Well, perhaps instead of a fear-reaction, posters spoke to the issues raised, that would suffice?
You have mistaken a cynical reply for a fear reaction. But what the hey today is the first day of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and there are literally hundreds of articles out there that could be posted for this discussion, but I guess this five year old one will have to do.
The biggest reason (next to pride or shame) that most churches do not report child abuse is that of liability.
In most states, the law requires that when child sexual abuse is discovered that abuse must be reported.
In states where reporting abuse is required, the state seldom pursues those who do not, especially in churches.
We need to change the laws where liabilities are capped for those who report abuse promptly and anyone withholding information about child abuse is prosecuted. This would give incentives for churches to be proactive in preventing child abuse and serve as a deterrent for those wishing to covering up abuse activities.
In a perfect world and in a perfect church laws would be unnecessary to prevent abuse in the church. But this is not a perfect world and no church is perfect so we must not leave churches to police themselves, expecting only positive results.
Millstones and prison sentences await those who abuse children, why is it not the same for those who hide this abuse?