What level of reform is needed on the pedophile issue?

pirata

There are a lot of threads the past few days on pedophiles.

What reforms would you want to see in order to feel the matter has been taken care of?

Complete transparency - the wt gives up the secret files of known pedophiles within the rank and file to the proper authorities and the two witness rule in regards to sexual molestation of children is dropped.

brotherdan

What level of reform? Total destruction of the Watchtower organization.

mrsjones5

jamiebowers

Authorities are contacted whether or not the accusation is in a reporting state.
No interrogation of the victim, ever. For jc's of the accused, evidence from the legal investigation should be used, therefore eliminating the two witness rule.
Victims should NEVER be threatened with df'ing under any circumstance surrounding the molestation allegation.
Victim and parents should be free to discuss with other congregants their situation.
Congregants should be informed of any criminal investigation and its outcome.
If a jw is found guilty of child molestation, they should be banned from the door to door work, meeting attendance or any other activity that will bring them into contact with children FOREVER.

In other words, allow "Cesar's law" to work. In the limited circumstances where a false accusation is made, the injured party has the right to be cleared by law enforcement professionals and have that fact made known publically.

palmtree67

Good points, Jamie.

There needs to be more than just reform, though.

There needs to be reform AND a public apology acknowledging their self-serving neglligence in this.

truthseekeriam

Jamie,

I couldn't have said it better myself.

You must have some experience in it as well.

OnTheWayOut

Asking for disbanding the religion or the recruiting or the children recruiting is not realistic, so-

Just adding to jamiebowers' list:

1. Authorities are contacted whether or not the accusation is in a reporting state.

Go with the little boy or girl (and parent) to the authorities. Standing by them doesn't mean you are pronouncing guilt upon some guy when it is unproven. It is hugely different than "We won't stop you from going to the authorities and making Jehovah's organization look bad." Let Jehovah protect his organization and let his appointed men protect the flock like they say they do.

2. No interrogation of the victim, ever. For jc's of the accused, evidence from the legal investigation should be used, therefore eliminating the two witness rule.

That's actually what they do. And if the accused denies the charge, the victim is to repeat the charge in his presence along with some elders. They act like they know what to do and like everyone is a capable adult in the matter settling some dispute over property. Take the child to experts in the field of interviewing children.

3. Victims should NEVER be threatened with df'ing under any circumstance surrounding the molestation allegation.

This is still probably done on the down low. New excuses of charges besides slander may come up for whiste-blowers, but the intent is still to silence anyone making the organization look bad.

6. If a jw is found guilty of child molestation, they should be banned from the door to door work, meeting attendance or any other activity that will bring them into contact with children FOREVER.

IF that is beyond what they can do, they can still insist that every child only work with their parents and trusted family members. They can actually say that minors will not [recruit] with elders, MS's, other that are not their trusted family members. If WTS cannot legally announce people's guilt in the matter, they can still tell the congregation to go to the websites that reveal current offenders and they can have their generic 'talks' about pedophiles in their midst. Instead, they are afraid of such stuff getting out.

GLTirebiter

"Do as the Roman(Catholic)s do" would be a good start. Highlights include:

Implementation of the child protectiion policy is reviewed by a board, the majority of whom are not clergy nor church employees (Article 2)
Confidentiality clauses will be included in settlements only by request of the vicim, not by request of the church (Article 3)
All allegations oif abuse must be reported to civil authorities, with full cooperation in any civil investigation (Article 4)
Strike one: you're out! (Article 5)
Written, enforced policies for all clergy, employees and volunteers who have contact with children (Article 6)
Open and transparent communication with the congregation and the public (Article 7)
Background investigations of all candidates for the clergy, employees, and volunteers who have contact with children (Article 13)

"Given the extent of the problem of the sexual abuse of minors in our society, we are willing to cooperate with other churches and ecclesial communities, other religious bodies, institutions of learning, and other interested organizations in conducting research in this area." (Article 16)

wobble

I agree with all of the above posters ideas, and would wish to stress Article 6 as in GL Tirebiters post above :

"A written and enforced policy....... "

In other words an active programme of protection for the vulnerable, with people responsible as to its implementation at every meeting, even for F.S

The W.T has virtually nothing in place to prevent abuse happening, surely this is a moral duty. and must be done straight away.

What level of reform is needed on the pedophile issue?

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