Reminder: advice on avoiding libel in posts on TMB
May 11, 2023 20:26:34 GMT -5
snow, jonathan, and 2 more like this
Post by Admin on May 11, 2023 20:26:34 GMT -5
I am re-posting here some historical advice regarding ProBoards rules to prevent posts containing libel on TMB. The historical context (brief shut-down of TMB due to libelous posts, back in 2007) is of interest.
Here is an example of recent concerns:
Yes, please keep names off TMB where there are unproven allegations (or worse, rumors). Even initials are verboten, by ProBoards rules. Publishing of workers' emails which contain names are generally fine. Police reports and legal cases are clearly OK too.
If in doubt, please PM me and I'll try and make a correct call. Thanks!
admin
There’s many reasons people don’t bring allegations forward; fear and shame are the two main reasons. People do get more courageous in numbers. When there’s a power imbalance it’s even harder. They think everyone will side with the more powerful person.
But hey, if this mom never came forward I don’t understand what the deal is. I don’t look at it as abuse or illegal. Immoral? Yes.Difficult territory, the fundamental allegation in this. An alleged ongoing sexual relationship between a 'professing to be Christian' overseer and a married mom, presumably consensual (nothing to indicate otherwise, at this stage). Ethical, moral and Christian alarm bells, for sure. Then there's the power imbalance between overseers/senior workers and mere 'friends' (especially young moms, I imagine) which could make relationships of this kind in the category of 'abuse'.
What is undeniably shocking, for me, is the interrogation of those poor kids by effectively 'big bullies'.
In the legal system, there's the presumption of innocence until proven guilty under the law.
In the F&W system, it's not so clear what is the appropriate response. Certainly the interrogation, lack of openness and shutting down of valid concerns and questions by those in power is not the correct way to handle these matters. What are the ethically/spiritually correct obligations and courses of action, for workers 'under a cloud', be it CSA or SA or morally questionable sexual behavior?
admin
Here is an example of recent concerns:
The plot just thickened tonight. Allegations this relationship continues to this day, by a relative of the woman involved. It will be posted here in due time, most likely with names redacted. I have seen the names but will not reveal them.
If in doubt, please PM me and I'll try and make a correct call. Thanks!
admin
I get what you’re saying Dan. I have said from the beginning I would not like to see a witch hunt out of this. I agree years of silence and then overnight all these allegations and this JT one sounds totally unrelated to the abuse. If it happened it was probably consensual? But we don’t know for certain.
There’s many reasons people don’t bring allegations forward; fear and shame are the two main reasons. People do get more courageous in numbers. When there’s a power imbalance it’s even harder. They think everyone will side with the more powerful person.
But hey, if this mom never came forward I don’t understand what the deal is. I don’t look at it as abuse or illegal. Immoral? Yes.
What is undeniably shocking, for me, is the interrogation of those poor kids by effectively 'big bullies'.
In the legal system, there's the presumption of innocence until proven guilty under the law.
In the F&W system, it's not so clear what is the appropriate response. Certainly the interrogation, lack of openness and shutting down of valid concerns and questions by those in power is not the correct way to handle these matters. What are the ethically/spiritually correct obligations and courses of action, for workers 'under a cloud', be it CSA or SA or morally questionable sexual behavior?
admin