All allegations is exactly that ALL. Priests, ministers, elders, and even counselors simply often do not have the training or resources to investigate crimes. This is not to say that the police always make the best use of those that they have. Yet they are by far better equipped. If an allegation is made to them, is it really any different than making it to the police? Emphatically yes.
One is that people are often more comfortable with their religious leaders. Let them go first to them, not just for this but other moral matters. Then let the minister give them good healthy advice. Go to the police. Or Get a lawyer. Or call an accountant. Or see a counselor. Or call the computer repair guy. I dont care what the situation is, a qualified professional, including a minister, should be professional enough to know where their skill stops, and where anothers must be utilized instead.
And that is the second point, the police are far more qualified to investigate cases of alleged child abuse. Then to do something about it. Do they always? No my dad was out in two years. Still, it is on record now.
As far as it becoming a witchhunt? Boofeckinhoo. You want me to play violins? Notice I am not shedding a single tear. The average molester will molest seventy, count em, SEVENTY children in their lifetime as a molestor. With the large numbers of molesters that are out there, it is easy to realize that many of the people you know were molested in their childhoods. And many of the children you know might be molested right now.
I am Amoral, sex, drugs, war, theft, murder. I do not consider these things inherently wrong. There is one thing I do, and that is the abuse, neglect, and anguish perpetrated upon children. Call me a bleeding heart. But if some adults suffer along the way so be it.
I myself still hug my neices. But I dont like other men to, because I do not trust them. One fella my sister was dating would let them climb up on his lap after a bath, even if they had shed their towels! I would have to go pull them down and get them dressed. And this happened even after I complained about it.
There are things you can do to protect yourself as an adult, from a false accusation. Dont be alone with kids. Fine. Always know where you are. If you have to be alone with kids, have a camera running, stay online or on the phone with someone, whatever.
But pardon I am not going to shed tears over the claim that all crimes, should be reported to the police, or all alleged crimes. Let them sort it out. Contrary to belief they dont go arresting everyone accused, they investigate. Which is the entire reason we want them reported.