ARC recommendations. Read for yourselves
by zeb 22 Replies latest jw friends
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The Fall Guy
THE FAILURE to REPORT OFFENCE
We recommend the introduction of a new criminal offence of failure to report targeted at child sexual abuse in an institutional context (recommendation 33).
We recommend that the offence should apply:
• to any adult who owns or manages or who is a staff member or volunteer of a relevant institution, or who otherwise requires a Working with Children Check clearance for their role – but not to individual foster carers or kinship carers
• in relevant institutions, including institutions that operate facilities or provide services to children in circumstances where the children are in the care, supervision or control of the institution. The offence would be committed if the person fails to report to police in circumstances where they know, suspect, or should have suspected that an adult associated with the institution was sexually abusing or had sexually abused a child.
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zeb
The knowledge of this will be released and considered in all British Commonwealth countries. NY bethel will start to feel the heat me thinks.
More comments please.
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Xanthippe
The report recommends making failure to report child sexual abuse in institutions a criminal offence. This recommendation extends to information given in religious confessions. Clergy should not be able to refuse to report because the information was received during confession.
Wow at last, elders won't be able to use the 'clergy confessional ' excuse in Australia if this becomes law. Brilliant!
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AndersonsInfo
"As part of 85 recommendations for reform of the criminal justice system, the commission also wants the current law changed to facilitate more admissibility and cross-admissibility of tendency and coincidence evidence and more joint trials in child abuse matters.
The commissioners also recommended expanding laws – which differ between states and territories – around mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse or suspected abuse. They want those who should have known about the abuse to be held criminally accountable, rather than only those who knew or suspected abuse was occurring but did not go to authorities."
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Vidiot
Bit by bit, the privileged status of organized religion is being eroded in the developed world.
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cofty
or who otherwise requires a Working with Children Check clearance for their role...
But is anybody in the cult going to be required to obtain a Working with Children Check or will they continue to hide behind the claim that they don't work with children?
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jwleaks
cofty - or who otherwise requires a Working with Children Check clearance for their role...
But is anybody in the cult going to be required to obtain a Working with Children Check or will they continue to hide behind the claim that they don't work with children?
On 26 July 2011 the prosecution of the JW leaders and Watchtower commenced in the Magistrate's Court of Victoria, Australia, over the refusal of the religion to comply with the mandatory Working with Children (WWC) Check. Seven months the case lasted before the court. The JW leaders were facing potential prison sentences.
The net result of this action has been that all 7,000 elders and ministerial servants have been forced to comply with the WWC as well as several thousand pioneers and publishers who preach to or study with children.
Changes to the laws in Australia, which are currently underway, and the new recommendations of the ARC will force all elders and publishers in all congregations to report child abuse to the authorities and not to Watchtower (i.e. Bethel). In this both Watchtower and the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses lose control and are relegated to being mere observers.
The power of veto of elder appointments in congregations will shift from the governing body and their defacto holy spirit to the government justice departments in that elders can only be apointed as elders with the approval of the justice departments via the issuing of a WWC card. No card no apointment. Further, any elder, ministerial servant or pioneer accused of any serious criminal offence will have their WWC card suspended until the case is heard. The elder or ministerial servant must be removed from their position within the congregation.
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cofty
That is excellent news! I bet they lost a few appointed men when that happened.
If only the UK would follow that example.
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jp1692
Good news, finally!
If only the US would follow that example!