Hello :o)
Thanks for that link Chelbie!
Does anyone have/can anyone obtain a bona fide list from the WTBTS legal department of all those states where the WTBTS *believes* there to be mandatory reporting? I have searched the official site and drawn a blank.
If a list was available from them - and based on the very (and possibly intentionally) vague statements they have made to the media, there MUST be one within the organisation from which they offer *advice* to elders -this would enable a comparison to be made with state published reporting requirements to see whether the WTBTS is in fact incorrectly claiming *clergy privilege*, or whether they are only advising reporting in those states where *all persons* are required by law to report.
Whilst searching the site, the following caught my eye:
"However, if molestationand especially incestis discovered to have occurred, two things must be done immediately:
First, the childand other children toomust be protected from any further abuse. This must be done, whatever the cost. In many cases the accused molester will have to be confronted. But whatever it takes, it is important that the child should feel confident that the molester will never be able to get at her (or him) again.
Second, the child must be given a lot of love and emotional support. Parents must make it very clear that the little victim is not to blame. The crime and anything that happens as a result of iteven if a close relative goes to prisonis not her (or his) fault. But that reassurance will have to be given many times, so that the victim comes to believe itand to believe that the parents believe it too!" Awake Jan 22, 1985
Is this information from their published literature of any use to Barbara and Bill?