Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses to Escape Judgment for Crimes Against the Children?

From: Robert
To: "director@opp.vic.gov.au" <director@opp.vic.gov.au>
Cc:Hon Mr Bruce Atkinson <bruce.atkinson@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Greg Barber <greg.barber@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Candy Broad <candy.broad@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mrs Andrea Coote <andrea.coote@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Georgie Crozier <georgie.crozier@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Richard Dalla-Riva <richard.dalla-riva@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Kaye Darveniza <kaye.darveniza@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon David Davis <david.davis@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Philip Davis <philip.davis@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Damian Drum <damian.drum@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Khalil Eideh <khalil.eideh@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Nazih Elasmar <nazih.elasmar@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Andrew Elsbury <andrew.elsbury@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Bernie Finn <bernie.finn@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Matthew Guy <matthew.guy@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Peter Hall <peter.hall@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Colleen Hartland <colleen.hartland@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Gavin Jennings <gavin.jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr David Koch <david.koch@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mrs Jan Kronberg <jan.kronberg@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Shaun Leane <shaun.leane@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr John Lenders <john.lenders@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Wendy Lovell <wendy.lovell@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Jenny Mikakos <jenny.mikakos@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr David O'Brien <david.o'brien@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Edward O'Donohue <edward.o'donohue@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Craig Ondarchie <craig.ondarchie@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Martin Pakula <martin.pakula@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Sue Pennicuik <sue.pennicuik@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mrs Donna Petrovich <donna.petrovich@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mrs Inga Peulich <inga.peulich@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Jaala Pulford <jaala.pulford@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Simon Ramsay <simon.ramsay@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Gordon Rich-Phillips <gordon.rich-phillips@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Johan Scheffer <johan.scheffer@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Adem Somyurek <adem.somyurek@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Lee Tarlamis <lee.tarlamis@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Brian Tee <brian.tee@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Gayle Tierney <gayle.tierney@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Matt Viney <matthew.viney@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Jacinta Allan <jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Daniel Andrews <daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Neil Angus <neil.angus@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Louise Asher <louise.asher@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Ted Baillieu <ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Ann Barker <ann.barker@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Brad Battin <brad.battin@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mrs Donna Bauer <donna.bauer@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Liz Beattie <elizabeth.beattie@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Gary Blackwood <gary.blackwood@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Colin Brooks <colin.brooks@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Tim Bull <tim.bull@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Neale Burgess <neale.burgess@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Christine Campbell <christine.campbell@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Anthony Carbines <anthony.carbines@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Robert Clark <robert.clark@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Peter Crisp <peter.crisp@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Lily D'Ambrosio <lily.d'ambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Hugh Delahunty <hugh.delahunty@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Martin Dixon <martin.dixon@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Luke Donnellan <luke.donnellan@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Jo Duncan <joanne.duncan@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Maree Edwards <maree.edwards@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr John Eren <john.eren@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Martin Foley <martin.foley@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Christine Fyffe <christine.fyffe@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Jane Garrett <jane.garrett@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Michael Gidley <michael.gidley@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Judith Graley <judith.graley@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Danielle Green <danielle.green@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Bronwyn Halfpenny <bronwyn.halfpenny@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Joe Helper <joe.helper@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Jill Hennessy <jill.hennessy@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Steve Herbert <steven.herbert@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr David Hodgett <david.hodgett@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Tim Holding <timothy.holding@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Geoff Howard <geoff.howard@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Natalie Hutchins <natalie.hutchins@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Marlene Kairouz <marlene.kairouz@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Andrew Katos <andrew.katos@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Sharon Knight <sharon.knight@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Nicholas Kotsiras <nicholas.kotsiras@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Telmo Languiller <telmo.languiller@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Hong Lim <hong.lim@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Justin Madden <justin.madden@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Tim McCurdy <tim.mccurdy@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Frank McGuire <frank.mcguire@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Andrew McIntosh <andrew.mcintosh@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Cindy McLeish <cindy.mcleish@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr James Merlino <james.merlino@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Elizabeth Miller <elizabeth.miller@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr David Morris <david.morris@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Terry Mulder <terence.mulder@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Dr Denis Napthine <denis.napthine@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Don Nardella <don.nardella@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Lisa Neville <lisa.neville@parliament.vic.gov.au>Senator Nick Xenophon; <senator.xenophon@aph.gov.au>; Steven Unthank <stevenunthank@email.com>; Hon Richard Wynne <richard.wynne@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Lorraine Wreford <lorraine.wreford@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Mary Wooldridge <mary.wooldridge@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Kim Wells <kim.wells@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Paul Weller <paul.weller@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Graham Watt <graham.watt@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Peter Walsh <peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Nick Wakeling <nick.wakeling@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mrs Heidi Victoria <heidi.victoria@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Ian Trezise <ian.trezise@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Bill Tilley <bill.tilley@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Marsha Thomson <marsha.thomson@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Murray Thompson <murray.thompson@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Dr Bill Sykes <bill.sykes@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr David Southwick <david.southwick@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Ryan Smith <ryan.smith@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Ken Smith <ken.smith@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Geoff Shaw <geoff.shaw@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Robin Scott <robin.scott@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Peter Ryan <peter.ryan@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Dee Ryall <dee.ryall@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Ms Fiona Richardson <fiona.richardson@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Jeanette Powell <jeanette.powell@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Bronwyn Pike <bronwyn.pike@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Jude Perera <jude.perera@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon John Pandazopoulos <john.pandazopoulos@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Tim Pallas <tim.pallas@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Hon Michael O'Brien <michael.o'brien@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Russell Northe <russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Wade Noonan <wade.noonan@parliament.vic.gov.au>; Mr Clem Newton-Brown <clem.newton-brown@parliament.vic.gov.au>

Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 4:12 PM
Subject: Why Did You Decide Not to Enforce the Victoria's "Working with Children Act 2005"?

Dear Mr John Champion SC,

I respectfully ask that you publicly answer the following questions:

·   Please elaborate why you decided to discontinue prosecuting the following 5 cases based on "an evidentiary level, there is no reasonable prospect of conviction in relation to these offences.” and it "is not in the public interest"?  Steven Unthank sent you an email asking you to reconsider your decision and his reasons why on February 20, 2011.  Also, other interested persons, such as myself,  sent you emails asking you to reconsider your decision because government inaction regarding the cases would further cripple the "Working with Children Act of 2005".

o   Corporate Accused: GOVERNING BODY OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Case No.: B12083527),

o   Corporate Accused: FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE (Case No.: B12083367),

o   Corporate Accused: CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Case No.: B12083108),

o   Corporate Accused: WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC. (Case No.: B12083833), and

o   WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA (Case No.: B12082206)

·   Why did you wait until the day before the hearing date of February 21, 2012 to notify Steven Unthank, who was acting prosecutor, of your decision?  Your last minute notification gave you insufficient time to fully consider and address Steven Unthank's (and others) concerns about dropping the cases without going to trail.

·   How did your actions strengthen enforcement of "Working with Children Act of 2005" and instill confidence in the OPPV to serve Justice and the Community?

I checked the media link for the Office of Public Prosecutions, Victoria today February 23, 2012 (Australian time), and could not find any public notification of any of the aforementioned cases nor an explanation of your decision on February 21, 2012.

In the past several months I have written you emails (see attached emails) trying to help you to understand how important it is to prosecute the leadership of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, instead of individual Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW), who did not comply with Victorian Child protection law(s).  The Society is a dangerous cult and points a “Shun Gun” at the mind of every JW and everyday to blindly follow the Society’s leadership.  Imagine your JW parents, children, relatives, and/or friends blindly following the Society’s instructions to shun talking and communicating with you because you publicly disagree with their policy of not following Victoria’s child protection laws - Steven Unthank is living that reality.  Steven Unthank’s cases were aimed at bringing to justice the Watchtower leadership, rather than further persecuting JWs and wasting precious resources of Victorians.

Thank you in advance for reading my email and I look forward to reading your public answers to my questions.  Also, I apologize for sending you two copies of the same email so that I could cc this email to more than 100 other people.

