Your family stinks, researchers say

Your family stinks, researchers say

Reuters - August 22, 2002


LONDON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Family members tend not to like the way each other smell, researchers say, speculating that the unpleasant stink of your closest relatives may be one of nature's ways of discouraging incest.

In research described on Thursday in Britain's New Scientist magazine, a team at Wayne State University in Detroit recruited 25 families with children aged between six and 15, and gave them T-shirts to sleep in and odorless soap to wash with.

They were told to keep the T-shirts in plastic bags. They were later asked to sniff two T-shirts, one worn by a family member and another worn by a stranger.

The researchers first tested whether family members could recognize each other.

They found that mothers and fathers could usually tell when they were smelling their pre-adolescent children, with mothers being slightly better at it than dads, but they could not say which child was which.

Children younger than nine -- with the notable exception of sons who had been breastfed -- generally could not recognise their mothers, while older children could. All the children recognised their fathers.

Interestingly, whether or not they recognized which T-shirt belonged to a family member, volunteers usually said they far preferred the smell of the stranger's shirt.

Mothers particularly did not like the smell of their children, and children had a strong aversion to the smell of their fathers. Children of the same sex were not offended by each other's smell, but children of opposite sex were.

Researcher Tiffany Czilli said that she believed the dislike of each other's odors was part of nature's way of preventing incest, by making people less appealing to their closest relatives.

Other family issues could be at work too: the particular aversion that children have to the smell of dad could also be a sign of children trying to grow up and be independent.

But Dustin Penn of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City warned that asking people about their preferences could be unreliable.

"Just because people say they 'prefer' something doesn't mean they'll act in a preferential way," he said.

Case of Howard Berens, MD

Case of Howard Berens, MD
(AKA: Howard R. Berens)

 This Page is under construction

Child and Adult Psychiatrist, Newton-Wellesley Hospital - Newton, MA

1964 graduate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University

Dr. Howard Berens, a Newton psychiatrist on staff at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, has had his medical license suspended by the Board of Registration in Medicine for having a sexual relationship with a patient.

___________________________________________________________________________________

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:

2002

1. Newton psychiatrist Howard R. Berens  had his license suspended (08/22/2002)

2007

1. Newton psychiatrist suspended: Board takes action over relationship with patient (07/19/2007)
   

2013

1. Physician Profile: Howard R. Berens, MD (02/07/2013)
2. Howard R. Berens - Linkedin (02/07/2013)

___________________________________________________________________________________

Newton psychiatrist Howard R. Berens  had his license suspended
Boston Globe - August 22, 2002

Newton psychiatrist Howard R. Berens had his license suspended on charges of having an affair with a woman paying him for marriage counseling; and Dr. Robert P. Cipro, an ear, nose and throat specialist in North Andover, had his license suspended on charges of engaging in a sexual relationship with a patient.

[CORRECTION - DATE: Friday, August 23, 2002: * CORRECTION: BECAUSE OF A REPORTING ERROR, A STORY IN YESTERDAY'S CITY & REGION SECTION ABOUT MEDICAL DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS INCORRECTLY DESCRIBED THE ACTION CONCERNING NEWTON PSYCHIATRIST HOWARD R. BERENS. BERENS HAD HIS MEDICAL LICENSE SUSPENDED FOR HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH A FORMER PATIENT. STATE OFFICIALS STAYED THE SUSPENSION, ALLOWING BERENS TO CONTINUE TO PRACTICE.)

___________________________________________________________________________________

Newton psychiatrist suspended: Board takes action over relationship with patient

By Michelle Hillman

Associated Press - July 19, 2007

Dr. Howard Berens, a Newton psychiatrist on staff at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, has had his medical license suspended by the Board of Registration in Medicine for having a sexual relationship with a patient.

Berens cannot practice medicine in Massachusetts for three years. The Board found Berens engaged in "conduct that undermines the public confidence in the integrity of the medical profession by engaging in a sexual relationship and other boundary violations with a patient."

Berens began seeing a patient in February 1998 and engaged in a sexual relationship with the patient outside the office in April 1998, according to the Board's report.

