Aude Sapere - the public was advised in the submission from the RC as follows
Toole said that although he understood what was put to him, the Jehovah’s Witness organisation has not reported child sexual abuse on the understanding that only the mandatory reporting laws applied.741 Mr Toole confirmed that the organisation’s understanding was also his understanding.742
417 It is implicit in Mr Toole’s confession to a ‘wake‐up call’ that prior to being called to give evidence before the Royal Commission he did not advise elders from New South Wales of their obligations under the concealment laws. It follows that where elders in NSW formed the view that child sexual abuse had occurred they were obliged under sanction of the criminal law to report those cases to the police.
418 Mr Toole should accordingly be referred to the Law Society of New South Wales for possible investigation.