I got thinking today about how the WTS had been settling out of court with confidentiality agreements. Could the reason for this not only be of benefit to the Wt but also to the victim. In this country it is quite common for the events of a sex abuse case to be suppressed or for the accused to be given name suppression,because to do so would also identify the victim. Perhaps the Wt legal team realised this, and explained to the victim that by not having a suppression clause could also be bad in identifying the victim and re-victimising him. The case would be open to everyone, and I could understand the victim not wanting to be dragged through this. For the watchtower to have offered it the victim must of willingly accepted it. BTW I'm not trying to stick up for Wt shoddy practices or trying to belittle the victim. I'm not a lawyer either. Just my thoughts today.
Settling out of court for child abuse
by joe134cd 3 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
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Band on the Run
The benefit to the victim is cash up front. Litigation wears people down. You are never certain of a win. Testimony at trial can retraumaize an indvidual. The WT benefits from no public record. It knows its liability. Courts are so back logged with cases that settlements are encouraged. Settlements are easier for a lawyer than going to trial. Some people don't want a case to be pending for years on end.
To offer a settlement, one must fear a negative outcome. Most of the 9/11 victims decided to take the federally funded program rather than sue in court. They needed money for present expenses. This past week Cantor Fitzgerald, who lost about 1,000 employees, reached a settlement with one of the airlines. Only the wealthiest families could afford to wait and sue. I recall reading that a trial would probably result in a much larger award.
A lot of people want to sue the WT here. It is not fun to sue someone. Both parties find it a bad experience.
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?evrything
I know people want to save face and all but geesh if we had more Contis then we could overthrow this regime.
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LostGeneration
Perhaps the Wt legal team realised this.
Not only have they realized this, it is their absolute goal in 100% of the cases that are brought against them. Most are hushed up quickly and quietly, its extremely rare to have a victim with the "balls" Conti had, to go the distance.
I believe on Barb Anderson's site she wrote that hundreds of cases were settled up for just a few thousand bucks, I'll try to find that reference.
Its the disgusting underbelly of the WTS that they are trying to keep under wraps no matter what. Thus the instruction to elders to "CALL LEGAL" comes before calling the police.