Berens, a 1964 graduate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University, has been licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts since July 1967.

In a separate matter, a surgeon who abandoned a patient on the operating table at Mount Auburn Hospital has been disciplined by the Board of Registration for a separate incident.

The board voted to reprimand Dr. David C. Arndt, also on staff at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and ordered him to complete 100 hours of community service in connection with a conviction on a charge of filing a false affidavit to help his gay lover stay illegally in the country.

Arndt, who was charged in U.S. District Court in Louisiana, pleaded guilty to the charge in 1998, and was sentenced to three years' probation and fined $3,000.

On Aug. 7, the state Board of Medicine suspended Arndt for leaving a spinal fusion operation at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge on July 10. The patient, Charles Algeri, 45, of Waltham, was under anesthesia and with an incision in his back at the time.

Arndt is appealing the summary suspension. Arndt was suspended by the hospital the day after the operation.

Arndt, 41, a 1992 graduate of Harvard Medical School, has said he regrets his actions and was in "a financial crisis," and had to pay overdue bills.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Physician Profile: Howard R. Berens, MD
Board of Registration in Medicine - February 7, 2013

___________________________________________________________________________________

Howard R. Berens - Linkedin

Linkedin - February, 2013

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

FAIR USE NOTICE
 
Some of the information on The Awareness Center's web pages may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml . If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

___________________________________________________________________________________

People with Mental Retardation & Sexual Abuse

by Leigh Ann Reynolds, M.S.S.W., M.P.A.  (August 18, 2002)

What is sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse includes a wide range of sexual activities that are forced upon someone. People with mental retardation are often unable to choose to stop abuse due to a lack of understanding of what is happening during abuse, the extreme pressure to acquiesce out of fear, a need of acceptance from the abuser or having a dependent relationship with the abuser. Sexual abuse consists of sexually inappropriate and non-consensual actions, such as exposure to sexual materials (such as pornography), the use of inappropriate sexual remarks/language, not respecting the privacy (physical boundaries) of a child or individual (e.g., walking in on someone while dressing or in the bathroom), fondling, exhibitionism, oral sex and forced sexual intercourse (rape).

How often are people with mental retardation sexually abused?  

According to research, most people with disabilities will experience some form of sexual assault or abuse (Sobsey & Varnhagen, 1989). The rate of sexual victimization in the general population is alarming, yet largely goes unnoticed. At least 20 percent of females and 5 to 10 percent of males are sexually abused every year in the U.S. Although these figures are disturbingly high, people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities are at an even greater risk of sexual victimization. Victims who have some level of intellectual impairment are at the highest risk of abuse (Sobsey & Doe, 1991).

More than 90 percent of people with developmental disabilities will experience sexual abuse at some point in their lives. Forty-nine percent will experience 10 or more abusive incidents (Valenti-Hein & Schwartz, 1995). Other studies suggest that 39 to 68 percent of girls and 16 to 30 percent of boys will be sexually abused before their eighteenth birthday. The likelihood of rape is staggering: 15,000 to 19,000 of people with developmental disabilities are raped each year in the United States (Sobsey, 1994). 

Why is sexual abuse so common among people with mental retardation?

People with mental retardation may not realize that sexual abuse is abusive, unusual or illegal. Consequently, they may never tell anyone about sexually abusive situations. People with and without disabilities are often fearful to openly talk about such painful experiences due to the risk of not being believed or taken seriously. They typically learn not to question caregivers or others in authority. Sadly, these authority figures are often the ones committing the abuse. Many special education programs have encouraged students to be compliant in a wide range of life activities, ultimately increasing the child's vulnerability to abuse (Turnbull, et.al., 1994). They often think they have no right to refuse sexually abusive treatment and are not taught risk reduction skills. Risk factors associated with sexual abuse include social powerlessness, communication skill deficits, impaired judgment, family isolation/stress and living arrangements that increase vulnerability.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT TO LOOK FOR*

Physical Signs

* Bruises in genital areas
* Genital discomfort
* Sexually transmitted disease
* Signs of physical abuse
* Torn or missing clothing
* Unexplained pregnancy

