Posted on 07/19/2011 9:08:13 AM PDT by Coleus
The close-knit Orthodox Jewish community insists that rabbis, not the NYPD, get the first phone call about a suspected child abuser.
"There are prohibitions and a psychological fear about saying bad things about people or talking about negative things that bring shame," said Long Island psychologist Michael Salamon, author of the upcoming book "Abuse in the Jewish Community. "
The taboo had tragic consequences for Motty Borger, 24, who leapt to his death from a Williamsburg hotel the night after his wedding in November 2009. He had confided to relatives that he'd been molested while attending a yeshiva, but they never went to the police.
Another old law forbids turning a Jew over to secular authorities, for fear of anti-Semitism.
"In the Orthodox community, absent a homicide or murder, the people are encouraged not to go to the police," said Michael Dowd, a lawyer who represents victims of clergy sex abuse.
The Post reported yesterday that Leiby Kletzky's accused killer, Levi Aron, had allegedly tried to snatch another young boy near his house but that it wasn't reported to the cops.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
One wonders if Leiby Kletzky would still be alive if these ultra-Orthodox were more in the world.
The community excommunicated him.
He did minimal time because of mental illness.
He recently hung himself.
All I know is that a close friend was repeatedly molested as a young teen by a stepfather, and when she went to the cops, all they said was: “sometimes girls lie about these things.”
I don’t put too much faith in government, so can’t fault the Orthodox from starting within their own community.
Hasidic Sects require the Rabbi to be called first so that a cover-up can be instituted. Orthodox Jews >>
except on shabbos where they can’t call anyone not even 911
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