My apologies if this has already been presented somewhere in all the discussions on this topic. In case not, I thought it might be of interest to quote the "Flock" book:
Page 93 under the definition of Porneia:
... Also included are sexual abuse of children, including practices involving a catamite (a boy kept for purposes of sexual perversion).... Victims of sexual abuse need to be treated with extreme thoughtfulness and kindness. Elders should always do what they reasonably can to protect children from further abuse; follow the Society's directives on such matters. (g85 1/22 p.8)
Under the topic "Handling Judicial Cases", subheading "What kind of evidence is acceptable?" page 111:
Quote:
What kind of evidence is acceptable?There must be two or three eyewitnesses, not just persons repeating what they have heard; no action can be taken if there is only one witness. (Deut. 19:15; John 8:17) . . .Strong circumstantial evidence, . . .
If there are two or three witnesses to the same kind of wrongdoing but each one is witness to a separate incident, their testimony can be considered. Such evidence may be used to establish guilt, but it is preferable to have two witnesses to the same occurrence of wrongdoing.
On seeing the above reference in the first quote here to the Jan.22, 1985 Awake!, I looked it up. The magazine featured three articles on child abuse.
~Ros
Edited by - ros on 21 November 2002 23:45:35