Behavioral Signs

* Depression
* Substance abuse
* Withdrawal
* Atypical attachment
* Avoids specific setting
* Seizures
* Avoids specific adults
* Excessive crying spell
* Regression
* Sleep disturbances
* Disclosure
* Poor self-esteem
* Noncompliance
* Eating disorders
* Resists exam
* Self-destructive behavior
* Headaches
* Learning difficulty
* Sexually inappropriate behavior

Circumstantial Signs

* Alcohol or drug abuse by caregiver
* Devaluing attitudes
* Excessive or inappropriate eroticism
* Isolation of social unit
* Other forms of abuse
* Previous history of abuse
* Seeks isolated contact with children
* Strong preference for children
* Surrogate caregivers
* Unresolved history of abuse
* Pornography usage

*Adapted from Violence and Abuse in the Lives of People with Disabilities

(1994), D. Sobsey.

What are the effects of sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse causes harmful psychological, physical and behavioral effects (see above chart). Individuals who experience long-term (chronic) abuse by a known, trusted adult at an early age suffer more severe damage compared to those whose abuse is perpetrated by someone not well known to the victim, begins later in life, and is less frequent and nonviolent (Tower, 1989).

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding sexual abuse (e.g., length of time it occurred, who the abuser is and the victim's age), all forms of sexual abuse are serious and have the potential to be very damaging to the individual if left unaddressed and unspoken.

Who is most likely to abuse?

As is the case for people without disabilities who experience sexual abuse, those most likely to abuse are those who are known by the victim, such as family members, acquaintances, residential care staff, transportation providers and personal care attendants. Research suggests that 97 to 99 percent of abusers are known and trusted by the victim who has developmental

disabilities (Baladerian, 1991).

While in 32 percent of cases, abusers were family members or acquaintances, 44 percent had a relationship with the victim specifically related to the person's disability (such as residential care staff, transportation providers and personal care attendants). Therefore, the delivery system created to meet specialized care needs of those with mental retardation contributes to the risk of sexual abuse.

What type of treatment or therapy is available for victims of sexual abuse?

People with developmental disabilities who have been sexually abused typically are not provided a way to "work through" or talk about their traumatic experiences in a treatment or therapeutic setting. Generally, the more severe the disability, the greater the difficulty in accessing services. This may be due to prejudices some people still have about people with disabilities. For example, the benefit of psychotherapy for people with mental retardation is questioned, as well as the impact of the abuse (whether or not abuse impacts people with mental retardation as strongly as others without disabilities).

Yet, all people who experience sexual abuse are affected and can benefit from therapeutic counseling, even if they are non-verbal. Children and adults who suffer abuse need to learn how to tell someone and who to tell. A variety of training techniques that teach self-defense, body integrity, prevention and

reporting should be used. Human service workers must understand that people with developmental disabilities can and do benefit from therapy.

Locating a qualified therapist may be difficult since the person should be trained in both child/adult sexual abuse, as well as disabilities and sexuality. Payment for the therapy can be obtained through victim witness programs, community mental health centers or developmental disability centers.

How can the incidence of sexual abuse of people with mental retardation be reduced?

Society has been slow to admit that sexual abuse of people with mental retardation is not only possible, but actually happening (Baladerian, 1992).

The first step in reducing the occurrence of sexual abuse is recognizing the magnitude of the problem and confronting the ugly truth that people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities are more vulnerable to sexual victimization than those without disabilities.

Abusers typically abuse as many as 70 people before ever getting caught. Without reporting, there can be no prosecution of offenders or treatment for victims. Underreporting of sexual abusive incidents involving people with disabilities has in the past, and continues to be, a major obstacle in preventing sexual abuse. 

Only three percent of sexual abuse cases involving people with developmental disabilities will ever be reported (Valenti-Hein & Schwartz, 1995). Few people ever disclose sexual abuse for a variety of understandable reasons. However, such non-disclosure promotes an environment ripe for continued victimization.

