Case of Arthur Blank, PhD
Former Chief of Psychology, Queensway-Carleton Hospital - Ottawa, Canada
Former Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Ottawa - Ottawa, Canada
Childhood Home - Montreal, Canada
Childhood Home - Montreal, Canada
In 1998 a judge has ordered Ottawa psychologist Dr. Arthur Blank to pay more than $325,000 in damages to a female former patient he sexually abused during and after her therapy. The award is among the highest awarded in Canada in the 1990s for sexual abuse by a health practitioner. No criminal charges were ever laid against Dr. Blank.
Back in 2008 there were rumors that Dr. Arthur Blank was in training to become a rabbi.
There are several people who go by the name of Arthur Blank. The individual discussed on this page was born near Montreal, Canada.
There are several people who go by the name of Arthur Blank. The individual discussed on this page was born near Montreal, Canada.
If you have more information on this case, please forward it to The Awareness Center.
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Disclaimer: Inclusion in this website does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement. Individuals must decide for themselves if the resources meet their own personal needs.
Table of Contents:
1973
1992 - 1993
1998
- The Effects of Perceptual Deprivation on Exploratory and Problem-Seeking Behavior of The Albino Rat (Doctorial Thesis) (1973)
- Ad in the Ottawa Citizen (06/09/1984)
- Husband battering needs probing: Research (07/02/1985)
1992 - 1993
- Started having sexual relations with one of his clients.
1998
- Disciplinary Hearing (03/1998)
- Psychologist ordered to pay patient $325,000 - Behaviour 'disgraceful,' judge rules in sex lawsuit (06/18/1998)
-
Rabbi David Wolfe-Blank, 47, Jewish Renewal Leader (06/18/1998)
2014
- Academic Search (01/24/2014)
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University of Ottawa - 1973
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Ad in the Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Citizen - June 9, 1984
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Husband battering needs probing: Research
By Laura Robin
Ottawa Citizen - July 2, 1985
"We have found that husband abuse is a phenomenon that's overlooked by society," says Dr. Arthur Blank, chief of psychology at Queensway-Carleton Hospital.
Blank and Carelton University psychology student Natalie Remillard are conducting one of the first Canadian studies into husband battering.
In a preliminary survey of men at armed forces based at Rockcliffe and Petawawa, 18 percent of the 33 men who answered questionaries said abuse interferes with their lives.
'That's almost one in five I think that's pretty hefty and deserves a lot more attention", says Blank.
U.S. statistics indicate one in 200 men is abused by his wife. A 1974 U.S. study found that sex percent of wives abuse their husbands daily to once a month.
Blank says it's extremely difficult however to learn more about abused men, or to help them, because men rarely admit to being abused and often won't even discuss the topic.
There's tremendous under-reporting, says Remillard. In her survey, 300 questionnaires were sent out and only 33 returned.
"It's not macho to say 'I need help' or ato admit ythat your wife is abusing you, says Remillard It wouldn't do to be beat up by your wife and let people know about it"
But 30 percent of the men surveyed said they would support a shelter for abued men and 18 percent said they would seek help at such a shelter if they were abused.
"W'eve got shelters for battered women, but no one would even think of setting up for men," says Blank. Another problem in identifying abused men, he adds, is that men tend to think of themselves as abused only if their wives actually strike them.
But Blank says husband battering is more likely to be in form of mental, verbal or sexual abuse.
A wife may withdraw and make her husband feel very bad by giving him mean looks and saying mean things. That's husband battering and can be far more cruel than physical abuse. Because women are usually weaker physically than men and ten to be more verbal, women are more likely to be mentally abusive than strike out and risking being hit back.
"Often women are sexually abusive. A lot of a man's ego is tied up in his sexuality and women can hurt men by saying cruel things about a man's sexual performance or by ridiculing them."
In the survey of armed forces men, more said verbal abuse interfered with their lives than those who said physical abuse was a problem.
Blank and Remillard want to talk to more abused men to pinpoint what types of abused men to pinpoint what types of abuse most common and wether abusing wives and abused husbands have predictable personality traits.
Men who volunteer for the study will be guaranteed anonymity and will be referred for counseling or other help if needed.
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Disciplinary Hearing
The College of Psychologist of Ontario - March, 1998
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Psychologist ordered to pay patient $325,000
Behaviour 'disgraceful,' judge rules in sex lawsuit
By Peter Hum
The Ottawa Citizen - June 18, 1998
A judge has ordered Ottawa psychologist Dr. Arthur Blank to pay more than $325,000 in damages to a female former patient he sexually abused during and after her therapy.
