My version - some probably the same
Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection
Child abuse is abhorrent to us. This is in harmony with the principle recorded at Romans 12:9.
Romans 12:9 Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.
Even one abused child is one too many.
Well too bad they dont stop the abusers after the first victim instead of there being so many hundreds of them.
For decades The Watchtower and Awake! have featured articles to educate both Witnesses and the public regarding the importance and the need to protect children from child abuse.
Interestingly the WT policy of two witnesses is not mentioned in those articles
Among others, there was the article "Let Us Abhor What Is Wicked!" published in the January 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower ; "Help for the Victims of Incest" in the October 1, 1983, Watchtower, "Your Child Is in Danger!", "How Can We Protect Our Children?", and "Prevention in the Home", all in the October 8, 1993, Awake!, as well as "Child Molesting Every Mother's Nightmare," in the January 22, 1985, Awake! yup they printed them
When any one of Jehovah's Witnesses is accused of an act of child abuse, the local congregation elders are expected to investigate.
Investigate? Why not call the police immediately. Elders are not investigators and their clumsy investigation tampers with evidence
Two elders meet separately with the accused and the accuser to see what each says on the matter. If the accused denies the charge, the two elders may arrange for him and the victim to restate their position in each other's presence, with elders also there.
Excuse me!?! Even in a court of law many children testify by video so they dont have to be in the same room as the person who abused them. We are talking about children - sometimes little ones. Testifying in situations like this is difficult for adults. To expect a child to do this with no support is criminal and just plain stupid
If during that meeting the accused still denies the charges and there are no others who can substantiate them, the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time.
So, it comes down to the victims word against the accused. Few accused admit it so most often that is the end of it - nothing done. Lets not forget here the warnings not to tell anyone or else be accused or slander and divisions. Lets also not forget that the accused is considered innocent and there will be no record of this accusation - therefore nothing to report to the police.
Why not? As a Bible-based organization, we must adhere to what the Scriptures say, namely, "No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin . . . At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good." (Deuteronomy 19:15) Jesus reaffirmed this principle as recorded at Matthew 18:15-17. However, if two persons are witnesses to separate incidents of the same kind of wrongdoing, their testimony may be deemed sufficient to take action.
What a shame that the victim wasnt savvy enough to get someone to watch so she could have the required two witnesses.
However, even if the elders cannot take congregational action, they are expected to report the allegation to the branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses in their country, if local privacy laws permit.
Again, excuse me!?! Phone home! Yup better let Big brother know what is going on so that the WTS is covered.
In addition to making a report to the branch office, the elders may be required by law to report even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to the authorities. If so, we expect the elders to comply.
"may be required"? well only after checking with headquarters and finding out if they think you should or not - probably not though since there is no evidence and he denied it.
Additionally, the victim may wish to report the matter to the authorities, and it is his or her absolute right to do so.
This is new. But mind you dont tell anyone you are a JW or that he is. And if you do bring shame on the cong by telling we will boot you out the door and shun you. (proof of that is all the latest court cases where that exact thing has been done)
If, when confronted, the accused confesses that he is guilty of child abuse, the elders take appropriate congregational action.
Notice that even if he confesses there is no mention of going to the police only "appropriate congregational action"
If he is not repentant, he will not be permitted to remain a member of the congregation.
Hmmm now how does one determine if a pedophile is repentant? We know how hard it is to change them even with therapy. The likelihood of him lying (because he has so much to lose) is pretty high. Lets see a few "Im sorry and will never do it again" should do it. Just put on a good show and well since he is an adult and has been conning everyone for weho knows how long this one should be a cinch.
Even if he is repentantis cut to the heart and is thus resolutely determined to avoid such conduct in the future what was stated in the January 1, 1997, issue of The Watchtower applies. The article said: "For the protection of our children, a man known to have been a child molester does not qualify for a responsible position in the congregation. Moreover, he cannot be a pioneer [full-time missionary of Jehovah's Witnesses] or serve in any other special, full-time service." He would not qualify Scripturally. (1 Timothy 3:2, 7-10) We take such action because we are concerned with maintaining Bible standards and protecting our children. Everyone in our organization is expected to meet the same requirements, namely, to be clean physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually.2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Thessalonians 2:4.
Lets just ignore the fact that he will go home and continue his abuse, especially if the victim is his own child. And now she knows and he knows no one will help her. And since no one else knows anything he is free to find more victims both inside and outside the congregation.
In a few instances, individuals guilty of an act of child abuse have been appointed to positions within the congregation if their conduct has been otherwise exemplary for decades. All the factors are considered carefully.
"AN ACT" another "excuse me" time!?! Most abusers with a victim in the home can abuse hundreds and even thousands of times. Hmm quick calculation time here. My father abused me over a period of three years. To be very conservative lets say 2 times a week. = (52 x 2) = 104; 104 x 3 = 312. We could double that for 4 x a week easily. I wont teel you about the times it was once in the afternoon , a second time before bed and a third in the middle of the night. And that is only 1 victim. Most pedophiles can have dozens of victims before they are caught.
Suppose, for example, that a long time ago a 16-year-old boy had sexual relations with a consenting 15-year-old girl. Depending upon the U.S. jurisdiction where he lived when this happened, elders may have been required to report this as an incident of child abuse.
In most places this is not even bothered with. It certainly doesnt apply in cases where an adult is abusing a child - very often his or her own child
Let us say that 20 years have passed. The child abuse reporting law may have changed; the man may have even married the girl! Both have been living exemplary lives and they are respected. In such a rare case, the man could possibly be appointed to a responsible position within the congregation.
Even though the above example doesnt apply I think this warrants a response "as if" it did apply. Just because no one else comes forward with an accusation doesnt mean the person is no longer abusing anyone. The abuser might be better at hiding it. The abuser might have scared the victims into silence with greater fears than previously used. And if this involves the same victim and abuser the victim learned a long time ago that it only gets worse if you talk. Silence means absolutely nothing.
Our procedures have been refined over time.
About the only "refinement" was in here saying that victims could choose to go to the authorities.
Over the years, as we have noted areas where our policies could be strengthened, we have followed through. We are continuing to refine them.
Well if not refining at least making it public to clean up their reputation
We do not believe that our system is perfect.
Guess that is why everyone has to obey every word published by the WTB&TS or risk being shunned
No human organization is perfect. But we do believe that we have a strong, Bible-based policy on child abuse.
Im glad THEY think it is good. I see a policy full of holes and the proof is the number of victims
Anyone in a responsible position who is guilty of child abuse would be removed from his responsibilities without hesitation.
But even though he might remain in the congregation no one will be informed so that they can keep their children safe. This says absolutely nothing about the person with no responsibilities. Guess there is no punishment for them at all. This also doesnt stop him from saying a prayer or taking the lead in service or the book study especially if he is the only male present. Yup just what I want - a pedophile saying a prayer for me.
We certainly would not knowingly allow him to serve elsewhere, either because he moved or through a transfer.
Well the "Dont ask, dont tell" policy fits in here just nice doesnt it? Get him somewhere else and since I dont KNOW what he is doing there is nothing to report now is there?
The Bible teaches that individuals can repent of their sins and "turn to God by doing works that befit repentance," and we accept what the Bible says. (Acts 26:20)
Repentance and a cure for pedophilia are two separate things. These people need therapy nad to be kept away from children.
Still, the safety of our children is of the utmost importance. We take it very seriously.
Yup I noticed just how much empathy they had for the children in this policy. Their concerns for their safety and emotional, physical, sexual and spiritual well-being came shining through