Reporting can be increased through educating individuals with disabilities and service providers, improving investigation and prosecution, creating a safe environment that allows victims to disclose and, finally, employment policies must change to increase safety. For example, background checks on new employees should be conducted on a routine basis; and those with criminal records should be reported to the police, rather than firing the suspected abuser. Otherwise the individual will more than likely continue abusing others while working for future employers.

What should I do if I suspect sexual abuse?

All states have laws requiring professionals, such as institutional care providers, police officers and teachers to report abuse. All states allow the general public to report abuse as well. If you suspect a child is being sexually abused, contact your local child protective agency. If the person is an adult, contact adult protective services. These are also referred to as "Social Services," "Human Services" or "Children and Family Services" in the phone book. You do not need proof to file a report. If you believe the person is in immediate danger, call the police. After a report is made, the incident is referred for investigation to the state social service agency (who handles civil investigations) or to the local law enforcement agency (who handles criminal investigations).

References

Baladerian, N. (1991). Sexual abuse of people with developmental disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 9(4), 323-335.Baladerian, N. (1992). Interviewing skills to use with abuse victims who have developmental disabilities. Washington, D.C.: National Aging Resource Center on Elder Abuse.Sobsey, D. (1994). Violence and abuse in the lives of people with disabilities: The end of silent acceptance? Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing CoSobsey, D. & Doe, T. (1991). Patterns of sexual abuse and assault. Sexuality and Disability, 9 (3), 243-259.Sobsey, D. & Varnhagen, C. (1989). Sexual abuse and exploitation of people with disabilities: Toward prevention and treatment. In M. Csapo and L. Gougen (Eds.) Special Education Across Canada (pp.199-218). Vancouver: Vancouver Centre for Human Developmental and Research. Tower, C. (1989). Understanding child abuse and neglect. Boston: Allyn andBacon.Turnbull, H., Buchele-Ash, A., & Mitchell, L (1994). Abuse and neglect ofchildren with disabilities: A policy analysis. Lawrence, Kansas: Beach Centeron Families and Disability, The University of Kansas.Valenti-Hein, D. & Schwartz, L. (1995). The sexual abuse interview for thosewith developmental disabilities. James Stanfield Company. Santa Barbara:California.The Arc would like to thank Dick Sobsey, R.N., Ed.D. and Nora Baladerian,Ph.D. for reviewing this document.#101-56 Oct. 1997

Too Much Of A Good Thing?

Too Much Of A Good Thing?

By Abraham J. Twerski

Jewish Week - August 16, 2002

`Ess, ess, mein kind" (eat, eat, my dear child). Who would ever have envisioned that these endearing words from a loving parent might one day contribute to major health problems?

Recent studies show that the incidence of obesity is rapidly increasing in the United States, now affecting 23 percent of the population. Even more people, although not obese, are heavier than their healthy weight. Fifty-five percent of people older than age 20 are either overweight or obese.

 

Being overweight increases the risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. The additional stress on the joints aggravates arthritis. Obesity can elevate the likelihood of breast cancer, as well as colon, uterine and prostate cancer. Obesity is the leading cause of Type 2 diabetes, which generally develops after age 40.

 

It is legendary that Jewish mothers promote eating. The erroneous idea that the more one eats the healthier one will be may have had its origin when tuberculosis was rampant, and victims of this disease often appeared emaciated. The logic then went, "If thin equals disease, then fat equals health.

 

There may also have been a psychological factor. In many Jewish homes in Europe, food was not in abundance. When it was available, it was the greatest gift a mother could give her child. Whatever the reasons, the fact is that eating disorders are common among Jews.

It is only natural to look for easy solutions to problems. People are attracted to any diet that promises to take off weight. Anyone who has tried these miracle diets will testify that they work for a short period of time, only to be followed by return of the weight plus a few additional pounds.

 

Reliance on medications for the long term has also been futile. These approaches result in the yo-yo phenomenon, which is anything but healthy.

 

In cases of very severe obesity, surgery has been effective in producing significant weight loss. Nevertheless, obesity surgeons state that maintenance of health requires a change in lifestyle, particularly addressing management of emotions.