In a scathing judgment released this week, Justice Catherine Aitken wrote that Dr. Blank, who treated and had sex with the woman in the early 1990s, "took negligence to a standard of recklessness and audacity that shocks the court.
"His behaviour was disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional and has no place in a profession that prides itself as being one of the helping professions," Judge Aitken wrote in her ruling.
The award is among the highest awarded in Canada in the 1990s for sexual abuse by a health practitioner.
The Ottawa woman, now in her mid-40s, first saw Dr. Blank in August 1990, complaining that she was a chronic worrier who slept poorly, lacked confidence, and was too often unhappy. As therapy progressed, Dr. Blank made increasingly forceful sexual advances, telling the woman she had a "hot little body" and hugging and kissing her.
By February 1992, he was having sex with the woman in his office and billing her. He soon stopped billing her, but continued having sex with her until December 1993, when the woman stumbled upon Dr. Blank with another woman.
The woman's contact with Dr. Blank left her an emotional wreck near suicide. While she saw him, her health deteriorated and she became agitated, anxious and extremely depressed. She had idolized Dr. Blank, considered him a "lifeline and saviour," and after he abandoned her, she had trouble eating and sleeping. She often got up in the night and drove her car for hours. She once thought of driving into a wall to end her agony.
The woman also contracted genital warts from Dr. Blank. "When she was diagnosed ... he refused to assume any responsibility for having infected her and instead tried to foist the blame onto (her husband)," Judge Aitken wrote. "This behaviour can only be described as malicious."
The woman said she had a good marriage, but it was all but destroyed. "Over the last few years, the (couple has) had little energy to do anything other than work, exist and talk about Dr. Blank and the impact he has had on their lives," Judge Aitken wrote.
The woman's husband, who was awarded $30,000 in damages, collapsed at work in 1995 from extreme stress. The couple went to one session of marriage counselling, and plan to consult the counsellor again when the litigation with Dr. Blank is behind them.
The judge heard expert witnesses who said that the vulnerable patient was not able to properly consent to sex with her psychologist. "Her participation in sexual activites with Dr. Blank was not based on any understanding on her part as to what was really happening," Judge Aitken wrote.
"He kept her in a constant state of confusion as to whether his advances were part of her treatment, evidence of his love for her, or something else. This was coupled with her overwhelming dependency on him, which he let develop unchecked, so that she was rendered incapable of coming to her own assessments or conclusions."
In addition to operating a private practice, Dr. Blank, now in his mid-50s, was the former chief of psychology at the Queensway-Carleton Hospital and an adjunct professor of psychology at the University of Ottawa.
Because of Dr. Blank's experience, "it is inconceivable that he did not realize the extent to which his behaviour was unprofessional and unethical. It is also inconceivable that he did not realize the risks he was courting through that behaviour," the judge wrote.
"Dr. Blank's conduct went well beyond the merely negligent," Judge Aitken wrote. "He knew that his actions could cause (the woman) irreparable harm. His behaviour was wilful, manipulative and exploitative."
Last fall, the College of Psychologists of Ontario revoked Dr. Blank's licence to practise after a professional hearing over allegations of sexual abuse against the woman.
The woman, now in her mid-40s, declined to comment on the judgment. Her lawyer, Cheryl Lean, said that the woman was greatly relieved, having waited six months for a decision since December's civil trial.
Dr. Blank could not be reached for comments on the judgment. He did not testify at the civil trial, and his lawyer, Cam Godden of Toronto, called no witnesses. At trial, Mr. Godden had contended that the woman had exceeded a legal limitation period when she made her allegation of negligence.
The woman began her civil action on Dec. 19, 1995, and reported Dr. Blank to the College of Psychologists in March 1996.
The damages awarded to the woman include $100,000 in general damages, $25,000 in punitive damages, and more than $200,000 in special damages such as loss of past and future income, and past and future therapy.
Therapists who have seen the woman after her contact with Dr. Blank testified "his treatment of her was so negligent and so harmful that he may have rendered her inaccessible to any further psychiatric treatment," Judge Aitken wrote.
Regarding punitive damages, Judge Aitken wrote: "Dr. Blank's conduct ... is offensive to the ordinary standards of decent conduct in our community. The court considers it reprehensible for a professional in a position of power, trust and privilege to have conducted himself in such a callous and irresponsible fashion.
"A strong message must be given that such conduct will not be tolerated."
Judge Aitken has also ordered Dr. Blank to pay the woman's legal costs and pre-judgment interest on the general and punitive damages. Ms. Lean said that in all, Dr. Blank has been ordered to pay more than $400,000.
No criminal charges were ever laid against Dr. Blank.
