Originally posted by robbie carrobieWas there mandatory reporting in Australia during the period covered by the report that's been discussed? Should adults in the branch of your organization there in Australia have reported all those cases, regardless of whether it was mandatory to do so?
That is the policy of Jehovahs Witnesses as far as I am aware.
A press release issued in 2003 by Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information stated: "In addition to making a report to the branch office, the elders may be required by law to report even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to the authorities. If so, the elders receiv ...[text shortened]... s having knowledge of an incident of sexual abuse must not be discouraged from reporting it.[/b]
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Originally posted by FMFI don't know how the law stood in Australia at the time. Had mandatory reporting been law the Brothers would have complied. I think they should have reported cases whether its mandatory or not, yes.
Was there mandatory reporting in Australia during the period covered by the report that's been discussed? Should adults in the branch of your organization there in Australia have reported all those cases, regardless of whether it was mandatory to do so?
Originally posted by robbie carrobieThe question is whether the elders and other adults should report it even if it is not mandatory.
Even where there is no mandatory reporting requirement, victims or others having knowledge of an incident of sexual abuse must not be discouraged from reporting it.
again perhaps you might to better if you were not so self assuming.[/b]
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Originally posted by FMFI have outlined various reasons why in the case where there was no mandatory reporting, reporting was left to the families of those involved. In this thread and elsewhere, you may make references to those. Its tedious to have to repeat them again and again and again and again and again.
So they didn't comply because it wasn't mandatory, is that your reading of what happened in Australia?
-Removed-I would be more concerned with sending my kids to your church than any congregation of Jehovahs witnesses, you don't even have a child protection policy and your hero has been caught on the internet trying to pass himself off as a women in order to dupe people. He may even conceivably have duped minors. we simply don't know.
Originally quoted by robbie carrobieIt says "...elders may be required by law to report (cases)". What if it's not required by law? The text you quoted goes on to say, when not required by law "...victims or others having knowledge of an incident of sexual abuse must not be discouraged from reporting it". That is clearly not the same as saying they should report it. Saying they must not discourage it is very different from saying 'they must report it'.
"In addition to making a report to the branch office, the elders may be required by law to report even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to the authorities. If so, the elders receive proper legal direction to ensure that they comply with the law."
Originally posted by robbie carrobieYou don't know how many allegations have been made? On an earlier page you claimed to have read the article about the scandal? Didn't you read how many allegations have been made in that?
I have outlined various reasons, you may make references to those. I don't know how many allegations have been made. How many convictions for criminality have ensued?