Quote - If your State does not have mandatory reporting laws, it's YOUR problem because the lawmakers are YOUR representative. Fix the law. - End quote
I agree! Why don't they start there...just make everyplace a mandatory report. That would mean that there isn't any reason to report to an elder/WTS to begin with. The victim themselves would be mandatory to report or is victim told parents/family/friends first, (especially is victim was a minor) then whomever was told first should report.
I never understood why elders are told to begin with. I have not heard a JW ever say that their car was stolen or bike was stolen or house was broken into...so they are going to an elder to tell him. No, they go straight to the police, so why when abused not go straight to police?
As shitty as the WTS is with their policies, why do most here always blame the WTS/elders for not reporting, instead of blaming the ones who reported to the elders to begin with?
If for whatever reason the victim told an elder first, then I agree that that elder should report it (especially if it was mandatory law to do so, which is why all states should all have such laws) but if an elder was not told first, then whoever was/is should be the one/s to do so.