Why does the Watchtower only do the right thing when legally compelled to do so?
When it comes to allegations of sexual molestation of a child (or any allegation of child abuse!) I've often found myself wondering why Watchtower does not come out and actively encourage victims and/or their guardians to report to secular authorities rather than passively say "We don't discourage reporting" and then leave any adult victims and/or guardians alone to decide for themselves whether to report.
When it comes to clergy hearing confessions, I think it best to follow community established standards under law. In some countries the legal systems are so upside down and corrupt that reporting these allegations to secular authorities is considered by the populace as worse than dealing with the issue oneself.
But Watchtower has its elders go beyond hearing confessions. Watchtower has its elders investigate allegations of criminal behavior that it considers as sin, and from there establish an internal judicial tribunal to hear and prosecute if the allegation is deemed to have substance. (Note: Under Watchtower doctrine what is deemed criminal under secular law is not always considered as sin.) This goes beyond what secular authorities tend to think of when constructing statutes designed to deal strictly with confession. It is an abomination that Watchtower would have its appointees tread this ground rather than encourage victims and/or their guardians to report to secular authorities who are better equipped and trained to respond for sake of all children everywhere.