Earnest, I appreciate your accuracy in calling out the change of policy. It is true that the policy has changed but it still allows the JC to make some decisions on their own despite their lack of qualifications. They often make judgement calls that reflect lack of proper training. In my dealings with the Branch, their legal advice directed the JC to take the minimal action required by law with no regard for the victim.
Where CSA is concerned, JWs need to call the police and let the police sort through the CRIME. Police are the legally designated entity for dealing with this type of CRIME, and they have resources for determining guilt that JC's do not have. As well, they have trained personnel that know how to assist victims without re-traumatizing them.
Then, based on the findings of the police, the JC could act accordingly with the accused. I am certain that a chimp with half of his brain tied behind his back, could re-write the WTC policy to make it legally correct and helpful. So why are they struggling still? They seek to shield pedophiles who might cut a deal with prosecutors by naming other pedos, unraveling the whole thing.
It is known to law enforcement that pedophiles often know other pedophiles. WTC fears that they will rat others out and the bread crumbs will lead back to Bethel. When a judicial committee calls Legal, there can be long waits while the attorney searches - searches for what? They are supposed to be state experts, but they are conducting other searches. The meta data they have for the 3 databases helps them find links between people. I have long suspected that they are looking to see if relationships might be exposed. The bad advice they have been known to give were rookie mistakes - or were they? Perhaps other former elders could weigh in.