 

The latter insight is crucial. Neither diets nor medications alone will work. The most effective method of long-term weight control is ongoing participation in a support group, such as Overeaters Anonymous. In many cases, psychotherapy and counseling, whether individual or group, is a valuable adjunct.

 

Changes in lifestyle and habits do not come about easily. Initiating the change in a residential treatment center can give one a foothold on recovery. The intensive treatment can help overcome the resistance to change and give a person basic tools that one can then use over the long term.

 

The body has specific nutritive needs. When one consumes food beyond these needs, it is no longer nutrition. Because food can quell emotional discomfort, it can be used as a tranquilizer. It is this use of food than can result in eating disorders.

 

The tendency to overeat, coupled with the cosmetic desire to appear thin, has resulted in a high incidence of anorexia-bulimia. This is a condition in which one binges on food and then tries to prevent weight gain by forced vomiting, fasting, exercising or using laxatives and diuretics. Anorexia-bulimia is more common among females and often has its onset in adolescence. It is a well-guarded secret, so parents and husband may be unsuspecting. It is believed that 25 percent of high-school and college-age women may have anorexia-bulimia.

 

The emotional effects of anorexia-bulimia are deleterious. These young women often become depressed. Their preoccupation with food and weight may absorb all their thinking, so their performance in school or at work suffers. They may realize they have a problem and would like to help themselves, but they are trapped in this condition. They are afraid to tell their parents or spouse about their problem.

 

Awareness of the prevalence of eating disorders can help identify them. There are treatment resources available. On the Internet one can find information about anorexia-bulimia and obesity. There is now a facility that provides kosher food.

 

As food can be a tranquilizer, no one wishes to lose the comforting effects. However, we must become aware of the serious dangers to life and health resulting from eating disorders. We must overcome the denial of the problem in ourselves and in our children, and implement the methods that can bring about sustained, healthy weight. 

 

Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, a rabbi and psychologist, heads the Gateway Rehabilitation Center near Pittsburgh.

Case of the Unnamed Jewish Youth Group Leader/Rabbinical Student

Case of the Unnamed Jewish Youth Group Leader/Rabbinical Student

Queens, New York

Journalist, Ira Rifkin discloses that he was sexually abused by a rabbinical student who led the youth group at an Orthodox synagogue in Queens, N.Y., swhen I was about 11. The offense occurred in the synagogue basement.  He also stated that this was one of the major reasons why he stayed away from synagogues and Jewish life for many years

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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: 

1. Glass Houses (08/12/2002)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Glass Houses
Jews Week - August 12, 2002
By Ira Rifkin


Clergymen -- both Catholic and Jewish -- need to fess up about sexual abuse. I, myself, was sexually molested by a rabbinical studnet in our synagogue when I was 11.

This kind of behavior has to stop.

Here's an all-too-common example of Jewish paranoia that may resonate. You hear of some particularly despicable crime and immediately wonder if Jews were responsible. Then, depending upon the answer, you cringe or breathe a sigh of relief. Well here's some good news for a people who haven't had much to smile about lately: none of the predators in the pedophilia scandal rocking the Roman Catholic Church appear to be Jewish -- although I must caution that these days you can't always go by last names. But this is no joking matter. Nor is it a time to point fingers, or engage in self-righteous judgments. Granted, the temptation is there, given the church's horrendous treatment of Jews over the ages (recent attempts to make amends notwithstanding), and its one-sided support for Palestinians at Israel's expense. The number of pedophile priests and the church hierarchy's attempt to cover up the situation is horrendous, and the damage done to individuals and the institution cannot be minimized. However let's not forget that no people or faith has a corner on immorality and stupidity. We are all capable of evil deeds, and Jews have had their share of embarrassments in this regard as well. Two egregious cases involving the sexual abuse of children recently rocked our own American Jewish community. "... misplaced and twisted sexuality shows up everywhere, the horror of abuse is not lessened by there being fewer victims, and the problem likely occurs within the Jewish community more often than we care to imagine ..."

