Our Shavout Learning and Discussion evening was a huge success and boasted a record attendance of 300 people. Judging by the responses and feedback, it seems that everyone left far more knowledgeable, and better equipped, than when they came. 

In view of the seriousness of the matter we brought together a panel of experts to create awareness and to suggest strategies for both the prevention and reporting of this terrible crime. The success of the evening would not have been possible without the time, energy and commitment of the speakers. A very special thank you to Norman Rosenbaum for leaving his family and coming to join us all the way from Melbourne. It was a discussion with Norman several months ago that inspired me to dedicate Shavuot to this painful but most important subject. 

And thank you Amanda Gordon, Superintendent Michael Fitzgerald, Rabbi Mendel Kastel, Pam Swinfield, John Hamey, Deborah Blackman and Joshua Levi. Each speaker brought a unique perspective and added value to the evening.

--0--

I am incorporating here my brief introductory remarks to the Panel Discussion:

Child Sex Abuse is a crime that affects one in three boys and one in six girls in the general community. We don't have statistics for the Jewish community, and of course we hope it's less, but there is certainly no reason to be complacent. Generally speaking it has been shown that child sex abuse crosses social economic, racial and cultural divides.

The impact of abuse often leads to a life-time of mental health issues, drug and alcohol abuse, crime and prostitution.

Why Shavuot?

The Midrash tells us that Beneinu Areivim b'adeinu - our children are the guarantors of the Jewish tradition. Or to quote Golda Meir - "Who is Jewish? One whose grandchildren are Jewish". But it is our responsibility to guarantee the safety of those guarantors!

But it goes beyond that - Torah is a religion that is based on the tradition of those who come before us.

If those previous generations prove to be corrupt, our entire tradition is undermined. Indeed studies have demonstrated that the prime cause of attrition from Judaism is when children hear disparaging remarks in their homes about their teachers and rabbis. Certainly a reason why parents should be careful about what they say in their children's presence.

But if there is to be concern for comments about leaders that are untrue, imagine the impact on children when the remarks are true! When they realise that those whom they trusted to hand them the Torah either perpetrated these vile things, or allowed them to continue!

There are those who have kept things in-house because they feared for the negative impact on the institutions. The reality is of course the opposite. The cover-up causes the most negative impact of all.

Let me therefore make it clear:

•   There is an obligation not to stand idly by when one's brother's blood is being spilt, "Do not stand on the blood of your friend!" One has to take action.
•   According to the Talmud - a sexual crime is akin to murder! Indeed, sexual crimes often lead to the suicide and death of the victim.
•   In halachik parlance - the perpetrator has the law of a "pursuer" a rodef - and every possible means must be taken to ensure that he is stopped
•   From a halachik perspective it is imperative that any sexual abuse whatsoever be reported to the appropriate authorities - police, DOCS, etc/ There is no prohibition whatsoever against reporting to secular authorities matters which involve danger to life and limb.​

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM