Conference in Jerusalem: One part of the response to the Nachlaot tragedy.
Moishe Witkes, Mentor for Kav L’Noar together with input from the staff of Kav L’Noar wrote in to Ima2seven with the following information about the 8th Annual Conference Promoting Healthy Family Relationships at the Ramada Hotel on January 22,2012:
CONFRONTING ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.Â
I felt is was important enough to publish as a separate post. Please read the information, and attend the conference if you can. May we see such a conference and increased education in the Jewish communities in chutz l’aretz as well.
Moishe Witkes writes:Â
“In response to the latest reports regarding the sexual abuse of children involving a ring of pedophiles in Nachlaot, I need to express my sorrow for the young children and their families who have been victimized. I feel frustrated. We are faced in our community with an avoidable tragedy.
As a social worker and clinical therapist having dealt with abuse in our community, I am unfortunately not surprised by these events. When there is insufficient commitment to transparency and education, these events can plague our community. Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is an uncomfortable topic in most communities and even more so in the religious community.
Our duty as professionals, parents, volunteers and leaders in the community is to ensure the safety, healthy development, and growth of our children. It is critical that we are informed and familiar with the inherent risks in the relationships we initiate for our children.
More information about sexual abuse and useful tools to help build awareness, educate and prevent more children from being abused and hopefully prevent these tragedies from occurring in our communities will be discussed at the upcoming
8th Annual Conference Promoting Healthy Family Relationships at the Ramada Hotel on January 22,2012
CONFRONTING ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITY
This conference was planned several months ago and will feature Rav Zev Leff and Dr. David Pelcovitz. A message from a parent whose children are victims of abuse will be included in the program.
Please visit our website http://www.kavlnoar.org/ for more information and to register for the conference.
http://www.kavlnoar.org/the-8th-annual-kav-lnoar-conference-promoting-healthy-family-relationships/”
If you would like to contact the author you may do so via Email:MoisheWitkes@gmail.com
Questions can be sent now for Rabbi Leff and Dr. Pelcovitz tokalnoarcenter@gmail.com
In response to the latest reports regarding the sexual abuse of children involving a ring of pedophiles in Nachlaot, I need to express my sorrow for the young children and their families who have been victimized. I feel frustrated. We are again faced in our community with another avoidable tragedy.
The accusations of molestation involving these children are believed to include more than 50 incidents spanning only a few years. It seems clear now that the alleged abusers used their positions of trust as volunteers within the community to take advantage of and abuse their innocent victims. Police and some community workers are under scrutiny for turning a blind eye to this abuse. The very people who were entrusted by the community are part of the problem.
As a social worker and clinical therapist having dealt with abuse in our community, I am unfortunately not surprised by these events. While there is insufficient commitment to transparency and education these events will continue to plague our community.
This has been the modus operandi of the Nachlaot perpetrators.
There needs to be more careful and considerate control over these relationships without stifling the good work that is being done by the majority of the professional social workers and psychologists in the community.
Because there are those who look to exploit and victimize children under the guise of a volunteer program, and because vulnerable youth are encouraged to establish trust and break down natural barriers of caution when engaging in such a relationship, the opportunity for sexual abuse is greater than in normal circumstances.
Organizations like Kav Lnoar are essential in this oversight process; they are needed to insure that employees are certified and monitored in relation to managing and implementing the volunteer and mentoring programs that can often be so invaluable for our young people who are so in need of guidance and support.
Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is an uncomfortable topic in most communities and even more so in the religious community, particularly in the male-dominated Yeshiva world. In my experience dealing with at-risk youth, I have seen the same situations repeat themselves: child sexual abusers offend multiple times and often without any accountability or consequences, even when someone knew about the abuse.
I am disgusted by the initial abuse perpetrated on these children by this alleged group and even more disappointed by the second offense; the culture of silence that exists within our communities. Abusers are often protected, especially in situations involving children.
Often people may notice something “off” or something “not right” but will then ignore what they see and hear, particularly when it involves those who are in positions of authority and leadership.
Our duty as professionals, parents, volunteers and leaders in the community is to ensure the safety, healthy development, and growth of our children. It is critical that we are informed and familiar on the inherent risks in the relationships we initiate for our children. More information on this topic and useful tools to help build awareness, and hopefully prevent these tragedies from occurring in our communities can be found at the Kav Lnoar Website at: http://www.kavlnoar.org
For more information on the Nachlaot case and ways to help please visit: http://www.ima2seven.com
It is important to note that these are my own personal opinions and thoughts. This editorial piece is not an official position and does not reflect the full range of diverse opinions at The Kav Lnoar Center.
If you would like to contact the author you may do so via Email: MoisheWitkes@gmail.com