One involved Rabbi Baruch Lanner, who formerly headed the National Conference of Synagogue Youth. Rabbi Lanner was forced to resign after nine men and women, now in their forties, accused him of sexually, physically and emotionally abusing them when they were members of the Orthodox Union's youth organization in the 1970s. In addition, OU leaders were faulted for "errors of judgment" for not acting against Rabbi Lanner despite their awareness of the allegations for many years.

The second case involved Cantor Howard Nevison of Temple Emanu-El, the Reform movement's showcase Manhattan synagogue. Cantor Nevison was charged with sexually abusing his young nephew over the course of several years, and Temple Emanu-El was roundly criticized for taking no action after its board was made aware of the allegations against Cantor Nevison. In both cases, leaders who were entrusted by the community to act responsibly instead acted foolishly and self-servingly, bringing great shame upon themselves and their institutions -- which is just what the Catholic bishops did.

A fair question to ask is why compare presumably isolated cases in the Jewish community with the widespread abuse that has surfaced in Catholic circles? That's not my intent, which is only to remind that misplaced and twisted sexuality shows up everywhere, that the horror of abuse is not lessened by there being fewer victims, and that the problem likely occurs within the Jewish community more often than we care to imagine.

Discloses he was sexually abused as a child

Surely, there are cases involving Jewish religious leaders that are never reported by frightened and embarrassed children, or that never become public knowledge. I know this to be true because a rabbinical student who led the youth group at an Orthodox synagogue in Queens, N.Y., sexually molested me when I was about 11. The offense occurred in the synagogue basement, and was a prime reason why I stayed away from synagogues and Jewish life for many years.

My sense of guilt kept me from telling anyone about the experience until I became an adult and understood that I was not at fault. Did my assailant also assault others? Given the methodical way he went about it, I have to conclude that he did. How many others, I wonder, also stayed quiet out of fear and shame?

Our tradition tells us that evil is no less a part of the divine plan than is righteousness. One need not be a universalist to conclude that Catholic priests are, inherently, no better or worse as individuals than are Jews or the members of any other group of people. An air of self-righteous superiority never helps when dealing with the complexity of human behavior. Humility is the better response, as is compassion for the victims of priestly predators. So let's hope that the bishops will react, finally, out of a commitment to justice and their faith. And let's hope Jewish leaders will have learned their lesson when they next confront the problem, as will surely happen sooner or later.

Ira Rifkin, a contributing writer to Jewsweek.com, is the editor of " Spiritual Innovators: Seventy-Five Extraordinary People Who Changed the World in the Last Century," newly published by SkylightPaths. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

FAIR USE NOTICE

 
Some of the information on The Awareness Center's web pages may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml . If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Haredi Group Balks At Clergy Law

 Haredi Group Balks At Clergy Law
‘Some rabbis may not comply’ with measure mandating report of sexual abuse
suspicions,
By Debra Nussbaum Cohen

Jewish Week - Monday, August 12, 2002 / 4 Elul 5762 

New legislation adding clergy to those professionals who are legally required to report suspected child abuse is being welcomed by a wide range of rabbinic leaders and those who work with victims, but it is being opposed by an influential group in the fervently Orthodox community.

As Catholic Church officials struggle to deal with a flood of lawsuits over the sexual abuse of children by priests, the New York state Senate unanimously passed the measure. The Assembly is preparing a similar bill.

The legislation comes as Manhattan’s largest Reform congregation, Temple Emanu-El, remains silent on the sexual abuse charges against its cantor, though its leadership had information about the allegations before Howard Nevison was arrested last month. (See accompanying story.)

Professionals who come into contact with children — doctors, nurses and dentists, schoolteachers and administrators, psychologists, social workers, child care workers and law enforcement staff — must report to the state any suspected abuse.

But clergy have been exempt from the requirement in New York since 1828, when the state Legislature became the first in the nation to protect the “clergy-penitent privilege.” The law has stood through the efforts of the Catholic Church and Agudath Israel of America, which have blocked measures for change at the state and local levels.

