BluesBrother: ....If they are co-operating ,have they turned the record of the J C over to the Police? Are the committee members going to testify to what was said at the meeting?
Well, the Canadian elders might be in hot water quite quickly for not reporting. Not only that, but the net sweeps wider here than in Australia.
In Canada, mandatory reporting applies to everybody, with professionals being held to a higher standard. But, regardless, everyone must report suspected abuse allegations. In Australia, where the JWs did not report, they are using the differing mandatory reporting laws from each province as an excuse, but they will not be able to do that in Canada. Under Canadian law, anybody - which would include ALL congregation members, elders or not - in the JW congregations who are aware of suspected child abuse, and didn't report it, could be held accountable.
From http://cwrp.ca/faqs
Do I need to report child abuse and neglect?
Yes. Everyone has a duty to report child abuse and neglect under Canadian child welfare laws. Professionals who work with children and youth have an added responsibility to report.
You are obliged to report child maltreatment if you know or suspect it is occurring. This is called the 'duty to report'. Every person in Canada has the duty to report known or suspected child maltreatment by law.
