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BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse

hawkaw	BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:15:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Ontario Post 1902 of 3724 Since 3/22/2001	Bill Bowen just Emailed this to me and I wasn't too sure if had been posted. This is very significant. If anyone has Helen's Email or the Email of the Minister she wrote too asking for the enquiry, please post them. hawk Helen Clark Member of Parliament for Peterborough FOR IMMEDIATE USE 15.07.02 HOUSE OF COMMONS London SW1A 0AA Press Release JEHOVAH'S WITNESS CHILD SEX ABUSE MP CALLS FOR INQUIRY Helen Clark MP has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling for an immediate inquiry into the allegations of child sexual abuse amongst members of Jehovah's Witness congregations. This follows the BBC Panorama expose of past and present cases, which have never been adequately investigated due to the organisation's policy of requiring two witnesses to an alleged offence. Mrs Clarke has been pursuing the matter for nearly two years since been contacted by a constituent, himself a victim as a child, but three successive Ministers have refused to take any action. "Panorama contacted me when they were preparing this programme and I was able to put them in touch with my constituent and the police who were also aware of the allegations" said Mrs Clarke "I'm delighted that the matter is at last receiving the public scrutiny it deserves, having written on a number of occasions to the Home Office without success. In my opinion, Government Ministers have all been too anxious not to offend a religious minority group and therefore too ready to accept outward assurances that the proper procedures were in effect. The Children of members of Jehovah's Witnesses must be afforded the same protection against sexual abuse as any other children in our society. I hope this EDM will receive sufficient support to put additional pressure on the Government to take action. I would be very surprised if I am the only Member of Parliament to have been approached on these issues. ENDS Text of EDM EARLY DAY MOTION JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE That this house congratulates the BBC on its showing of the Panorama programme, which exposes the lack of an appropriate child protection policy amongst Jehovah's Witnesses, since it is the organisation's policy to consider congregation members accused of child sexual abuse innocent unless there are two witnesses, even in the case of listed paedophiles; notes that previous attempts on the part of victims of this abuse to obtain official recognition of the issues involved have been unsuccessful and calls upon the Government to institute an immediate enquiry into the circumstances of past and present cases of such abuse. CONTACTS: Mrs Helen Clark MP 020 7219 6062 _____ Helen Clark Member of Parliament for Peterborough HRC/IAJM 15th July, 2002 HOUSE OF COMMONS London SW1A 0AA Mr. Hilary Benn , M.P., Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Home Office. Dear Hillary, Jehovah's Witnesses Thank you for your letter of 26 June, which I have already forwarded to my constituent Mr. XXXXXX. However, last night's "Panorama" programme on this subject showed that this is an extremely serious problem. From my own correspondence with your office, it seems to be one which successive Ministers have not fully addressed. It appears to have been preferable to simply accept the guidelines, issued by the Jehovah's Witnesses, as read. Mr. XXXXX particularly mentions that the "Letters to Elders" sent from the headquarters of the Jehovah's Witnesses are normally kept under lock and key, so that ordinary members do not see them. He asked why this process is so secretive. The spokesman from headquarters (in the United States) said on the programme that the Witnesses had their own register of paedophiles -- with 23,720 names on it (in Europe, Canada and the U. S.). As this is an international organisation, their policy stems from the U.S.; they are a corporate body whose representatives in England are not independent. One of the police officers interviewed on the programme, Sgt. Steve Colley of the West Midlands Police, said of the Simon Brady case with which he had been involved, that it was "criminally negligent" that the Witnesses had not passed on details to the police when they first learned them. I should like you to know that I am today tabling an EDM on the subject (copy enclosed). I hope that you will Institute and urgent inquiry into this whole question. Yours Helen (signature)
Simon	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:20:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Alberta, Calgary Post 6210 of 18081 Since 3/23/2000	Write to your local MP NOW! The more people and letters the better. People high up are seeing this for the big problem it is. Here is a big organisation that claims charitable status, refuses to pay taxes and even channels money abroad and is hurting a great many innocent children. This is one of the things government is there to do - to have a big stick that they can use to protect us little people against corporate bullies and abusers. Write, write, write !!!
New Eyes	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:22:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Post 30 of 58 Since 5/23/2001	Doing a little happy dance stop, type Doing a little happy dance
anglise	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:23:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
England, East Sussex Post 283 of 884 Since 2/17/2001	We are already putting together our letters for local MPs. We feel that enclosing the copies of the latest Kingdom Ministry on How to Treat Disfellowshipped Ones will also highlight the awful emotional blackmail that Witnesses face in coming forward with any accusations regarding problems in the congregations. Please everybody who can write to your local MP or anyone you think could help. Also a local Consultant Psychiatrist has intimated that there are JWs on the caseload where abuse IS an issue. Please help these ones to break the barrier of silence that prevails within the congregations.