In 1996, Dr. Leo Pilo of Etobicoke was ordered to pay approximately $300,000 in damages to a woman known as DMM, for abusing her from the time she was 9 until she was 20.
Also in 1996, Dr. Alexander Alfred of Toronto was ordered to pay $30,000 to a former patient he sexually abused from the age of 17. Four years earlier, the Supreme Court of Canada ordered B.C. Dr. Morris Wynrib, who gave drugs to a chemically dependent female patient in exchange for sexual favours, to pay $30,000 in damages.
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Psychologist ordered to pay patient $325,000
Behaviour 'disgraceful,' judge rules in sex lawsuit
by Peter Hum
The Ottawa Citizen - June 18, 1998
A judge has ordered Ottawa psychologist Dr. Arthur Blank to pay more than $325,000 in damages to a female former patient he sexually abused during and after her therapy.
In a scathing judgment released this week, Justice Catherine Aitken wrote that Dr. Blank, who treated and had sex with the woman in the early 1990s, "took negligence to a standard of recklessness and audacity that shocks the court.
"His behaviour was disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional and has no place in a profession that prides itself as being one of the helping professions," Judge Aitken wrote in her ruling.
The award is among the highest awarded in Canada in the 1990s for sexual abuse by a health practitioner.
The Ottawa woman, now in her mid-40s, first saw Dr. Blank in August 1990, complaining that she was a chronic worrier who slept poorly, lacked confidence, and was too often unhappy. As therapy progressed, Dr. Blank made increasingly forceful sexual advances, telling the woman she had a "hot little body" and hugging and kissing her.
By February 1992, he was having sex with the woman in his office and billing her. He soon stopped billing her, but continued having sex with her until December 1993, when the woman stumbled upon Dr. Blank with another woman.
The woman's contact with Dr. Blank left her an emotional wreck near suicide. While she saw him, her health deteriorated and she became agitated, anxious and extremely depressed. She had idolized Dr. Blank, considered him a "lifeline and saviour," and after he abandoned her, she had trouble eating and sleeping. She often got up in the night and drove her car for hours. She once thought of driving into a wall to end her agony.
The woman also contracted genital warts from Dr. Blank. "When she was diagnosed ... he refused to assume any responsibility for having infected her and instead tried to foist the blame onto (her husband)," Judge Aitken wrote. "This behaviour can only be described as malicious."
The woman said she had a good marriage, but it was all but destroyed. "Over the last few years, the (couple has) had little energy to do anything other than work, exist and talk about Dr. Blank and the impact he has had on their lives," Judge Aitken wrote.
The woman's husband, who was awarded $30,000 in damages, collapsed at work in 1995 from extreme stress. The couple went to one session of marriage counseling, and plan to consult the counsellor again when the litigation with Dr. Blank is behind them.
The judge heard expert witnesses who said that the vulnerable patient was not able to properly consent to sex with her psychologist. "Her participation in sexual activities with Dr. Blank was not based on any understanding on her part as to what was really happening," Judge Aitken wrote.
"He kept her in a constant state of confusion as to whether his advances were part of her treatment, evidence of his love for her, or something else. This was coupled with her overwhelming dependency on him, which he let develop unchecked, so that she was rendered incapable of coming to her own assessments or conclusions."
In addition to operating a private practice, Dr. Blank, now in his mid-50s, was the former chief of psychology at the Queensway-Carleton Hospital and an adjunct professor of psychology at the University of Ottawa.
Because of Dr. Blank's experience, "it is inconceivable that he did not realize the extent to which his behaviour was unprofessional and unethical. It is also inconceivable that he did not realize the risks he was courting through that behaviour," the judge wrote.
"Dr. Blank's conduct went well beyond the merely negligent," Judge Aitken wrote. "He knew that his actions could cause (the woman) irreparable harm. His behaviour was wilful, manipulative and exploitative."
Last fall, the College of Psychologists of Ontario revoked Dr. Blank's licence to practise after a professional hearing over allegations of sexual abuse against the woman.
The woman, now in her mid-40s, declined to comment on the judgment. Her lawyer, Cheryl Lean, said that the woman was greatly relieved, having waited six months for a decision since December's civil trial.
Dr. Blank could not be reached for comments on the judgment. He did not testify at the civil trial, and his lawyer, Cam Godden of Toronto, called no witnesses. At trial, Mr. Godden had contended that the woman had exceeded a legal limitation period when she made her allegation of negligence.
The woman began her civil action on Dec. 19, 1995, and reported Dr. Blank to the College of Psychologists in March 1996.
