Ultra-Orthodox Group Affirms Abuse Cases Go First To Rabbi

[ccharles000]

http://www.forward.com/articles/138131/

One of America’s leading ultra-Orthodox groups has reaffirmed that its followers must consult a rabbi before going to law enforcement authorities with suspicions of sexual abuse committed by community members.

The admonitions, from speakers at a conference sponsored by Agudath Israel of America, came even though a recent rabbinic edict permits reporting such crimes to secular authorities. A New Jersey district attorney with many Orthodox constituents said the advice given at the conference could be a violation of state law, though that view wasn’t shared by the district attorney for Brooklyn, where many other Orthodox Jews live.

At the daylong “Halacha Conference for Professionals,” held in Brooklyn on May 15, speakers elaborated on a recent ruling by Rabbi Shalom Elyashiv, one of ultra-Orthodoxy’s foremost authorities on Jewish religious law, or Halacha. Elyashiv recently decreed that Jews with reasonable suspicions that a case of sexual abuse has occurred are permitted to go to secular law enforcement authorities, notwithstanding traditional religious prohibitions against mesirah, or informing on fellow Jews.

But at a panel discussion titled “Molestation Issues and Reporting: Current Halachic Thinking,” the panel’s leader, Rabbi Shlomo Gottesman, cautioned that Elyashiv never explained what constitutes “reasonable suspicion.” To establish this, Gottesman said, a person should consult a rabbi “who has experience in these issues” before going to secular authorities.

[Aerows]

1. At least they are daring to confront it

I don't like how they are confronting it, but it's more than the Catholic Church has done. They prefer to just pretend it doesn't happen whatsoever.

Neither approach is right - sexual abuse is a violation of law and needs to be reported at all times. The fact that even the ultra-orthodox have a policy, no matter how awful, is better than pretending it doesn't exist at all.

[Viking 1]

3. How are they confronting it?

"Going to the rabbi"="Going to the priest."

[pnwmom]

4. You're wrong. The U.S. Catholic Church has had a reporting policy for years.

In my diocese, Archbishop Hunthausen put a policy into place in the 1980's requiring secular reporting. Other dioceses followed, and finally the entire Council of Bishops made that a policy.

Yes, there have been attempts to cover-up abuse in all conservative, religious denominations; but it's ridiculous to say -- in the face of all the lawsuits, settlements, and bankruptcies -- that the Catholic Church is "pretending the problem doesn't exist" and it's untrue to say that there is no reporting policy in place.

Here are the U.S. norms that were approved in 2002. Point #11 specifically discusses reporting.

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:-bXUsEoo1tUJ:www.usccb.org/bishops/norms2005.pdf+U.S.+council+catholic+bishops+sex+abuse+policy&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESi1Lrp5svGy_VTRg9eOjZ-iA8k9PZlo_irbjj-2C3ChqInGu_V8HmKz47uf4WPLIpH9KuoTdgfotFh1mCbW6tExDmzAimdFJZ-P_7nCUjFdPPoidqqP3PcymOzeFMp11cMo8kMK&sig=AHIEtbR0fRpRJI9OTKX7xfxaYQXQ9kqCPw

11. The diocese/eparchy will comply with all applicable civil laws with respect to the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse of minors to civil authorities and will cooperate in their investigation. In every instance, the diocese/eparchy will advise and support a person’s right to make a report to public authorities.

[Poll_Blind]

2. Typical reponse from those interested more in absolute control over followers than protecting them.

Doesn't matter whether they've got an expensive suit on and the outrageous bouffont of a Christian evangelical, the black fedora and clothing of an Orthodox Jew or the various garbs worn by Islamic Imams:

Any religious leader, for any reason, who asserts religious privilege in any form to act as a gatekeeper for reporting sexual abuse of children is potentially a supressive agent for the perpetrator.

Whether or not they are is moot. We have seen the exact same thing time and time again in regards to sexual abuse of Catholic priests, have we not? The exact same "gatekeeper" spiel and the exact same abuse of same. Not always. Do followers of Abrahamic religions have some bent for protecting these sorts of heinous crimes from being discovered? No, but they (Clergy, Rabbi, Imams, etc.) have a vested interest in retaining as much power as they possibly can, and that includes being able to intercept potentially damaging or even criminal behavior in their ranks.

Because all three, and most other major religions, will usually do anything to retain their power and influence.

Period.

I'm with Ben Hirsch (from the article) on this. The rabbis can try to wrap it all up in some Jewish double-talk bullshit but it all springs from the same roots: Power

PB

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Jewish equivalent of Sharia Law.

Why consult a rabbi first?

[WinkyDink]

6. Which is the exact opposite of Muslims who use religious courts to punish the weak.

As in, women under the veil.

I am allowed to criticize Islam, right? 'Cause they believe in a Spaghetti Allah.

[Poll_Blind]

7. From today, same exact thing but with Mormon church:

Mormon bishops won't be charged in Ariz. sex abuse case despite reported confession

PB

[Bubba Kush]

8. True story.

I remember a certain Denver rabbi beating up his wife on a regular basis. The wife has (I think) about 12 childen from him.

They are now divorced after a long battle, but the result of the abuse is apparent (the wife has a permanent disability - Parkinson-related, I think)

I googled, and found this:

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67663311.html

One of the sons is a very close friend of mine. He resides in London, far away from his family.