Have Jehovah`s Witnesses Really Complied With The Law In The State Of Victoria Aust.?With Regard to "Working With Children Checks."?

by smiddy 21 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  smiddy

  I have my doubts that they have.My understanding is that only a select few such as elders have got wwcc after years of non compliance.I dont think the rank and file , the majority of jehovahs witnesses going from door to door have obtained one , and if that is indeed the case , then they are still breaking the law.

  I would appreciate it if their is anyone in victoria who still attends meetings or knows anybody who does to either confirm or deny my claim.

  Last year on regional radio ABC Gippsland talkback radio host Celine Foenander dealt with the subject who has to obtain "Working with children checks" and many callers responded.One in particular stood out to me ,a self employed carpet cleaner had to obtain one before he could continue in his business simply because their could be children at home when he called.Their were many similar stories like that.I phoned up and explained to the switch girl about JW`s non compliance.They were very interested in what I had to say but sadly ran out of time and it didn`t go to air.

  I`m sure that if the government knew that every baptized jehovah`s witness was considered a minister of religion ,and are required to go door to door to spread their message , then every adult would be required to obtain a WWC check.

  I look forward to your comments

  smiddy
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  frankiespeakin

  I think this site may add something to the discussion:

  https://check.kids.nsw.gov.au/#are-you-volunteer

  http://kids.nsw.gov.au/kids/childsafeorganisations.cfm

  As an Organization that feels it is commision by God almighty to preach good news to save lives, and encourages obedience to governmental laws, one would think they would not need to be brought before a governmental agency and be forced to comply with such a reasonable demand envolving childrens safety.
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  Marvin Shilmer

  frankiespeakin,

  Those are interesting web links. Is there any definitive information of whether JWs would fall under “high risk roles” in need of the check, or would they need only complete the volunteer worker declaration document?

  Marvin Shilmer
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  steve2

  I got the impression - and I stress it is just an impression - that the legal bodies would prefer religious organizations to comply with the state law but they are a bit toothless to enforce it when there is a lack of compliance. They'd act on specific instances of alleged abuse or improper conduct, but otherwise the law is really "small potatoes" in the larger picture in the state of Victoria. To his credit, Mr Unthank has taken the authorities to task over why the law is conveniently ignored despite lots of noise about its importance.
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  Listener

  I was told by a JW living in Victoria that the elders and some others have been told to obtain the WWC certificate. I don't know who the 'some others' include.
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  mP

  Im really surprised the local current affairs programs who always seem to show other troubled job religions never concentrate on the pedophilia in the WTS. I know there have been the odd story, but they are too infrequent, especially when one knows there are dozens of examples to give. Given their tactic of finding some minority to target like dodgy trademeni dont get why they dont focus on the WTS and its pedophilia.
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  Quarterback

  I think that it's a great law. But, I don't think that it would be enforced on all JW's that go door to door. Can you imagine if it was?

  The Soc would have to maintain confidential records as to why some don't engage in the ministry, or why some must always be accompanied with someone.

  I wonder if Elders in Ontario must sign this form.
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  frankiespeakin

  With all the trouble with pedofiles inside religions molesting children this seems to be a good preventive measure, and sending out people to knock on doors where children might be home alone it is reasonable for the WT to have everyone checked to prevent this problem from happening. No pedofile should be sanctioned by the corporation to go door to door, to do otherwise shows a grave lack of concern by its CEOs.
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  smiddy

  Thanks to the links given by frankiespeakin which dealt with the state of NSW , I googled the govt. dept. of victoria and sent them an e-mail which went something like this :Hawkers who call at my door including religous people,do these people need to have "working with children checks ?" or am I being paranoid ,after all I dont know these people , they could be sex offenders for all I know.

  signed a concerned parent

  That e-mail was sent a couple of hours ago , when I get a reply,if ever I will pass it on.

  What I did notice on the govt.site is that their are exceptions , to getting a wwc check and i think that was one of the concerns with the talkback callers on the radio I mentioned who complained of inconsistencys about the law.

  smiddy
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  Marvin Shilmer

  -

  “I’m really surprised the local current affairs programs who always seem to show other troubled job religions never concentrate on the pedophilia in the WTS. I know there have been the odd story, but they are too infrequent, especially when one knows there are dozens of examples to give.”

  Newsworthiness is a calculation against a rating scale. From a broad sociological perspective things “Watchtower” are infinitesimal. The result: relatively infinitesimal news coverage.

  But search engines like Google have dramatically altered calculable exposure resulting from small news coverage just like Ebay has dramatically altered calculable exposure for small-time sellers. Accordingly I’d be more concerned with what happens when an individual Googles “Jehovah” and “Witness” than how much coverage any one news organization focuses on things Watchtower.

  Regarding the Unthank case, what would be very helpful is something Steve2 summarized in one succinct term: style. One day perhaps this whole episode will be presented in a style that is not so cumbersome to read and comprehend, along with details spelled out succinctly and in terms common to the average reader.

  Marvin Shilmer