BAD news: Governor signs bill requiring clergy to report child abuse

[trotsky]

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/03/28/governor-signs-bill-requiring-clergy-to-report-child-abuse/

In response in part to the child sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, Virginia will have a new law on July 1 requiring priests, ministers, rabbis and other clergy members to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.

Gov. Ralph Northam has signed into law two bills — HB 1659, sponsored by Del. Karrie Delaney, D-Fairfax, and SB 1257, introduced by Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel, R-Fauquier. The measures mandate that religious officials must report any suspected abuse to local law enforcement.

The bills passed unanimously in the House and Senate last month.

Sounds like good news, right? No it's bad news because it still allows churches to cover up abuse:

However, the law will exempt clergy members from the reporting requirement when confidentiality is required by the religious organization, such as anything a priest hears during confession.

[California_Republic]

1. Correction ' good news'

[trotsky]

2. Please read the full post. n/t

[guillaumeb]

3. Are lawyers mandated reporters?

Given that most child abuse happens in the home, one might ask why attorneys are not mandated reporters.

[trotsky]

6. Yeah, whatabout other child abuse?

This thread is about how religious privilege will prevent the reporting of some abuse.

Do you have anything to say about that?

[Major Nikon]

12. Busted again

[guillaumeb]

15. Incorreect.

Why Whataboutism is a Fallacy

Whataboutism suggests that two wrongs make a right.

If we accept whataboutism arguments, then nothing can be deemed wrong, as long as we can think of examples of things that are worse.

https://simplicable.com/new/whataboutism

[trotsky]

20. Wow you've tried to latch on to that aspect like a pitbull.

Too bad it doesn't mean what you think it does.

It doesn't state that you are INTENDING to have "two wrongs make a right." No one is claiming that's what you're doing, either.

Whataboutism in itself means that any wrong can be dismissed if you can bring up another wrong that you present as worse, or more encompassing. As you continue to do with the Chinese government, trying to associate their policies with atheism. You seek to squelch discussion of religious intolerance by presenting general intolerance as the REAL problem. The WORSE problem.

There are many kinds of intolerance, g. Religious intolerance is real, and one of them.

I am sorry that upsets you so much. But closing your eyes to it and denying it will only perpetuate it. That's evil.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

9. In most states, if they know their client will commit a crime, yes.

Most mandatory reporter laws list those that are in frequent contact with children. Hence the reason attorneys are not explicitly on that list.

[guillaumeb]

16. In this case, the crime has been committed.

So your example does not apply.

[marylandblue]

17. If the crime has already been committed, then the lawyer's duty

is to ensure that the suspect gets a fair trial. Since the lawyer (and only the lawyer) is legally bound to protect the client, it would be a conflict of interest and prejudicial to his client to report the crime. Although our society breaks many privileged communications to protect children, the principle of innocent until proven guilty is enshrined in the Constitution thus we also acknowledge that the accused also has rights that need to be protected. The only way to protect these rights is to provide the accused with at least one legal expert who's only duty is to protect him.

[guillaumeb]

21. That would be the Prosecutor.

In my opinion, this law is an attempt to satisfy both sides.

[guillaumeb]

4. From the article:

To receive reports of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy, the Virginia State Police have a website, www.virginiaclergyhotline.com, and a toll-free hotline, 833-454-9064. Callers may remain anonymous.

[trotsky]

5. Also from the article:

However, the law will exempt clergy members from the reporting requirement when confidentiality is required by the religious organization, such as anything a priest hears during confession.

Toothless and deferring to religious privilege. Now we know why the sex abuse scandal is so much worse in the RCC.

[guillaumeb]

7. Virginia legislators seem detyermined to have it both ways.

Probably out of concern for separation of church and state.

I think that they are wrong, but they did not ask me.

[trotsky]

8. Two words: religious privilege.

You think they are wrong?

Do you believe that priests SHOULD have to reveal evidence of child abuse that they receive in confessional?

That would be a change in your position. Please confirm.

[Mariana]

10. Maybe he means he thinks it's wrong

that any member of the clergy should be required to report child abuse, ever.

[trotsky]

11. I think you're way more likely to be correct than I am.

But I am certain he will not give a clear answer.

[marylandblue]

18. Alternatively, he means only the RCC should get the privilege

But the law says that any denomination that claims the privilege will get it. This avoids appearing to give the RCC special treatment but also makes the law worthless.

[guillaumeb]

14. RCC Canon Law is clear.

And the Virginia Legislature obviously deferred to it.

[trotsky]

19. Because of religious privilege. Thank you for confirming I'm right. n/t

[Major Nikon]

13. Good news for all the child rape apologists