The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement on Wednesday night presenting the details of what it actually labels as ‘gross and egregious errors’ in an Associated Press story done last week about the Church’s abuse helpline and a case of child sexual abuse in Arizona.
In the statement, the church made a reference to its policies that it is guided by the leaders and members of the church who knows about child sexual abuse to ensure the well-being of the victim and take care of them.
Labeling the controversial piece of writing as ‘significant flaws’ and for drawing ‘erroneous conclusions’ the church statement criticized the AP story. The church went on to say that the child abuse helpline is established with the purpose of protecting child victims whereas the story has charged the helpline with covering up the abuse.
The new statement was released, it said, because Church leaders were aware that journalists and others wondered after the first statement what exactly the Church believed was incorrect in the AP story. The second statement was designed to help media, members and others understand how the Church handles child abuse, including particulars about the Arizona case, the statement said.
The lengthy statement released from the church showed a briefing and their take on the story and the responsibility of the church officials and members behind the societal menace including the one on associated with Arizona sex abuse.
The statement reads, “From the thundering rebuke of former President Gordon B. Hinckley to the recent words of healing offered by Elder Patrick Kearon of the Presidency of the Seventy, our feelings are clear. We echo those sentiments and teachings today.
Our hearts are broken as we learn of any abuse. It cannot be tolerated. It cannot be excused. The Savior Jesus Christ wants us all to do better and be better.”
The statement also found the mentioning of a part giving instructions to the church leaders and members from the ‘General Handbook’ on the matter of child abuse:
• Assure that child sexual abuse is stopped;
• Help victims receive care, including from professional counselors; and
• Comply with whatever reporting is required by law.
What is the matter associated with the Associated Press?
The AP story has significant flaws as said by the church in their statement in the facts and timeline, which has led to an erroneous conclusion.
The church has made reference to the timeline with regards to the latest abuse case on the boil and claimed the AP story has significant flaws in its facts and timeline, which lead to erroneous conclusions.
The statement from the church reads, “The AP story ignores this timeline and sequence of events and implies that all these facts were known by a bishop as early as 2011, a clearly erroneous conclusion.
The suggestion that the help line is used to “cover up” abuse is completely false.”
It further said that the abuse helpline has everything to do with protecting children and nothing to do with covering up. The church is in existence for more than a quarter of the century.
• By laying down a series of other provisions and mentioning the purpose the statement also read:
• Comply with the various laws of child abuse reporting in all 50 states and the provinces of Canada, ministering to the needs of victims and their families where we can, while reporting abuse consistent with the law.
• To encourage victims, family members, and perpetrators to seek professional counseling and to report abuse to the authorities themselves.
• To directly report the abuse to authorities, regardless of legal exemptions from reporting requirements, when it is known that a child is in imminent danger. The helpline routinely reports cases of child abuse to authorities. Outside experts who are aware of the Helpline have regularly praised it.
• Even when a report is not required or is even prohibited by law (because the confession is “owned” by the confessor), the helpline encourages leaders to pursue ways to ensure these three goals are met.
• Those who serve on the helpline are parents and grandparents themselves and include former government child abuse investigators and child abuse prosecutors. Some are even themselves survivors of abuse. The notion that there would be any incentive on their part to cover up child abuse is absurd.
We are puzzled as to why or how a media source as respected as the Associated Press would make such egregious errors in reporting and editing.
The church on very strong terms issued remarks on the conclusive segment that it will not stand on terms if some other mischaracterize or completely misrepresent the Church’s long-term efforts and commitment.
Nor it will tolerate the Associate Press or any media firms talking in this manner against the long time commitment of the church.
“We are constantly striving to be better and do more, and we invite others to join us in such efforts.” The church statement read with President Gordon B. Hinckley undersigned.