Missouri Molestation Case

[ILG]

Originally Posted by HADDOCK

Since this has come up in this thread....

Suppose a UPC pastor (or any pastor) becomes aware of fact (not rumored, because the man and the victim told the same story to the pastor) of one of his male members sexually abusing his own step-daughter, should the pastor report this to law enforcement officials or simply counsel with the family and cover it up?

I think the man should be encouraged to turn himself in and if he doesn't, the pastor should do it. I think repentance demands it.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by ILG

I think the man should be encouraged to turn himself in and if he doesn't, the pastor should do it. I think repentance demands it.

When a minor child's safety hangs in the balance, there is no time to allow for the abuser to make up his mind about whether or not he wants to turn himself in. The first concern should be the safety of the victim. Repentance and other concerns for the abuser can be addressed after that. ...let's say a man is abusing his stepdaughter (as someone hypothesized above)...would a pastor counsel him to consider turning himself in and then allow him to go back home to his stepdaughter?

I only agree if by "encouraged to turn himself in", you mean something along the lines of, "Call the authorities and turn yourself in, right here in my presence, right now, or I will do it myself."

[HADDOCK]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

When a minor child's safety hangs in the balance, there is no time to allow for the abuser to make up his mind about whether or not he wants to turn himself in. The first concern should be the safety of the victim. Repentance and other concerns for the abuser can be addressed after that. ...let's say a man is abusing his stepdaughter (as someone hypothesized above)...would a pastor counsel him to consider turning himself in and then allow him to go back home to his stepdaughter?

I only agree if by "encouraged to turn himself in", you mean something along the lines of, "Call the authorities and turn yourself in, right here in my presence, right now, or I will do it myself."

That was not a hypothesis, but a factual, true case. I knew the preacher, the family and because of my employment knew the inside facts of the criminal proceedings. It was also very disturbing because the mother of the child knew as well as the pastor's wife and some other family members who were also members of the same church. It was never reported by the pastor and some outside apparently had suspicion that something was going on even a few years later when the agencies were notified. It was THEN that the incident came to light. One of the agencies involved wanted to bring charges against the mother and the pastor for not reporting but that wasn't done.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by HADDOCK

That was not a hypothesis, but a factual, true case.

Oh, sorry. Well, it seemed like that, since you said, "Suppose a UPC pastor ...."

[HADDOCK]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Oh, sorry. Well, it seemed like that, since you said, "Suppose a UPC pastor ...."

I think I did word it that way -- but it is a real situation.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

When a minor child's safety hangs in the balance, there is no time to allow for the abuser to make up his mind about whether or not he wants to turn himself in. The first concern should be the safety of the victim. Repentance and other concerns for the abuser can be addressed after that. ...let's say a man is abusing his stepdaughter (as someone hypothesized above)...would a pastor counsel him to consider turning himself in and then allow him to go back home to his stepdaughter?

I only agree if by "encouraged to turn himself in", you mean something along the lines of, "Call the authorities and turn yourself in, right here in my presence, right now, or I will do it myself."

This is what I mean.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by ILG

This is what I mean.

Oh Good. Now we have nothing to argue about. You could've strung me along a bit. Made it fun.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Oh Good. Now we have nothing to argue about. You could've strung me along a bit. Made it fun.

Sure!

But no, I would not give him one night. But I would do it in such a fashion as to be compassionate. Not TURN YOURSELF IN OR I WILL!!! But "You have admitted your error and that is great. Now, to truly make it right you need to do the rest of it and make a phone call." And then if he doesn't I would.

[HADDOCK]

This situation really took some interesting turns... during the investigation and knowing an indictment was coming, the child agency would not allow the man and the children in the same home. The pastor allowed him to move into the evangelistic quarters in the church building, which is where the man was actually arrested.

In the criminal community it was questioned "Is this how Pentecostals handle these affairs?" -- almost to insinuate they were above the law and took things into their own hands -- the forgive and forget idea.

The pastor also refused to allow the victim to go on certain youth trips --??

The man did counseling but eventually entered a "best interest" plea, which basically meant, I'm not saying I'm guilty, but I know this is in my best interest because if I go to trial it could be a worse outcome! The plea came at the last minute prior to the trial and a subpoena was issued for the pastor to testify.

[Amos]

Originally Posted by ILG

Sure!

But no, I would not give him one night. But I would do it in such a fashion as to be compassionate. Not TURN YOURSELF IN OR I WILL!!! But "You have admitted your error and that is great. Now, to truly make it right you need to do the rest of it and make a phone call." And then if he doesn't I would.

In one case I sat down across the table from an individual in his kitchen, pointed to the phone, and said, "You call the sherrif or I will."

He made the call.