Child Sexual Abuse: Telememos 1959–1993
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Service
Name and phone number of caller: ___.
Congregation name, city, and state of caller: ___
Name, age, and congregation status of offender: ___.
Briefly describe the nature and extent of abuse:___
When did the abuse occur? ___
Is victim in same home with offender? ___
What efforts are being made to protect victim? ___
Has a report been made to authorities? YES- \square NO- \square
Give details of how reported: ___
Who else has knowledge of abuse? ___
Have any elders been contacted by authorities for testimony or cong. records? YES-□ NO-□
Direction given:
NONREPORTING
The elders have no duty to report child abuse under the child abuse reporting law. Whether others who have knowledge make a report or pursue the matter legally is a personal decision. We explained the Society's policy of confidentiality and directed the elders to contact the Legal Department if they are subpoenaed. We had no legal objection to the elders handling this matter as they would any other case of serious wrongdoing. The elders should refer to the Awake! issues on child abuse (6-22-82, 1-22-85, 12-22-86, 10-1-83) in giving appropriate spiritual assistance to the family. Positive steps should be taken to prevent further abuse. The elders should monitor the situation carefully for the protection of other potential victims.
REPORTING
The elders have a duty to report child abuse under the child abuse reporting law. They should speak to the offender directly and find out if he is willing to turn himself in. If he is unwilling, there may be someone else who has knowledge of the abuse who will make a report. If no one who has knowledge of the abuse is willing to make a report, two elders should make an anonymous phone report from a neutral location, such as a phone booth. They should keep a written record of who made the call, to whom it was made, the date and time of the call, and other pertinent factors. This record should then be signed by the two elders and placed in congregation files as proof that a report of child abuse was made in compliance with the law. We explained the Society's policy of confidentiality and directed the elders to contact the Legal Department if they are subpoenaed. We had no legal objection to the elders handling this matter as they would any other case of serious wrongdoing. The elders should refer to the Awake! issues on child abuse (6-22-82, 1-22-85, 12-22-86, 10-1-83) in giving appropriate spiritual assistance to the family.
Other direction;
Follow up required: CHILD ABUSE TELEMEMO
Date of telephone call:
Person handling call:
Name of caller:
Congregation name, city, and state of caller:
CONFIDENTIAL
Name, age, and congregation status of offender:
Name, age, and congregation status of victim:
Briefly describe the nature and extent of abuse:
Direction given:
Follow up required: CHILD ABUSE TELEMEMO
Date and time of telephone call: ___
Person handling call: ___
Name and phone number of caller: ___
Congregation name, city, and state of caller:
Name, age, and congregation status of offender: ___
Briefly describe the nature and extent of abuse:___
When did the abuse occur? ___ □ Confessed □ Denied □ Unknown
Is victim in same home with offender? ___
What efforts are being made to protect victim? ___
Has a report been made to authorities? YES-□ NO-□
Give details of how reported: ___
Who else has knowledge of abuse? ___
Have any elders been contacted by authorities for testimony or cong. records? YES-□ NO-□
Direction given:
NONREPORTING
Elders have no duty to report child abuse under the child abuse reporting law. Whether others who have knowledge make a report or pursue the matter legally is a personal decision. We explained the Society's policy of confidentiality and asked the elders to review the letter of July 1, 1989. Encourage parties not to involve the congregation if authorities investigate. Contact the Legal Department if they are subpoenaed. No legal objection to the elders handling this as any other case of serious wrongdoing. The elders should refer to the letter of March 23, 1992, and use the articles cited on child abuse in giving appropriate spiritual assistance to the family. (See also Awake! 10-8-93) Treat victim with extreme thoughtfulness and kindness. Is it necessary to make the sexual abuse victim, who is still a minor, confront the accused? Positive steps should be taken to prevent further abuse. The elders should monitor the situation carefully for the protection of other potential victims.
REPORTING
Elders have a duty to report child abuse under the child abuse reporting law. They should speak to the offender directly and find out if he is willing to turn himself in. If he is unwilling, there may be someone else who has knowledge of the abuse who will make a report. If no one who has knowledge of the abuse is willing to make a report, two elders should make an anonymous phone report from a neutral location, such as a phone booth. They should keep a written record of who made the call, to whom it was made, the date and time of the call, and other pertinent factors. This record should then be signed by the two elders and placed in congregation files as proof that a report of child abuse was made in compliance with the law. We explained the Society's policy of confidentiality and asked the elders to review the letter of July 1, 1989. Encourage parties not to involve the congregation if authorities investigate. Contact the Legal Department if they are subpoenaed. No legal objection to the elders handling this as any other case of serious wrongdoing. The elders should refer to the letter of March 23, 1992, and use the articles cited on child abuse in giving appropriate spiritual assistance to the family. (See also Awake! 10-8-93) Treat victim with extreme thoughtfulness and kindness. Is it necessary to make the sexual abuse victim, who is still a minor, confront the accused? Positive steps should be taken to prevent further abuse. The elders should monitor the situation carefully for the protection of other potential victims.
Other direction:
Follow up required:
Additional comments: ___
SURVEY QUESTIONS
What action has been taken by the elders? ___
How long have the elders known of the accusation before calling Legal? ___
Have the elders reviewed the letter of: Yes No
July 1, 1989 ___
March 23, 1992 ___
February 3, 1993 ___
Have previous accusations been made against the accused? ___
Has the child received a medical examination? ___
What person brought this charge to the elders? ___
Where did any conversations with the child occur? ___
Did the elders talk directly with the child? ___
How many elders felt that the victim was somewhat at fault or willingly participated in the acts? ___ CM PROFILE
Attorney-Client Privileged
Legal:
Service:
Date entered:
Person handling call:
Phone number:
City: State:
Accused: Congregation status:
Congregation: Date of Baptism:
Date of Birth: Age:
Did he ever serve as an elder, ministerial servant, or pioneer? O No O Yes
When did he serve? In what capacity?
Relationship(s) of accused to victim(s)?
Victim(s): Congregation status:
Congregation: Age:
Who reported: When first told elders:
Have elders spoken with the accused? No Yes Under what circumstances? Confessed Denied Unknown Admitted to elders? Denied?
Briefly, the nature and extent of abuse:
Categorize the abuse:
When did abuse occur?
Now living in same home? No Yes
What efforts to protect victim(s)?
Reported to authorities? No Yes Give details of how reported:
Who has knowledge of abuse?
Eldom contacted by authorities? No Yes
Elders contacted by authorities? No Yes Direction given: See Statutes book
Other direction;
Comments...
Follow-up description:
Follow-up date: