"CLERGY-PENITENT" EXEMPT STATES

by YoursChelbie 4 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  YoursChelbie

  THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 16 STATES OUT OF 50

  (The number could chage with new legislation.)

  THAT CURRENTLY HAVE "PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION" EXEMPTIONS FOR

  REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE BY CLERGY OF ANY RELIGION.

  THE CLERGY, HOWEVER, ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM REPORTING TO

  LOCAL AUTHORITIES THE COMUNICATION BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND

  THE ALLEGED VICTIM.

  THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED IS THAT BETWEEN THE CLERGY AND

  THE CONFESSED PERPETRATOR.

  http://www.calib.com/nccanch/pubs/sag/manda.cfm

  HAS WATCHTOWER LEGAL DEPARTMENT BEEN ACCURATE IN ITS GUIDELINES AND

  ADVICE TO ELDERS WITH REGARDS TO REPORTING ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE?
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  dungbeetle

  <THE CLERGY, HOWEVER, ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM REPORTING TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES THE COMUNICATION BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND THE ALLEGED VICTIM. THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED IS THAT BETWEEN THE CLERGY AND
  THE CONFESSED PERPETRATOR. >

  Where did you find this?
• 

  ChristianObserver

  Hello :o)

  Thanks for that link Chelbie!

  Does anyone have/can anyone obtain a bona fide list from the WTBTS legal department of all those states where the WTBTS *believes* there to be mandatory reporting? I have searched the official site and drawn a blank.

  If a list was available from them - and based on the very (and possibly intentionally) vague statements they have made to the media, there MUST be one within the organisation from which they offer *advice* to elders -this would enable a comparison to be made with state published reporting requirements to see whether the WTBTS is in fact incorrectly claiming *clergy privilege*, or whether they are only advising reporting in those states where *all persons* are required by law to report.

  Whilst searching the site, the following caught my eye:

  "However, if molestationand especially incestis discovered to have occurred, two things must be done immediately:

  First, the childand other children toomust be protected from any further abuse. This must be done, whatever the cost. In many cases the accused molester will have to be confronted. But whatever it takes, it is important that the child should feel confident that the molester will never be able to get at her (or him) again.

  Second, the child must be given a lot of love and emotional support. Parents must make it very clear that the little victim is not to blame. The crime and anything that happens as a result of iteven if a close relative goes to prisonis not her (or his) fault. But that reassurance will have to be given many times, so that the victim comes to believe itand to believe that the parents believe it too!" Awake Jan 22, 1985

  Is this information from their published literature of any use to Barbara and Bill?
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  YoursChelbie

  Hello beetle,

  The information I looked up can be accessed directly from the link on the first post of this thread. It comes from the website of the "The US Department of Health and Human Services."

  Below is a link to the more detailed information and again includes a state by state listing of laws for mandatory reporters of child abuse. This link is also in text form, not chart. It may be easier to print out if you wish:

  http://www.calib.com/nccanch/pubs/stats01/mandrep.cfm#top

  Edited by - YoursChelbie on 21 July 2002 17:37:52

  Edited by - YoursChelbie on 22 July 2002 0:3:22
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  YoursChelbie