This time, however, the Church is staying out of the fray, leaving only Agudath Israel, which represents the interests of fervently Orthodox Jews on a variety of issues, in opposing the addition of clergy to the law.

Rabbi David Zwiebel - Agudath Israel of America

The organization, whose offices are essentially closed for the Passover holiday, is still undecided on whether it will formally oppose the bills, said David Zwiebel, Agudah’s executive vice president for governmental and
public affairs.

But, he said, if the law is passed without any exemption for clergy-penitent privilege, some Orthodox rabbis may choose not to comply with it.

“If the law tells the rabbis ‘you’ve got to go to the authorities on this’ and the rabbis feel that, for instance, a case of abuse goes back seven years and the best way to deal with it now is to refer the man to therapy rather than to law enforcement, they will choose to deal with it themselves,” said Zwiebel, who is also an attorney.

“You decide where your first duties and obligations are,” he said.

Illustrating the position of some in the haredi community, an Orthodox pediatrician in Brooklyn who has lectured on child abuse and disseminated tapes of her speeches has said that though she is required to report suspicions of child abuse, she checks with her rabbi to get permission.

Psychology professionals who work with victims of sexual and physical abuse say the new law will likely help their young victims.

It “makes it easier for clergy to do the right thing,” said Herb Neiburg, who directs behavioral medicine at the psychiatric Four Winds Hospital in Katonah, N.Y., and teaches pastoral counseling at the Conservative movement’s Jewish Theological Seminary.

“When something is mandated by law, it takes away the guilt over breaking what used to be this old type of priest-penitent relationship,” he said.

“The tough part will be when clergy hear that other clergy have molested kids. It’s always tough to turn in a colleague, but it has to get done,” said Neiburg. “This law will open that door.”

Leaders of the Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and centrist Orthodox movements have all publicly voiced support for the legislation.

But those who work with the fervently Orthodox say it may not work in their community, which is suspicious of secular authority and has its own way of dealing with problems — relying on rabbinic judgment.

“People go to rabbonim [rabbis] to talk,” said David Mandel, chief executive officer of the Brooklyn-based Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services. “This law may discourage people from going to talk to their rabbis if they think that the conversation is going to be on the record.”

That, Neiburg argues, “is like saying that since pediatricians are mandated reporters, no one will bring a kid with injuries that could look like abuse to a pediatrician, and it obviously doesn’t work that way.”

Even so, said Mandel, “the legislation may be premature” for the Orthodox community.

“Legislation will not necessarily dramatically improve the way the Orthodox community handles these issues,” he said. “Continuing to educate the community, to remove the stigma from the victim and his or her family and put the onus on the offender, will make the most dramatic changes.” n

Can Sex Offenders Ever Be Cured? Commonly Asked Questions About Sexual Abuse (Part Two)

Can Sex Offenders Ever Be Cured? Commonly Asked Questions About Sexual Abuse (Part Two)
By Yechezkel Chezi Goldberg

The Jewish Press - August 7, 2002

Chezi Goldberg

With specialized treatment and adequate support groups, a sex offender who accepts full accountability for his or her crime can learn to control his or her abusive behavior. The public holds the myth that sex offenders have the highest recidivism rate of any crime. In reality, the recidivism rate for most sex offenders is quite low, even lower when the abuser gets specialized treatment as part of his or her criminal sentence.

Like many other diseases and dysfunctions (like alcoholism) we cannot expect a cure, but we can expect and demand control of behavior throughout a lifetime. When people who abuse have the support and "tough love" of their friends and families, they are more likely to complete their treatment programs and live productive, abuse-free lives.

Ohel founded just such a program a few years ago in Brooklyn. After being approached by DA Charlie Hynes about secrecy in the Orthodox community, a secrecy that ends up protecting pedophiles from prosecution, Ohel took the initiative and created a program to answer the need. Any pedophile from the community brought before a judge is given the choice of entering the Ohel Support Program for Pedophiles, or going to jail. The last I spoke to David Mandel from Ohel about the program, there were 16 pedophiles who had molested thousands between them before entering the program.