Simon	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:27:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Alberta, Calgary Post 6212 of 18081 Since 3/23/2000	http://www.labour.org.uk/membersofparliament/ iframe
waiting	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:29:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
South Carolina Post 5654 of 7989 Since 5/13/2000	The Children of members of Jehovah's Witnesses must be afforded the same protection against sexual abuse as any other children in our society. - Helen Clark What an outstanding point of clarity! We tend to see them as Jehovah's Witnesses - and they are. But more importantly, they are children. It's hard to protect children - even harder when they belong to an organization who puts secrecy between the police, the government, and known pedophiles........and somehow the jw children are just pushed aside in instances - now documented. Thanks, Hawk! waiting
hawkaw	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:30:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Ontario Post 1904 of 3724 Since 3/22/2001	Simon et. al., If you can post the Minster's or Helen's Emails on this thread I would be sooooo greatful. There are of course, a few friends on the other side of the pond that are creating all sorts of hell on earth for uncle "Teddy" et. al. I can't tell you how big it would play out if there was an enquiry. Also you guys should send Helen's stuff to all the press people in London and other UK places. Send Panorama's web site and David Letterman's monlogues too. Get the "god damn" thing thrown into any rag - may it be main stream or tabloid style newspapers. I am telling you they will eat it up. hawk Edited by - hawkaw on 17 July 2002 14:31:52
hawkaw	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:33:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Ontario Post 1905 of 3724 Since 3/22/2001	Thanks Simon, hawk
waiting	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:41:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
South Carolina Post 5655 of 7989 Since 5/13/2000	Yeah, Simon, It caught my eye that there actually IS a man named Hilary. Until our Sir Hilary, I didn't realize that. Guess I was too used to hearing about Hilliary Clinton, eh? Thanks for the information also. waiting
Simon	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:54:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Alberta, Calgary Post 6214 of 18081 Since 3/23/2000	Helen Clark iframe Being such an advanced, computer literate nation, not all of our MPs have email addresses yet (or at least public ones). These pages have the address of their office and an email for that.
Simon	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:54:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Alberta, Calgary Post 6216 of 18081 Since 3/23/2000	Can't see them on this either: http://www.urban75.com/Action/politicians.html
Simon	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 18:56:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Alberta, Calgary Post 6218 of 18081 Since 3/23/2000	Ahh ... this is more like it! http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/alms.htm Doesn't give the email but lets you send a message to them from a web form.
expatbrit	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 19:25:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Post 1970 of 3851 Since 2/13/2001	Excellent! Resident Brits please write to you local MP's indicating your concern and support for a government enquiry. In addition, this would be good to include in a letter to the Charity Commission asking them to investigate the Watchtower. (see thread: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=32088&site=3) Hey Watchtower! Get out of my country! Expatbrit
aluminutty	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 19:27:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Post 42 of 111 Since 10/30/2001	Brraaaaaaaaaaaaaaavo!!!!! Now we're talking! To Simon and other UKers. do you think e-mails from thoughs of us in the states and other countries would be of any help? If so, count me in.
anglise	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 19:35:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
England, East Sussex Post 284 of 884 Since 2/17/2001	We have included in our letter the point that the JW policy and secret database of known abusers with the congs puts the children in their local communities at risk also from being called on by an abuser who isnt on the police sex offenders file. Would somebody on the police file be allowed to take up such work? Anglise
SYN	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 19:37:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Queensland Post 2344 of 5316 Since 12/27/2001	WOOHOO! Bravo! Finally, the Brooklyn Boys are now staring down the shaft of the gun! Imagine the super-urgent meetings being called up right now in Bethel! The sheer chaos! The soiling of the pants of the Collective Assimilants! TAKE THAT, TOWER! Excellent job, and bravo again for all involved in this exposing of the crimes that have been committed!
TruckerGB	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 20:00:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
England, Somerset Post 104 of 701 Since 2/10/2002	Just finished writing to my MP and the charities commission,Hope they check their Emails.
searchfothetruth	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 20:41:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
England, Merseyside Post 6 of 1055 Since 4/3/2002	If someone is confronted with a camera and they have to walk away without giving a defense then they are as guilty as hell and it showed in the face of the P.O. in Scotland (Panorama) I have had more success in the last week with Dateline and Panorama than ever before. The society are coming to a point now which is past defending, and unless they change their policy drastically (which we know they will not do!) then this is going to be a hard period for them. Of course I have heard the same old tripe about persecution??? but they are soon going to lose heart in defending what to everyone else is lunacy, i.e. no blood, abusers etc Now they are on the run, we should hit them with a charity commision investigation about their charity status. Let's see them defend that one!
Fredhall	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 20:43:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Post 3377 of 3499 Since 2/5/2001	AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! The Bobby Cops are coming!!!!!
expatbrit	Re: BRITISH MP CALLS FOR GOV. INQUIRY into abuse posted Wed, 17 Jul 2002 20:52:00 GMT (7/17/2002)
Post 1972 of 3851 Since 2/13/2001	Bugger off Fred, you're out of the shallow end. Expatbrit

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