Thursday, June 19, 2008

Case of Marla Marks

Case of Marla Marks
Dorset, England


Son made allegations that his mother began interfering with him when he was five years old and that she had full sexual intercourse with him when he was 13. He further claims that his father, knew what was going on but did nothing to prevent it.  The developed bulimia, the binge eating disorder.

Having left home at 15, he got back in touch with his parents after he married and became a father.
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Table of Contents:
  1. Abuse claim in will fight (07/13/2001)
  2. 'Abuse' challenge to mother's will rejected (07/20/2001)
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Abuse claim in will fightBy Leon Symons
Jewish Chronical - July 13, 2001


THE CASE of a man who believes he is entitled to a share of his late mother's £240,000 estate, claiming she sexually abused him, was being heard behind closed doors at the High Court this week.

(Name Removed) Marks, from Poole, in Dorset, says his mother, Marla, left him nothing when she died two years ago.

Mr Marks, an only child, wanted the case heard in open court, but Mr Justice Etherton ruled that it should be conducted in private. However, the court agreed that material in the public domain before the decision could be published.

Mr Marks, now 48, alleges that his mother began interfering with him when he was five years old and that she had full sexual intercourse with him when he was 13. He further claims that his father, Harold, who died in 1995, knew what was going on but did nothing to prevent it.

Mr Marks developed bulimia, the binge eating disorder, his weight soaring to more than 23 stone.

Having left home at 15, he got back in touch with his parents after he married and became a father.

His mother — who, he says, had spells in psychiatric hospital suffering from severe anxiety neurosis, phobias and depression — asked Mr Marks to help sort out his father's affairs after he died, paying him £1,000.

But he claims that in 1996, she made sexually suggestive remarks to him which exacerbated his bulimia.

It is alleged that his mother had already made a will leaving everything to her grandson.

However, Mr Marks claims that after he rebuffed her, she made another will dividing her estate bet-ween her two sisters, Lilian Halton and Helen Shafier.

On Monday, Roger Bartlett, acting for the sisters, asked for the case to be heard in private, telling Mr Justice Etherton that it involved intimate personal and financial details. Mr Bartlett also contended that Mrs Marks was not there to defend her reputation against "allegations of the most serious kind."

Describing the case as "perhaps unique," Daniel Lightman, for Mr Marks, said his client would be "very upset" if the hearing were conducted in private. But the judge disagreed.

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'Abuse' challenge to mother's will rejectedBy Leon Symons
Jewish Chronical - July 20, 2001


A DORSET man who tried to claim a share of his late mother's £220,000 estate, alleging that she sexually abused him, has lost his action.

Mr Justice Etherton ruled that, although the abuse may have occurred, (NAME REMOVED) Marks had not provided the required level of proof to satisfy the court that his claims were true.

He also criticised Mr Marks for disobeying his instructions. Directed not to speak to anyone about the case during his two-day cross-examination, Mr Marks had apparently made contact with a witness.

The judge pointed out that as the claimant had written to his mother, Marla, in 1996 effectively disowning her, the case was principally one of estrangement.

"Mr Marks had failed to show that he was entitled to financial provision from his mother's estate. Though it is difficult not to feel sympathy for him, he is an adult who has been married and run his own business."


In what was believed to be a unique case, Mr Marks, 48, from Poole, contested his mother's will, which left the estate to her sisters, Lilian Halton and Helen Shafier.

He alleged his mother had sexually abused him from the age of five, having full sexual intercourse with him when he was 13.

He said his late father, Harold — who was impotent and disfigured through illness — had known what was going on, but did nothing to prevent it.

His mother had written one will leaving everything to his son, while Mr Marks was an undischarged bankrupt. But after his 1996 letter to her, she changed the will in favour of her sisters. Currently unemployed, Mr Marks was granted legal aid to pursue the action.

Following the verdict, the sisters' solicitor, Michael Sheville, said: "The family is naturally pleased and relieved by the decision that has been made and that the reputations of the late Marla and Harold Marks have been cleared."

Mr Marks commented: "There are no winners in a case like this. I now intend to move forward in my life and will not appeal against this decision."

The judge had decreed at the outset that evidence should be heard in private because of the sensitive nature of the allegations, but delivered his verdict in open court.

He also ruled that the estimated £35,000 costs of the sisters and the will's executors should be met from the estate.

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Monday, June 16, 2008

Regarding Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Guidelines in Call The Police

Regarding Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Guidelines in Call The Police
The Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter - June 16, 2008
By Vicki Polin
 
 
 Also see: 

Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch
Following Vicki Polin's original public statement regarding Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Guidelines for calling the police is a statement written by Rabbi Dr. Daniel Eidensohn on his blog called Daas Torah's blog.  Rabbi Sternbuch is the Chief Rabbi of the Orthodox Rabbinical Courts in Har Nof, Jerusalem, Israel and is telling his community members that they MUST get permission from a rabbi prior to contacting child protective services or any form of law enforcement ins suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.