Regards,

Robert

cc: 40 Members of Victoria’s Legislative Council

      87 Members of Victoria’s Legislative Assembly

      Steven Unthank

      Senator Nick Xenophon

From: Robert
To: "director@opp.vic.gov.au" <director@opp.vic.gov.au>
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 12:24 PM
Subject: Please Prosecute to the Fullest Extent Steven Unthank's Private Criminal Prosecutions

Dear John Champion SC,

I respectfully request that the Office of Public Prosecutions Victoria (OPPV) prosecute to the fullest extent of the law the following cases:

·   Corporate Accused: GOVERNING BODY OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Case No.: B12083527),

·   Corporate Accused: FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE (Case No.: B12083367),

·   Corporate Accused: CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (Case No.: B12083108),

·   Corporate Accused: WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC. (Case No.: B12083833), and

·   WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA (Case No.: B12082206)

Although I am an American citizen and father, I was deeply saddened today to learn that the OPPV plans to take over prosecuting the aforementioned cases and then dismiss them on February 21, 2012.  I was hoping that after writing to you in November 2011 (see attached email) that you would have a better understanding of the significant strategic consequences of not fully prosecuting the aforementioned cases.   Even if the OPPV is not successful in prosecuting the aforementioned cases, a significant message will be sent to the Watchtower Leadership - Follow the Law!  Have you considered how the OPPV's planned dismissals will further weaken Victoria's Child Protection Laws and be interpreted by the Society's leadership?  The Society is a dangerous cult and its leadership views governments with the utmost contempt, so in a year or two the Society may again direct its Victorian elders not to follow Victorian Child Protection law(s).

Please reconsider your decision to dismiss the aforementioned cases.  If Victorian government officials fail to prosecute the aforementioned cases, then Steven Unthank will be the last hope for Victorian JW children for protection from child abuse and molestation by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Regards,
Robert

From: Robert
To: director@opp.vic.gov.au
Sent: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 11:32 AM
Subject: Please Take Over Prosecution of Cases by Steven Unthank

Dear John Champion SC,

I respectfully request that the Office of Public Prosecutions Victoria take over prosecuting from Steven Unthank of Steven Unthank versus the Governing Body Of Jehovah's Witnesses (CID B12083527), Christian Congregation Of Jehovah's (CID B12083108), Faithful And Discreet Slave (CID B12083367), Watch Tower Bible And Tract Society (CID B12083833), and Watchtower Bible And Tract Society (CID B12082206).  Steven Unthank has done a fantastic prosecution to date, but is not as well trained to prosecute the aforementioned cases as the Office of Public Prosecutions is.  A joint effort with the Office of Public Prosecutions in the lead prosecutors role and Steven Unthank as subject matter expert would increase the possibility of successfully winning the aforementioned cases.

Although the prosecution of the Watchtower and its leaders may appear insignificant, it may have much broader ramifications when viewing the international reach and history of the Watchtower.  Please view the following web pages to understand how the Watchtower and its leaders operate:  http://jwfacts.com/watchtower/bulgaria-blood-transfusions.php, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLAC9kS_EqM, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/war-of-words-breaks-out-among-jehovahs-witnesses-2361448.html.  The Watchtower is a dangerous cult as defined by Steve Hassan in his book Combatting Cult Mind Control and viewing his website www.freedomofmind.com.  To understand a dangerous cult like the Watchtower, the OPPV will need subject matter experts like Steve Hassan and former JWs, because although the Watchtower and its leaders do speak English the words they use may have a different meaning than a normal person would interpret.  If the OPPV needs additional subject matter experts or would like to obtain photocopies of previous Watchtower literature, I recommend that the OPPV become members of English-speaking exJW forums such as www.jehovahs-witness.net, www.jwsupportforum.com, exjehovahswitnessforum.yuku.com, and www.jehovahswitnessrecovery.com and request information from members of those forums.

I hope and pray that the OPPV tenaciously prosecutes the Watchtower and its leaders, because, if the OPPV does not, the Watchtower may after a year or two stop complying with Victoria's child protection law because of the arrogance of the Watchtower's leaders that they are superior to worldly governments.  Also, I hope that if the Watchtower is successfully prosecuted in Australia so that legislators in all governments will enact laws to scrutinize organizations that apply for tax exempt and charitable government programs to exclude organizations that are dangerous cults.  Reducing funding sources for dangerous cults is possibly the least expensive way to eradicate them.