Pedophiles have a disease. Ohel has taken the lead in offering them a way to live and overcome their lust disease. Those who would like more information about the program should contact Ohel directly.

Are All Sexual Abusers The Same? Do They All Pose The Same Risk To Re-Offend?

No, not all abusers are the same. Like any other population, there is a wide range of behavior and a variety of people who sexually abuse children.

It is important to keep in mind what the experts state about sexual abuse. Children who are abused, if they are not promptly treated therapeutically, will often turn around at some point in their lives and become abusers. Some will react this way sooner, and others will suddenly find themselves acting out sexually years later.

This is important for parents to know. ``Molestation`` is not something that goes away. Time itself does not heal victims of sexual abuse. As painful as it is to hear about one`s child being molested, and as much as parents of child sex abuse victims wish that the nightmare would just disappear, it is crucial to face the painful reality of what happened and to seek out competent treatment for any child who has suffered sexual abuse. This is to prevent the child from turning around and becoming an abuser and is to ensure that the perpetrator of the abuse does not roamfreely preying on other children.

There is a positive side to all of this. With specialized treatment and full accountability for their crimes, many abusers can change and never offend again. However, child sexual abuse in any form is a crime and must be dealt with first through the legal system.

There is no escaping the legal ramifications. People who are aware of sexual abuse that is ongoing and fail to report it to the authorities, are compromising themselves legally. If at some time in the future, police do get involved and in their investigations the law finds out that you knew and did not report, you can be held legally responsible.

That being said, ultimately, if a pedophile admits his problem, then we do what we can to help him get help. The goal is to get everyone who wants to change into the best treatment available and help him never to hurt a child again.

Why Do People Sexually Abuse Children?

People abuse children for a sense of power and a sense of pleasure. They may seek children to abuse because they have had a long history of sexual attraction to children, or because they took advantage of an opportunity to abuse a child in their trust. They may have started abusing because they had been abused before, or because they never learned that the behavior is wrong and is a crime.

How Can We Keep Our Children Safe From Sex Offenders?

We need to teach children about safety. We, as adults, also need to learn more about abuse and abusers. This is the first step. Read what you can about sexual abuse. Become wiser. Check out resources in your community. Surf the Internet to quickly gain access to more in-depth knowledge on the topic. Then, once you feel that you understand the basics, you can start to talk to your children about sexual abuse.

Here are some things that you and your family can do to prevent the sexual abuse of a child you know and love.

Adults need to:

• Watch for signs of possible sexual abusiveness in adults, between adults and children, and in children.
• Show by example in your own life, how to say "no" when someone you know and care about does something you do not like.
• Set and respect family boundaries.
• Speak up when you see "warning sign" behaviors.
• Practice talking about difficult topics such as sexual abuse with other adults.
• Teach children the proper names of body parts.
• Teach children the difference between "ok touch" and touch that is "not ok".
• Teach children that secrets about touching are "not ok."
• Set up a family safety plan that is easy to remember.
• Complete a list for yourself of whom to call for advice, information, and help.

Yechezkel Chezi Goldberg was a Jerusalem counselor. In his clinic he deals extensively as a counselor for overseas yeshiva, seminary and university students in Israel. 

False memory syndrome: State of the art [Article in Hebrew]

False memory syndrome: State of the art [Article in Hebrew]

By B. Nemets, E. Witztum and M. Kotle

Harefuah - 2002 Aug; 141(8):726-30, 760

The review describes the heated dispute on the present state of recovered traumatic memories. There are two main schools concerning the status of recovered memories of child abuse. One school believes in their authenticity unconditionally. Those who oppose the authenticity claim False Memory Syndrome1s existence. They describe it as 3a serious form of psychopathology characterized by strongly believed pseudomemories of childhood sexual abuse and condition in which a person1s identity and interpersonal relationships

are centered around a memory of traumatic experience which is objectively false but in which the person strongly believes2. This review presents the allegations of both sides involved in the dispute, with updates of scientific and judicial references and relevant recommendations to care takers.

------------------------------------

From: Beer Sheva Mental Health Center, Faculty of Medical Science, Ben

Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.