VERY CONFIDENTIAL LETTER - Child abuse 10/01/2012

by WatchTower87 53 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  committeechairman

  OnTheWayOut:

  I won't presume to tell you how to feel about this. I only offered the information to give additional insight. I can still see how having to call the branch might appear to hinder reporting to the authorities, but I can say that the branch office did nothing other than encourage us to report it right then and cooperate with any follow up.

  I will say that the main reason for us calling in was to (1) make sure we were in compliance with local laws - no mention ever of protecting the corporation and (2) make sure there is a record of the incident so that if this comes up in another congregation or later on someone knows what is going on.
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  Band on the Run

  Notice that they are not budging from the facts of the Conti cases. No notice is given to the congregation. Service privileges are not ruled out. The scientific data shows that the drive is strong. The letter does not protect the congregation or small children. They will have no idea what happened. Two parties have competing interests. A person known to be a sexual predator vs. children unable to protect themselves. The Society repeatedly places the advantage with the sexual predator. Notice how sex predators on state warning lists are still sought out as Witnesses. This is gross. In other words, the Society wants them as Jehovah's Witnesses.
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  Gayle

  The Candace Conti case (started 1/28/11) and judgement was 9/17/12 . This letter, copy, is dated Oct 12, 2012. The letter states,, The branch office, not the local body of el-ders, determines whether an individual who has sexually abused children in the past will be considered a “predator.”

  Wow, the audacity after having lost that court case.!! Candace Conti case went to Appeals Court, set up 9/25/12. Hopefully, a copy of this letter was received by her lawyer as soon as possible.

  cc,,thank you for your report indicating a bit of a change 'now' by the WTS. But it may be that you are in a U.S. state ('hot' state for them), that has firm laws on this issue, and the WTS well knows it. Then, the WTS only modified their policy on this, only because of legal laws now, nothing to do with 'new light' from Jehovah. But, what if in a another state or another country such laws are not so defined, then, we can surmise that the WTS gives a different message there.
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  hamsterbait

  They are not concerned that a MINOR is a "willing " participant??

  WTF?

  The courts have long rejected the defence that a youngster below age of consent was "gagging" for it.

  If you do it with a minor it is a crime - no matter how much you were begged or coerced. CRIME - therefore, like murder, it should be reported!

  There is one case on Silentlambs.org, where a little girl was molested, and the elders actually wanted to know if she had "led him on." (Obviously the little slut was gagging for it)

  But then the infamous "Murder Letter" to a Florida congo shows that in Witchtower la la Land even taking a life can be hushed up.

  Also - bear in mind that if a molestor moves to another congo, the Beth Hell decides whether or not he is a "known" child molestor ("predator"), and decides whether the elduhs should tell the next congregation or NOT(!!) So they have it in their hands to protect the children of oblivious parents at another kingdumb hell or NOT.

  Sorry - I amend my criticism somewhat - paragraph 13 says the elders should meet with the parents of minor children and warn them of the danger. This never happened before.

  HB
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  clarity

  1. The word "should" gives a lot of leeway.

  A more fitting word...MUST...would show that the abuse

  of children is taken very seriously!

  But gb does not use must in this case!

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  2. This letter misdirects the practice of "sin" as to being

  from the world .........but not from within their very midst!

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  3. The watchtower society does not seem to recognize

  that abusing/raping/threatening a child IS A CRIME!

  A crime that MUST be reported & stopped!

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  9. As spiritual shepherds, elders should continue to make every effort to protect all in the congregation, especially children, from the unwholesome practices of the world. (Isa. 32:1, 2) One of these is child sexual abuse. We abhor the sexual abuse of children and will not protect any perpe-trator of such repugnant acts from the consequences of his gross sin. (Rom. 12:9) Elders should take seriously their responsibility in this matter so that the congregations will be safeguarded from any valid accusation of neglect in protecting children from sexual abuse.

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  clarity

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  humbled

  The obvious reason the congregation elders do not first call the police is to maintain the first rule of being faithful: Do nothing that would let others believe that initiative is yours. Do NOTHING unless told to do it--even if it is right or legal--unless the BIG brothers say you should.
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  confusedandalone

  The problem here is that you have to let them know first. There WILL BE certain cases that will not go as smoothly as committee chairman's situation went. If the letter stated... contact the authorities first AND THEN CONTACT the branch it would show they were:

  1. Concewrned more about the flock than themselves

  2. Were not trying to hide or have control of the matter.

  Think how foolish it is to call them first if under every circumstance they will just tell you that it is ok to contact the police then hang up the phone
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  Tiktaalik

  Are you still an elder, committechairman?

  You don't seem to understand that the problem is about control. The letter reveals that the wts's primary motive is not to protect children at risk, nor the wider congregation, it is about controlling the information.

  You trumpet that the society told you to call the authorities immediately as if it that's a good thing. Well durrrr! You are indoctrinated and still trying to protect the name of the wts. You are a true company man. So you have to call the boss first, who then oks you to call the police. As confusedandalone says above this is just foolish.

  This letter is vile and creepy. So many references to the all powerful controlling Service Dept as being the arbiter in all matters, not the local authorities, nor even the local elders. That the society's first response in these matters is legalistic, rather than humanitarian, reveals much.

  If you are still an elder, then you are part of the structure enabling this perverted and repulsive situation to continue.
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  minimus

  CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL!!!

  The elders cannot say one is a "predator". Only the Branch can.....lol
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  prologos

  band on the run, : did the letter not say to put the adress of state-reported sexual offenders

  on the DO NOT CALL LIST on the territory cards?, not to try to recruit them?