There is an interesting article in today's "Daily Cougar," which is the University of Houston's daily student newspaper. It's entitled "Should Elders report child abuse?"
Our own Ephanyminitas wrote this article! The article -- originally entitled "Jehovah's Witnesses' policy on child abuse" (he thought they'd use that) -- is permanently available at
http://www.stp.uh.edu/vol68/21/opinion/oped3Volume 68, Issue 1, Date
Opinion
Should Elders report child abuse?
Guest Columnist
It seems the controversy concerning child molestation in the Catholic Church has finally calmed down. But now the spotlight is turning on another religious group: Jehovahs Witnesses.
Jehovahs Witnesses are an American-born fundamentalist sect known mostly for its mandatory preaching work. It is led by the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which claims six million members worldwide and one million in the United States. Members are part of an extremely close-knit society that has its own way of life, its own values and its own judiciary.
Jehovahs Witnesses have been under increasing pressure recently because of their child abuse policy. In a statement on its Web site, the Society explains; "When any Jehovahs Witness is accused of an act of child abuse, the local congregation elders are expected to investigate." Not local authorities the elders. In America, only 16 states require all allegations of abuse to be reported to the authorities; and in those 34 states where its not required, elders prefer to handle such matters internally.
Child abuse typically leaves only two witnesses to the crime the perpetrator and the young victim. The abuser is unlikely to confess, and this leaves only one witness the victim, a terrified and violated child who is intimidated into silence by either threats or the belief that he (or she) has done something terribly wrong in Gods eyes.
When the matter is brought to light (often through the victims brave actions), the Society explains that congregation elders should meet with the young accuser and the accused separately. If the accused adult still denies the allegations, then a second meeting is arranged, with both the accuser and the accused present at the same time. If "during that meeting the accused still denies the charges and no others can substantiate them, the elders cannot take action within the congregation at that time." Basically, the accused molester gets off the hook.
Witnesses claim that this is so because of the injunction in the Bible at Deuteronomy 19:15, which says that accusations can only stand if they are corroborated by at least two or three witnesses.
But is a child likely to speak out accurately and comfortably with his (or her) rapist sitting right across the room, glaring at him? Is it right to force a raped child to confront his molester? And more, do Jehovahs Witnesses have the right to supersede the authorities and place a proper investigation in jeopardy?
You might ask, what kind of "action within the congregation" can be taken? Unrepentant wrongdoers will likely be expelled and shunned. But if a wrongdoer acts repentant, then an announcement will be made that this person has been "reproved" by a judicial committee. In either case, no one outside of the situation such as parents of other young children is told of the wrongdoers admittance to raping a child. How can they say that children are safe within their Kingdom Halls?
Why no mention of local authorities yet? In its statement, the Society makes its position clear. After reporting the alleged wrongdoing to their local branch office (which in turn notifies the Societys headquarters), "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." If, however, the congregation resides in a state where reporting isnt mandatory, time has shown that the crime rarely gets reported. Again, better that it is handled without involving the law.
The Societys secret database of child offenders holds well over twenty thousand names, but the Society has declined to share this list with the authorities. The Society has repeatedly declined interviews about this issue, instead offering videotapes and statements full of even contradictions. It makes one wonder, what are they hiding?
The "safety of our children is of the utmost importance," they say. But since they keeping everything hidden, it appears that their reputation is whats most important. The next time a Jehovahs Witnesses talks with you, you should ask him or her about this topic. Carefully examine the answers they give you, and see if Jehovahs Witnesses are really concerned about the children and not their own image.
-Fire on behalf of Ephy
Edited by - Simon on 28 September 2002 2:49:55