Peacemaker, for every case that you mention of a false report, there are thousands upon thousands of “true” reports and thousands upon thousands of cases that never get reported. Are you saying that we should have more compassion for that one in thousands more so than the thousands of children that are molested throughout the country in their supposedly safe homes, safe schools and safe neighborhoods?
There is a shul in Boro Park where a well known child molester has been hanging out for years. No one did anything about it. People who are regulars just know to stay away from him and keep their kids away from him. Unfortunately those who are NOT regulars fall prey again and again. Is that right? Do you know how many children could have been saved just from him alone had anyone taken it upon themselves to report him and remove him from the shul? Their claim is “Everyone knows about him and knows to stay away”. Is that good enough for you? Do you know which shul I am talking about? What if you don’t and you walk in with your kids? Are you comfortable about that? You are going to daven in shul and taking your kids to perform the same mitzvah and just because no one wants to report this pedophile your kid might be his next victim.
There is a guy that hangs out at the mikveh most of the day. You and your boys don’t know that because it is NOT your habit or you are new to the neighborhood. “Everyone” knows about him. Really? Everyone but you. Do you feel comfortable about that? How come you don’t know? How come he is there? How come no one does anything about it? What business does he have hanging around there?
Lets understand that the proper authorities know how to weed out false claims and yes some do fall through the cracks and those are the ones that you hear about. AND unfortunately some claims against abuse also fall through the cracks and those predators get off and those victims are not believed. it is the same story in reverse. These things happen but that is NOT a good enough reason to risk the larger portion of the innocent community.