The damages awarded to the woman include $100,000 in general damages, $25,000 in punitive damages, and more than $200,000 in special damages such as loss of past and future income, and past and future therapy.
Therapists who have seen the woman after her contact with Dr. Blank testified "his treatment of her was so negligent and so harmful that he may have rendered her inaccessible to any further psychiatric treatment," Judge Aitken wrote.
Regarding punitive damages, Judge Aitken wrote: "Dr. Blank's conduct ... is offensive to the ordinary standards of decent conduct in our community. The court considers it reprehensible for a professional in a position of power, trust and privilege to have conducted himself in such a callous and irresponsible fashion.
"A strong message must be given that such conduct will not be tolerated."
Judge Aitken has also ordered Dr. Blank to pay the woman's legal costs and pre-judgment interest on the general and punitive damages. Ms. Lean said that in all, Dr. Blank has been ordered to pay more than $400,000.
No criminal charges were ever laid against Dr. Blank.
In 1996, Dr. Leo Pilo of Etobicoke was ordered to pay approximately $300,000 in damages to a woman known as DMM, for abusing her from the time she was 9 until she was 20.
Also in 1996, Dr. Alexander Alfred of Toronto was ordered to pay $30,000 to a former patient he sexually abused from the age of 17. Four years earlier, the Supreme Court of Canada ordered B.C. Dr. Morris Wynrib, who gave drugs to a chemically dependent female patient in exchange for sexual favours, to pay $30,000 in damages.
Rabbi David Wolfe-Blank, 47, Jewish Renewal Leader
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Rabbi David Wolfe-Blank, 47, Jewish Renewal Leader
By Florangela Davila
Seattle Times - September 2, 1998
Rabbi David Wolfe-Blank was fond of gadgets, small key chains that would pull apart, little oddities that you'd pick up in knickknack stores.
He took a childlike delight in such things, said his brother, Arthur Blank of Ottawa, so much that Rabbi Wolfe-Blank was affectionately known by some as "Mr. Gadget."
Rabbi Wolfe-Blank was tremendously curious and took great interest in the latest gadget for his computer as well as in all things spiritual.
Such inquisitiveness led him to the most orthodox branch of Judaism, Zen buddhism, Native-American teachings, psychology, physics and even to the latest breakthroughs in space research. Rabbi Wolfe-Blank was a nationally known leader in one of the newer forms of Judaism, the Jewish Renewal movement.
Rabbi Wolfe-Blank died Saturday (Aug. 29) following a car accident on Vancouver Island. He was 47.
He was born Dec. 12, 1950, and grew up in Montreal. His parents were both Jewish, but only his mother observed. By the time he was 16, he had changed school three times, mostly because he was always looking for mentors and an understanding of spirituality, said his brother, Howard Blank of Montreal.
With his mother's support, he went to Israel at age 16. It was supposed to be only for a year, but he stayed for six, falling in with the Lubavitcher movement of Judaism. He then moved to New York City to be ordained as a rabbi by the Lubavitcher Yeshiva in the early 1970s.
The Lubavitchers' mission, his brother Howard explained, was luring Jews, who had strayed from the religion, back to Judaism. Rabbi Wolfe-Blank was sent to a Zen center in upstate New York and found the philosophies there were more in sync with his beliefs. So he stayed.
But that, too, did not last. Eventually, his teacher kicked him out of the center, his brother said. And he was challenged by the teacher to hitchhike across the country without money. Which he did.
In the late 1970s he wound up in Berkeley, Calif., where he became part of the Jewish Renewal movement. The movement incorporates teachings from other religions and subjects, like ecology, with the more traditional aspects of Judaism. He published a monthly newsletter and recorded tapes and recently had completed a book.
He moved to Seattle in 1995 after being recruited by the Congregation of Eitz Or in Seattle, a 100-family congregation that holds services at the Unitarian Church in Wedgwood. He strove to make his services joyous - and he did, using percussion and dancing, congregation members said.
Howard Blank said his brother made his services "rise to crescendo. It was like he was conducting it and making it alive."
Other survivors include Rabbi Wolfe-Blank's wife, Elaine, and their 5-year-old son, Uriel, of Seattle; his mother, Anne Blank of Montreal; his brother Rabbi Sholom Blank of Miami Beach; sister Shana Ross Deutscher of Montreal; and many nieces and nephews. His father, William Blank, died Jan. 3, 1994.
Contributions can be made to the Wolfe-Blank Family Fund, Congregation Eitz Or, P.O. 15480, Seattle, WA 98115. Services have been held. For information on the shivah, the period of mourning, call 206-467-2617.
Academic Search
January 24, 2014
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Academic Search
January 24, 2014
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