When mandated, wt reports one witness accusations in compliance with the related statute.
ARC - Case Study 54 - All Exhibits have been released
by jwleaks 347 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
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LoveUniHateExams
When mandated, wt reports one witness accusations in compliance with the related statute - this clearly isn't good enough.
Most 'worldly' organisations report any and all allegations of sex abuse straight to the proper authorities, mandatory reporting or not. Why is Watchtower so retarded re this matter?
Are you a parent? How would you feel if your child's school wasn't in a mandatory reporting state and therefore didn't report allegations of chid abuse without a second witness?
And why did Watchtower rip into the catholic church for the exact same issues?
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Vidiot
Fisherman - "When mandated, WT reports one witness's accusations in compliance with the related statute."
Anonymously. From a payphone.
Because those always get top priority investigations by the secular authorities.
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Richard Oliver
For reporting the matter to the police Watchtower has removed the two witness rule portion:
Protecting Minors From Abuse
Page 2 Section 6
6. To ensure that elders comply with child-abuse reporting laws, two elders should immedi-ately call the Legal Department for legal advice when the elders learn of an accusation of child abuse. (Rom. 13:1-4) A call should be made even when both persons involved are minors. The elders should not ask an alleged victim, the accused person, or anyone else to call the Legal Department on the el-ders’ behalf. The elders should call the Legal Department even in the following situations:
• The alleged abuse occurred many years ago.
• The alleged abuse is based on the testimony of only one witness.
• The alleged abuse is believed to be a repressed memory.
• The alleged abuse involved perpetrators or victims who are deceased.
• The alleged abuse is believed to have already been reported to the secular authorities.
• The alleged perpetrator or victim is not a member of your congregation.
• The alleged perpetrator is a non-Witness associating with the congregation.
• The alleged abuse occurred before the alleged perpetrator or victim was baptized.
• The alleged victim is now an adult.
• The alleged abuse occurred in the past, and it is unclear
Please note in that same letter there is a distinction between the legal responsibilty:
2. Child abuse includes the sexual or physical abuse of a minor. It would also include the extreme neglect of a minor by her parent. Child sexual abuse is a perversion and generally includes sexual intercourse with a minor; oral or anal sex with a minor; fondling the genitals, breasts, or but-tocks of a minor; voyeurism of a minor; indecent exposure to a minor; or soliciting a minor for sex-ual conduct. Depending on the circumstances of the case, it may include involvement with child pornography or “sexting” with a minor. “Sexting” describes the sending of sexually explicit mes-sages or images electronically.
3. From the Bible’s standpoint, child sexual abuse is a gross sin. (Deut. 23:17, 18; Gal. 5:19-21; ks10 chap. 5 par. 10; w97 2/1 p. 29; g93 10/8 p. 10, ftn.) Jehovah’s Witnesses abhor child sexual abuse. (Rom. 12:9) Thus, the congregation will not shield any perpetrator of such repugnant acts from the consequences of his sin.
Note that paragraph 2 speaks of the legal requirements and section 3 speaks of the congregational actions that would be brought into consideration.
Also following in that same letter:
The elders should carefully adhere to all direction provided by the Ser-vice Department regarding reasonable steps that should be taken to protect minors from one who has engaged in child sexual abuse. For example, the Service Department will provide direction when (1) a congregation judicial committee determines that one guilty of child sexual abuse is re-pentant and will remain in the congregation, (2) one disfellowshipped for child sexual abuse is rein-stated, (3) when an unbaptized publisher or a baptized member of the congregation who denies an accusation of child sexual abuse is convicted by the secular authorities, or (4) one viewed as a child molester by the community or the congregation becomes a publisher or becomes a baptized member of the congregation.
18. Direction from the Service Department to the elders will include restrictions imposed on an individual’s activities within the congregation, on his participation in the field ministry, and on his interaction with minors. The elders will be directed to caution the individual never to be alone with a minor, not to cultivate friendships with minors, not to display affection for minors, and so forth. In some cases, the Service Department may specifically direct elders to inform parents of minors within the congregation of the need to monitor their children’s interaction with an individu-al. If the body of elders has questions about a past case, two elders should be assigned to call the Service Department for direction. The coordinator of the body of elders should ensure that newly appointed elders and elders who move into the congregation are made aware of the Service De-partment’s direction regarding such individuals.
19. One who has engaged in child sexual abuse does not qualify to receive any privileges in the congregation for many years, if ever. This includes seemingly minor privileges. Elders should keep in mind what is stated in the January 1, 1997, Watchtower article “Let Us Abhor What Is Wick-ed,” page 29, paragraph 2: “Child sexual abuse reveals an unnatural fleshly weakness. Experience has shown that such an adult may well molest other children. True, not every child molester repeats the sin, but many do. And the congregation cannot read hearts to tell who is and who is not liable to mo-lest children again. (Jeremiah 17:9) Hence, Paul’s counsel to Timothy applies with special force in the case of baptized adults who have molested children: ‘Never lay your hands hastily upon any man; nei-ther be a sharer in the sins of others.’ (1 Timothy 5:22).” Therefore, if the body of elders believes that one who has engaged in child sexual abuse decades ago may now qualify for minor privileges, such as carrying or adjusting microphones, operating audio/video equipment, or assisting with accounts, liter-ature, magazines, or territories, they should assign two elders to call the Service Department. The as-signed elders should call the Service Department before any congregation privileges are extended.
Please note that it does not matter if the congregation finds the person guilty or not on a two witness requirement. If the secular authorities has already made the determination, restrictions WILL be placed on the person.
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Richard Oliver
And Viodit:
Many states allow for anonymous reporting while others don't. If the legislature feels that would hinder the prosecution then you should get those legislatures to change the laws so that it is mandated to get a name. And it is common for people to report crimes annonymously, that is why many police department has Crimestoppers numbers because they know not everyone is comfortable getting involved with the investigation of the crime.
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LoveUniHateExams
@Richard Oliver - when is that letter dated, i.e. what date is on that letter?
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Richard Oliver
Dated August 1, 2016. You can get a copy off the ARC website.
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Fisherman
When mandated, wt reports one witness accusations in compliance with the related statute - this clearly isn't good enough.
Why is compliance with the law not good enough for you?
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Richard Oliver
And btw secular organizations that do require all reports of child abuse to be reported still spell out the reason for why it is in their policy. It states that they are mandated by applicable laws. Even school districts put that term on their policy.
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Fisherman
Vidiot, why do you always ridicule posters? Is that all you can do?