During the past few years the Watchtower Society has made some improvements to its policies related to allegations of child abuse.
Currently the single biggest flaw in Watchtower's policy related to child abuse is that it NEVER comes right out and ENCOURAGES that victims of child abuse and parents/guardians of victims of child abuse report the allegation to local law enforcement authorities.
This omission is significant and noteworthy because the Watchower organization teaches its adherents to look to it for guidance on matters of life and living it.
So...
How would I respond to this defense made on behalf of The Watchtower's Child Abuse lawsuits?
I'd respond by asking whoever presents this defense WHY the Watchtower organization has so far failed to come out and actually encourage JWs to report allegations of child abuse to law enforcement authorities?
After all, if a JW reports allegation of child abuse to his or her local elders they must give some credence to the accusation. Right? So why not encourage the SAME JW to also report the allegation to local law enforcement so that other children at risk in the same neighborhood have some chance of being protected from a potential predator? Doesn't the Bible tell us to love our neighbors AS WE LOVE OURSELVES?