Vinny -
I know many have had reprucussions because of going to the authorities. That's typically been in situations where the elders don't believe that the "brother" did it and it can be kind of a "protect your own" type of thing. (it's not right) But as far as I know, the family/guardians were NOT to talk about it within the congregation. They were to go to the AUTHORITIES, not others. Many times, out of good conscience, that's what families did - to protect children. It's then that the family of victims get in trouble. Elders hop on that stuff like stink on poop!
So, your question leads to a prominent point: Yeah, so maybe the official policy is to let the family go to the authorities... but I've NEVER seen it allowed that the family say things to other families within the congregation. This makes it easy for a pedophile to continue to prey on other unsuspecting families children. Very sad. So really the WT is NOT protecting the children. (like we didn't know that!)
Thanks for the post/question.