Does the royal commission have the power to force the Jws to change how abuse is handled?

hoser

I'm wondering if this is just a hearing or if this commission has teeth?

Some very damning things coming out nonetheless

From a scan of the terms of reference (http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/about-us/terms-of-reference) I don't believe it has any authority to force change but there are clearly conclusions and recommendations that will come out of the process.

It will be interesting to note any comparisons that may be made about the WTS v other institutions, not just about historical processes but also about what has been done over the past decades to improve processes and what should be done in the future.

There will be many organisations that will have a dubious track record but it will be very telling what conclusions are made as to where the WTS stands now in comparison to other similar institutions.

C0ntr013r

I don't know, but the fact that they can force Branch Committee members to the stand indicates that they have some sort of "motivational" power.

I remember Doug Jackson reassuring the court:

"It is not that I don't want to answer the question, it is just that I don't remember"

I amuse this was because showing contempt for the court would be a criminal offence.

But forcing the watchtower to change policies would be an entirely different story...

truthseeker100

Does the royal commission have the power to force how jws deal with how child abuse is handled. Yes! Threaten tax exempt status and the JWs will fall right into line with secular leadership.

Island Man

I think they have that power indirectly. By that I mean that the findings of the commission can influence sweeping reform to Australia's laws regarding the responsibilities of institutions to report child abuse. Such national laws in turn, will force Watchtower to update its policies so as to comply or face the religion being stripped of its charity or religious status and black listed as a harmful group.

Giordano

A lot of people are learning that not only do the JW'S have a pedophile problem but that they have harmful policies that in effect aid the pedophile. These numbers are appalling and prove that the JW's are not protecting the children. As the public gets involved...... Law makers will respond by making it mandatory to report these issues directly to the proper authorities so they can be investigated. Failure to do so so will result in loss of Charity status.

The WTBT$ will amend their rules to comply. It's not antagonizing the public or protecting children that will motivate them....... it's keeping their tax status and properties intact.

DarioKehl

JWs are attention whores. They are proud to be known for their annoying habit of waking people up on weekends, they are proud of their deadly blood doctrine and now they'll be proud for "standing firm" in their handling of pedos. Everything that is awful and unpopular about the cult is twisted and molded into a badge of honor.

"nope! not changin'; bible says 2 eyewitnesses are required." (pats self on back)

they're the bratty red-headed step child with ADHD: even BAD attention is still attention. That's all they want. Look--they're in the top 10 yahoo search trends today. They don't care WHY. It's free product placement for them. "What a fine witness!"

fuck this disgusting cult right in the mouth.

oppostate

I can see the WT throwing elders under the bus and blaming them for mishandling sexual child abuse cases, making it appear to the rant & file that the Organization didn't share blame. Sort of like a 1975-we-didn't-say-that situation. I think the vast majority will just go along and parrot the idea firmly convinced that the JW religion is God's organization but it's some imperfect men/elders who mishandled cases, and that now they know better and have been corrected.

The WT hierarchy is quite slippery and slimy knowing how to avoid blame.

zeb

A Royal Commission will make strong recommendations to the Federal Government (in this case) which it will be well advised to follow.

OrphanCrow

Justice McClellan’s statement on redress and civil litigation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiiDnR-bBcY