification laws changed in 2009. Now, anyone who is aware of domestic violence or has reason to believe a child is being abused is required by law to report this... haven't heard how they took to those changes.
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  Marvin Shilmer

  Super!

  Marvin Shilmer
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  Listener

  It would be interesting to see this letter that was sent to the elders. where is the information coming from that this was the case?

  I hate to say this but I worry that applying for the WWC will make no difference to the appointment of elders. If Bethel has sent a letter to the elders instructing them to apply for a WWC one would think it would also contain instructions of what to do if an elder was not able to obtain one. It is also claimed that they are not to make the instructions known to the R & F. It may be that they will still allow an elder to retain his position (and possibly advise him not to participate in the ministry school or any one on one activities with a child). It is possible that only Bethel and the elder/s will know that he does not have the certificate and it would only be up to a Government authority to do a close examination for any non compliance in the individual elders case. Bethel could still maintain their position that the individual elder was not working with children. Also as they see the positions of elders as being appointed by the 'holy spirit' they may feel it is applicable to uphold theocratic warfare and take the stand that God's will overrules any man made law in this case.

  So even if they are applying for the WWC the purpose of them being required to do so may be in vein.
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  AndersonsInfo

  I also have questions that need answering. My contacts are in the thick of things and have a complete view of the events but are not making themselves clear enough to me, hence the questions. (That's because my contacts are men and we know that men are not detail oriented like women are. )

  Perhaps I should have waited on posting, but with so much material coming in because of so much happening down under, if I wait, information gets lost in the shuffle. My attitude is that "it will all come out in the wash" and eventually we'll get it straight.

  I'll do my best to ask around and get back to this board with some answers.

  Barbara
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  Gayle

  That's okay, Barbara,,I like getting even little updates at a time on this case, bits and pieces are still so interesting.
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  tenyearsafter

  In addition to the fine being $144,000, I found that the number of charges for each "individual" charged was interesting...the symbolic heavenly perfection number of 7!