I would not say stupid.
Naive, perhaps, but not stupid.
And being out of the country, makes it a bit harder to go to the police before the religious authorities.
And actually, they took the appropriate Scriptural action. Take it to the church leaders. THAT"S where the ball got dropped and if you read the article again, they were stymied by those very same officials.
“And actually, they took the appropriate Scriptural action. Take it to the church leaders.”
This is true except a crime has occurred. A very serious crime. One that only the law should handle. This just gives the perp a chance to cover it up. Yes take it to the church leaders but let the police do that. The police can sort it out better than you and I. They have experience in telling if someone is lying that you and I don’t posses.
Plus and I hate to say this the church has it’s reputation to consider. A sex abuse scandal can ruin any church. Yes they will attack the victim and the victims family in order to protect their reputation. It’s wrong but true.
Plus your child needs to be seen by a doctor in order to be treated and maybe collect evidence if the crime had just occurred.
Watch this video by Anna Saulter. The pastor in it was found guilty of sex abuse. Was a long time ago but it’s haunting. He talked about he won people’s trust in the church and how he got away with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sEqWlJbEX4&list=PLFhKns6iHFzbu5-WRGg0L__H5i4I0wG9A