Noble Berean

I'm surprised to hear there's inconsistency on mandated reporting across Australia, but it doesn't defend the organization's policies. Unlike other institutions, the organization of JWs is a religion that prides itself on having a high moral standard far surpassing the law of the land. The elders act as shepherds for the flock. They are supposed to be protecting the flock from predators. So, elders have a moral responsibility as Christians to protect the flock, and that is the case regardless of what the law of the land says.
In the case of sexual abuse of minors, elders should air on the side of caution, because it involves the well-being of children. There should be a sense of urgency to protect others in the congregation from a sexual predator. You wouldn't perceive child molestation in the same way you perceive smoking a cigarette. Smoking is morally wrong, but molestation is a heinous crime that hurts children. Perhaps you could wait around for two witnesses to a smoker, but you shouldn't wait on sexual abuse. There is absolutely no reason why elders need an allegation to be Scripturally substantiated in order to report to the police, because reporting does not convict a person. The police need to do an investigation to find evidence of wrongdoing, but the police have capabilities to uncover wrongdoing that the elders do not have. So, the police are an ally to elders in this regard. It's hard to imagine that elders sat on allegations of sex abuse and allowed predators to prey on congregations for years. I don't know how that sits well with your Bible-trained conscience.

And this isn't even new news. I've been hearing about child abuse in congregations on discussion forums for the past 7 years. It's just that now the organization is facing a significant number of child abuse lawsuits worldwide and governments are scrutinizing the religion's policies. And this has gotten the attention of the media.

And a willingness to change for the better is a good thing. I would respect the org if it would acknowledge its errors and make necessary changes. But the organization seems set in its ways. 

And a willingness to change for the better is a good thing. I would respect the org if it would acknowledge its errors and make necessary changes. But the organization seems set in its ways. 

Governments are scrutinizing their own policies because they have been found inadequate.
http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/violence/clinical-response-csa/en/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/20816521_Incest_victims_Inadequate_help_by_professionals
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ411733
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/18/justice-secretary-urged-to-rewrite-child-sexual-abuse-guidelines
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/808730
https://www.ovc.gov/publications/factshts/monograph.htm
https://www.princeton.edu/futureofchildren/publications/docs/04_02_07.pdf
And lots more, too many to post...

Well, at this point I definitely think JWs can throw out that old line "Look at those wicked Catholic Churches with their child abusing priests!"

I had the glorious job of garbage detail in tent city 
Some of you might remember the showers we made in the park.... wow... how time flies....

Well, at this point I definitely think JWs can throw out that old line "Look at those wicked Catholic Churches with their child abusing priests!"

Kind of confused how this is a "controversial topic." It's literally real, ongoing news.

Well, at this point I definitely think JWs can throw out that old line "Look at those wicked Catholic Churches with their child abusing priests!"

Kind of confused how this is a "controversial topic." It's literally real, ongoing news.

I am very sorry to hear that .  I did not dismiss the possibility of a parent being the abuser. It is the saddest of all the abuse cases and unfortunately the most common. It is a betrayal of trust of the worst kind. Only the God of justice will put things right.  

I agree with most all that you are saying, except many children are abused by a parent; a parent they thought they could trust.  Also, I was abused as a girl by someone in the extended family. Because my parents thought so highly of the individual, I never had the heart to tell them of my abuse that lasted years, even though I had an especially close bond with my father.  They died not knowing the sordid truth about my abuser.

@David Normand
Thank you for your comment. Perhaps in some lands it is widespread part of their heritage? The scripture that comes to my mind is:
Christian Counsel on Personal Adornment. Jesus and his apostles counseled constantly against putting trust in physical things and putting on a false show by means of material adornment. The apostle Paul said that Christian women should “adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb.” (1Ti 2:9) During the days of the apostles it was a custom among women in that world of Greek culture to go in for elaborate coiffures and other adornment. How appropriate, therefore, is Peter’s counsel to women in the Christian congregation not to put emphasis on ‘the externalbraiding of the hair and the putting on of gold ornaments or the wearing of outer garments’ but to let their adornment be, as with the faithful women of old, “the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit”!—1Pe 3:3-5. 
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200000117?q=external+braiding&p=par
My opinion is that “if we detract we attract”? Perhaps with wrong motives?
Agape,
?⚖️?⚖️?

Not all anointed ones are uninspired.  Some actually, are guided by Holy Spirit.  
This is a comment I found by an anointed one, very much inspired:
“The Bible makes clear, that there are cases which DO NOT require two witnesses, such as murder and rape (Deut.22:25-27). In both crimes, there was no witness at all. IN FACT, a child is not capable of resistance toward a crafty adult, despite the useless advice for the prevention of child abuse which is given in the Awake's futile magazine article. It places blame on the incapable victim, should they be molested, by depicting an image of a child with her hand up, to her would-be rapist.

Jesus also let us know, that God Himself can be considered a witness (John8:18). If "elders" believe that they are appointed by the action of that very spirit of God, can it not also testify to guilt or innocence, in response to a prayerful petition?
Of course, God will not respond to the prayer of the wicked, just as He refuses to respond to the prayers of the GB, as they themselves admitted, about their decision to build at Warwick.”
 
 

I assume that God will back me on the condition that I make choices that honor him. But I'm not infallible. I can make mistakes and Jehovah God can remove his backing. Can the same be said for this organization?

@TrueTomHarley don't you think the organization's inability to acknowledge any missteps in its abuse policies shows some measure of pride?

I'm sure there's some element of pride when you have total confidence you are backed by God almighty?

I assume that God will back me on the condition that I make choices that honor him. But I'm not infallible. I can make mistakes and Jehovah God can remove his backing. Can the same be said for this organization?

@TrueTomHarley don't you think the organization's inability to acknowledge any missteps in its abuse policies shows some measure of pride?

I'm sure there's some element of pride when you have total confidence you are backed by God almighty?

I assume that God will back me on the condition that I make choices that honor him. But I'm not infallible. I can make mistakes and Jehovah God can remove his backing. Can the same be said for this organization?

@Srecko Sostar you are being personally downvoted for spreading the news about our organization and that's sad. This isn't an apostate fabrication. Does reality trigger JWs on here? Us JWs have to face the reality of what's happening instead of digging our heads in the sand. We may face these questions in the ministry. 
Honestly, the organization needs to be 100% transparent right now about their child abuse policies, because we act as representatives for them when we go out. I shouldn't have to view some weird PDF of the Shepherd's Flock book to get a grasp of the org's policies (which I still don't get). 

Releasing a magazine that scapegoats homosexuals as pedophiles is hardly being 'proactive' against child abuse. 

Not really. The organization admitting wrongdoing is unlikely. They're too proud to do that. No matter what the outcome, the organization will spin itself as a victim. The organization will never say it has committed a crime even if the courts rule against them. They will spin at as spiritual warfare. That's just the way it is.