When it comes to confronting sexual abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community, there has been a long history of painful silence. Reluctant victims, afraid to speak out about their suffering, are now opening up to a community finally ready to discuss and address the serious problem.
It is well agreed upon amongst the leaders in the community that having a clear and accessible path to help is key. In a culture wary of seeking mental health support, it is difficult to find the therapists specialized in sexual abuse and Orthodox traditions. Fortunately, there are a growing number of social services available to abuse victims, like Shalom Task Force, an anonymous domestic abuse hotline, or the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, where confidentiality is a top priority.
More so than the general population, victims of the Orthodox community fear the outcome of their actions due to cultural stigmas and a criminal justice system that may work counterproductively to their beliefs. In order to protect those that are being abused, it is important to find the right resources to ensure their safety and healing process. It is also imperative that schools in the Jewish community share a database of instructors that have been found guilty of violent or sexual incidents in the past, a device for checking backgrounds that is not widely utilized in yeshivas and day schools.
Debbie Fox, director of the Aleinu Family Resource Center, worked with a group of rabbis, local parents, and mental health professionals to write a policy of conduct and behavioral standards for adults teaching children, sent to 30 Orthodox yeshivas in Los Angeles. And with the generous donation of $50,000 from the Julis family, philanthropists in the community, Fox was able to create a program (Safety Kid) dedicated to educating Jewish Orthodox school children, their parents, and teachers on personal safety and preventing possible high-risk situations. Approved by respected rabbis, the program is now being sent nationally by popular requests. In difficult times, victims hesitant to report sexual crimes can now find a strong foundation of support and assistance within their Orthodox community that is culturally sensitive, and judicially abiding.
Click here to view article online