Flipper, I totally agree that the WT creates an atmosphere that spawns child abuse.
There isn't just one factor and it is more complicated than just the habit of not reporting child abuse allegations to the authorities. The way the organization is structured creates an environment that fosters child abuse. It is a systemic problem.
Several factors are at play and the insular nature of the cult supplies one of the requirements that allows child abuse to grow. Another thing is the lack of clear boundaries between minors and adults.
The early baptism of children, propelling them into "adult" status in the congregation's spiritual measuring, is one factor that I think is critical. Not only do the adults not have a boundary line they have to respect, the baptism acts as an emotional stopping point for the children who become baptized. In effect, the child stops maturing - they don't have to mature anymore because they have attained the top adult prize: baptism. I think that some of those who get baptized at such an early age simply get stuck there. They don't advance beyond their age of baptism. And therefore, when it comes time to chose a preferred sexual partner, they naturally gravitate towards a partner that matches them in emotional and psychological age.
Early baptism, JW style, where the child becomes an instant adult, leads to emotionally stunted adults. Adults who never mature beyond their age of entry into the adult world of JWs. Adults who seek out the emotional comfort of younger people. Because they are of similar emotional age.
And then throw in all the sexual restrictions. The WTS is focused on controlling sexual behavior. Children are given inappropriate information about sex. So are adults.
Then there is the issue of power. Power is woven into the WT structure. Power at the top and filtered down, each rung down with less and less power. Until it stops at the man on the bottom. Women and children are below any level of power. The problem is that it is only an illusion of power. Those men who are given their power from above the ladder, know that they don't really have any. They know, deep inside, that the power they have been given is fake. They know they are powerless. That is reinforced every time they open their mail and get yet another BOE letter telling them in detail what to do. That isn't power and they know it.
A person's self empowerment is critical to emotional and psychological health. It is imprinted in our genes. We must have power to survive. A cult member does not have personal power. They only have the power of the cult. They have none of their own. And they are terrified of the One who has the most power of all - Jehovah.
But, a human being's need for power is fundamental to their nature - each and every one of us must have it in order to feel like we will survive. So, all those powerless people inside the WT's made-up religion, have to, and they will, seek power somewhere. And where better to find power than to take it from those who have no way of protecting their own? From the children. The powerless steal the children's power. Because they can. And because they don't know how to be powerful by themselves - their power has been stolen by the WTS. They have given their power to the cult.
And another thing...the JWs are incestuous. The "Brother" and "Sister" thing is just plain creepy