Some info
There are two kinds of rules regarding disclosing abuse to the authorities.
The WTS only discusses the legal rules. It never discusses the ethical rule
As part of my training as a counselor we, and all professionals especially those working with children, were instructed on the legal rules. If we witnessed or were told of an instance of abuse we were OBLIGATED BY LAW to report the abuse. Failing to do so could make us complicit in the abuse. I live in Canada where it is the law right across the country. (Can't believe they have states in the US where this isn't the law)
The rest of the non-professional population (not doctors, teachers, counselors, lawyers, clergy, child care workers, etc.) have an ETHICAL or MORAL OBLIGATION to report even suspicions about children being abused. Then the professionals can investigate.
I have walked past cars where children were left alone, listened to children scream next door, heard women being beaten by their spouses. Even if I wasn't a professional how could I live with myself and not say or do something? How would I feel if those children or those women were later found dead or been hospitalized and I did nothing? Just for my own conscience sake I would do something. Professionals are there to investigate. Call them and let them take it from there.
A few years ago I heard the little boy next door scream and then heard a huge thud on the wall. I called the police immediately and they were there in minutes because I said a child about 3 yrs old was involved. It turned out the father and the boy were playing football in the house. The police verified it and came to let me know. About an hour later the father knocked on my door and thanked me. He said he would prefer someone taking action to protect his child rather than remain quiet while his child was being hurt. I was impressed then and still am.
I've also called the police when a man was screaming at a woman to open the door so he could beat the crap out of her (they hauled him away in handcuffs) and another case where I could hear the screaming from across the street on my way home (They took him away in handcuffs too)
Both my children have each called the authorities to help a friend who was being abused
If a person decides to call the authorities here is what you need:
- a phone number for the authorities - police if it is an emergency, social services when it is not an emergency (usually in the front of your phone book)
- if it is an emergency - an address or place where the abuse is happening
- if it is not an emergency - name of victim(s), address, phone number of the victim if possible, and who you think is abusing them
- give them as much information as possible to help them in their investigation.
- your name will remain anonymous (the authorities cannot give out that information, However, it might be possible for the victims or accused to figure it out
- expect that the authorities may want to talk to you in person.
LITS
I'm sorry you didn't get the help you needed as a child. The elders haven't got a clue. They didn't years ago and they still don't. They want to hide behind "clergy privilege" but that does not apply in terms of child abuse - well in most places it doesn't apply. But even if the law does not specify whether to report or not our MORAL and ETHICAL values should tell us to help a child who is being abused.
Even if you got no help in the past, if you have the info that I mentioned above and can help even one child then pick up the phone. You might be amazed how helping another victimized child soothes your own hurt inner child.
