"do the decent thing (that everyone else already knows) to protect children ?"
Well, the Catholic Church has not exactly been a front runner for an open policy on this, has it? Forced from barrier to barrier, it finally has been forced to adopt a policy which in theory looks good. I am not interested in defending JW policy when it comes to this, but there are MANY organisations that have skeletons in the closet. Child abuse and rape in general never was a priority among the police or prosecuting authorities. Jury members are still quoted as saying that a woman dressed like that has to bear the guilt herself, that a woman responding to an invitation knew what was coming - comments sounding more like coming from Moslem communities than from a Western courtroom. Great parts of modern society have a lot to answer for and are burdened with a huge amount of shame for how they have failed women and children. This is only slowly starting to be treated with the seriousness it should. Thousands upon thousands of lives have been destroyed right in front of the eyes of an indifferent society. Good that it is beginning to be changed. Sad that the WT is not a front runner, but still partially sticks to the "keep it inside the congregation" attitude and only follows what is required by law and not what according to morals should be the most natural thing to do - follow the Christ and take care of those in need. There are unlikely good elders and congregational members out there, but others are so immature and inhibited and dare not do anything that is not written on the pages of the WT.