A pastor who allegedly knew about the abuse was also indicted this week on a misdemeanor charge of failing to report the crimes.
Craig Johnson of Oak Grove Baptist Church pleaded not guilty. He’s free on $1,000 bond.
You can read the whole story here.
As my readers know, this has been a hot topic issue with me, for various reasons, but here, in this story, I find hope that pastors will be held accountable by our legal system, which 9.99 times they say we must obey, as ‘laws of the land’ until they come up against it.
Unfortunately, child protection laws here in West Virginia are taken from animal abuse laws, and often times the latter are stricter than the former. For not reporting child molestation,
Misdemeanor, up to 10 days in county jail and/or fine of $100
What exactly is need to report abuse?
Reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected or observes a child subjected to conditions likely to result in abuse or neglect
And who should report it?
Medical, dental, or mental health professional, religious healer, Christian Science practitioner, school teacher/personnel, social services worker, child care worker, EMT, peace or law enforcement official, circuit court judge, family law master or magistrate, clergy
And what should you report?
Physical, mental, or emotional injury, sexual abuse/exploitation, negligent treatment, sale or attempted sale of child; any circumstances which harm or threaten the health and welfare of the child
Read more: http://law.jrank.org/pages/11836/Child-Abuse.html#ixzz0Rw6loVNg
Now, for those pastors, at least here in West Virginia, who want to be honest with themselves, and do what is right in the site of God and the Law (which by the way is not the Law of Moses), they must report these crimes, especially if the evidence was delivered in your hand.
My wife and I will be attempting to contact our legislators to see something more than 11 days in jail and/or a $100 fine can be added to the law. Frankly, I like what Michigan has,
if abuse is felony, lesser of penalty for the abuse or imprisonment for not more than 4 yrs. and/or fine of not more than $2,000
Virginia has a tough one as well,
Failure to report within 72 hours of first suspicion of child abuse: fine up to $500; subsequent failures: $100-$1,000 fine
September 23rd, 2009 9:50 am
You go, Joel!!!!
Get ‘em.
God bless you.
September 23rd, 2009 10:27 am
In New South Wales, Australia, for mandatory reporting of child abuse:
“If a person to whom this section applies has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is at risk of harm, and those grounds arise during the course of or from the person’s work, the person must, as soon as practicable, report to the Director-General the name, or a description, of the child and the grounds for suspecting that the child is at risk of harm. Maximum penalty: 200 penalty units”. Currently $22,000
September 23rd, 2009 11:49 am
i agree. protecting child molesters through silence is aiding child molesters commit crime.
September 23rd, 2009 1:41 pm
why would anyone want to protect a child molester?
September 23rd, 2009 10:17 am
Thanks, Heidi!
September 23rd, 2009 12:09 pm
That’s my feeling, Dr. West.
If I drove the get-away car for a robbery, I would be charged with aiding and abetting. Why not in something like this?
September 23rd, 2009 1:46 pm
Can I give you the reason I was told?
Brian, if you will click through to one my first links, you’ll see a previous discussion with a former friend of mine.