Victoria, Australia: State Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious Organisations

by AndersonsInfo 26 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  AndersonsInfo

  VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA: State Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious Organisations

  The Victoria, Australia, State “Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Organisations,” including the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watch Tower Society, has officially commenced, with the last of the formal submissions being presented to the Inquiry committee on Friday, 21 September, 2012.

  A large number of submissions have been received by the Inquiry in relation to the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Watch Tower Society, their internal lawyer Vincent Toole and his law firm Vincent Toole Solicitors. Among those who have made submissions include both current and former members of the religion, as well as from people who have never been a part of the religion.

  It is understood that an 11 page submission was made by a young person, under the age of 18, from the Traralgon Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and deals with the failure of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watch Tower Society to comply with child protection laws.

  Another submission was lodged by a current inmate in one of Victoria’s prisons. This submission identifies and names up to 30 members of the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses involved in child abuse, including child rape, as well as the covering up of child abuse by senior leaders of the religion. Among the individuals identified are current elders, circuit overseers, and members of the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some of the allegations of child rape go back decades.

  In addition to the submissions, there have been at least three formal requests to publicly appear before the Inquiry to present evidence in relation to the systemic and systematic covering up of child abuse within the religion of Jehovah’ Witnesses. One of these requests is a group request from a large number of people wanting to appear to give their evidence before the Inquiry committee. It is understood that at least an entire day is being allocated to hear their verbal submission.

  A total of three submissions were made by Steven Unthank, two of which will require him to appear before the Inquiry committee to give evidence. One submission specifically deals with the breaches of the Working with Children Act 2005 and the criminal prosecution of the entire corporate and religious hierarchy of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watch Tower Society.

  In support of his submissions Steven Unthank has written and prepared a total of three separate submission documents totally 70 pages, 150- pages, and one totally over 500 pages. In addition to this, Unthank has provided a total of 60 supporting documents and statements totalling over 2000 pages, as well as a large collection of internal and confidential letters and documents from the Watch Tower Society. Also presented as evidence to the Inquiry Committee is a compete set of audio recordings of a secret child rape investigation which took place within one of the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Melbourne. In this investigation, the Watch Tower Society assembled a special interstate Judicial Investigating Team, which was then flown into Melbourne, Victoria, to conduct the investigation.

  To coincide with the launch of the Inquiry, Victoria Police have arrested a Jehovah’s Witness elder over the rape of a 12-year-old Jehovah’s Witness girl. Police are currently trying to ascertain whether there are other child rape victims. The elder is currently under suicide watch. He is expected to be formally charged in the next few days, of which charging will also result in his Working with Children Card being cancelled.
  
  Steven Unthank's submission letter re: appearing before the Inquiry to answer their questions will appear on a separate JWN post.

  Over the next few weeks several of these submissions will be released on the JW LEAKS web site:
  www.jwleaks.org

  The dedicated page will be entitled “Child Abuse Inquiry”

  www.jwleaks.wordpress.com/child-abuse-inquiry

  Anyone who wishes to following the Inquiry, or to read related information, are encouraged to go to the official web site:
  
  http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fcdc/article/1790
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  rip van winkle

  This is great information, Barbara! Thank you.
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  skeeter1

  Thanks. I should have read this thread first.
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  nuthouse escapee

  Thanks Barbara. It is great that this inquiry is taking place. Modern means of communication are certainly making it easier to expose the injustice done to victims of abuse. They can't just sweep it under the carpet and expect it to go away. Hopefully more victims will speak out and be motivated to pursue prosecution of the guilty. (the perp & those covering it up). The victims are realizing how huge this problem is within the WT org. and that they are not an anomaly. Leslie
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  finallysomepride

  thanks Barbara
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  Scott77

  The great things about the inquiry system of work is that, it tends to attract countrywide mass media attention including citizen protests. Iam surprised by the substantial volume of submission by Steve Unthank. I think this looks good and very encouraging.

  Scott77
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  cedars

  Thanks Barbara, this is fantastic news - although sad to hear of more victims. It's difficult to believe that this Inquiry would ever have come about if it wasn't for Steven's tireless efforts.

  I wish him well.

  Cedars
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  nugget

  It is good to know that all Steve's work has had such a positive result. This is such an important issue and it is essential that children who are taught to trust the religious leadership absolutely are protected from being abused bu them.

  This also highlights that this is not an isolated case but a deep rooted problem within the organisation and although it has had a lot of exposure in Australia and the US it is not isolate to these locations.
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  smiddy

  Thanks for posting this Barbara , I see Steven Unthank has put something on twitter about this also,.And it`s also on FB.

  "A total of three submissions were made by Steven Unthank, two of which will require him to appear before the Inquiry committee to give evidence."

  "One submission specifically deals with the breaches of the Working with Children Act 2005 and the criminal prosecution of the entire corporate and religious hierarchy of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watch Tower Society."

  You may recall Steven Unthank took the WTB&TS to court over the Traralgan Congregations ( and elsewhere ) refusal to get a working with children card , putting children of Jehovah`s Witnesses at risk.

  With all these other submissions against the Jehovah`s Witnesses , maybe justice will be served . ( though I wont hold my breath )

  smiddy
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  Calebs Airplane

  Barbara wrote:

  To coincide with the launch of the Inquiry, Victoria Police have arrested a Jehovah’s Witness elder over the rape of a 12-year-old Jehovah’s Witness girl. Police are currently trying to ascertain whether there are other child rape victims. The elder is currently under suicide watch. He is expected to be formally charged in the next few days, of which charging will also result in his Working with Children Card being cancelled.Any one know the name of this elder?