Following Daniel Eidensohn's comment made on June 16, 2008, you will find two responses from Vicki Polin, who is the founder and director of The Awareness Center, along with a copy of the new psak created by Sternbuch.

Daniel Eidensohn is a psychotherapist in private practice since 1970.  According to Dr. Eidesohn's linkedin account, he states he specializes in short term solution oriented therapy for resolution of religious conflicts which are misunderstood as being psychological problems.  Eidensohn received his masters degree from Brooklyn, College, his doctorate from Adelphi University and his rabbinic education from Shor Yoshuv.

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Rav Moshe Sternbuch, shlita - Guidelines for Calling the Police
Daas Torah - Issues of Jewish Identity - June 8, 2008


Daniel Eidensohn, Blogger
There is a widespread impression that the police and the chareidi world have an inherently antagonistic relationship. There is also a widespread perception that the chareidi world is more concerned with covering up crimes such as child or wife abuse and that pedophiles are given free run. In other words there is a perception that the chareidi community is more worried by adverse publicity then it is about the welfare of the individual.

This Shabbos I had an intensive discussion with
Rav Moshe Sternbuch, shlita about these issues.

 

1) Child Molesters
He stated without hesitation and said that I can quote him - that if one knows that children are being molested that one should call the police. He noted that there is an important distinction to keep in mind. One calls the police when it is clear that someone is still in danger. Thus one does not automatically call the police concerning an event that took place once and is not going to be repeated. In such a case one should first consult with a rav. When I mentioned that many rabbis apparently felt differently “ he dismissed such a view as being wrong. He noted also that it is important for the community rabbis to have a good working relationship with the police. That means that the police need to be sensitive to the needs and nature of the chareidi community and the community needs to be understanding of the police. He said that there is such a relationship with many police forces.

The rule is summarized simply “ if one knows that someone is being physically abused or will be abused than it is required to call the police after consulting a rabbi who agrees he is a future danger as is common in such cases.

 

2) Vigilante actions
I mentioned the issue of vigilante actions in the chareidi community and whether they are to be praised or condemned. He noted that there are unfortunately disturbed and misguided individuals in the chareidi community “ as there are in other communities. The general rule is not to make a public protest when the problem is rare and insignificant. He said that it only encourages these individuals when their activities are publicized. However if they progress beyond this stage then it is important to take action. He mentioned the Bedatz dealt last year with vigilantes who burned down a clothing store in Geula. I mentioned the recent incident in Beitar. He said he condemned such behavior. If it is clearly not a rare act of a disturbed person then it needs to be dealt with.

[This is also related to the recent outbreak of burglaries in Har Nof where Rav Sternbuch lives. The unanimous ruling of the rabbonim of Har Nof is that one can call the police on Shabbos if one witnesses a break-in as there is also life danger involved. As is explained in Shmiras Shabbos K'hilchosa (41:25-29) “ this is because the possible danger associated with these break-ins. See also Aruch HaShulchan (C.M. 388:7). Tzitz Eliezer (19:52) also permitted calling the police in the case of teacher molesting his students. He based his psak on the Aruch HaShulchan.]

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Regarding Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Guidelines for Calling the Police
© (2008) Vicki Polin - CEO, The Awareness Center, Inc.

Vicki Polin, MA, LCPC, NCC,

It saddens me a great deal to read the posting on Daas Torah's blog. With all the information and education that is available to our rabbonim it appears that they are still refusing to learn from their past mistakes. I'll admit that I have never heard of Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch until I received an e-mail with the link to this blog. (Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, shlita, senior member of the Jerusalem Beit Din Tzedek (Jewish Religious Court)

My hope by providing the following information will help to prevent one more child from being harmed and that those who are already victims of sex crimes, the will be able to receive the proper help.

It's obvious that Rabbi Sternbuch is lacking basic knowledge about sex offenders and the needs of those who have been sexually violated as children. The most important message that needs to get out is that each of us should consider ourselves mandated reporters. This basically means if you SUSPECT a child is in danger you have to call your local hotline, rape crisis center or police. You don't go to a rabbi to get permission or have them make the call. The key word here is "SUSPECT." We need to leave all the investigating and fact finding/gathering to law enforcement and not our rabbonim.

Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch
Most children don't come out and say "I'm being raped at home, school, camp and or in shul." If we suspect a child is being harmed or at risk of harm it's vitally important that we don't ask the child leading questions. It's best to have a highly trained mental health professional and or child protection worker who works with law enforcement to talk to the child to get information.

How many times do I have to remind everyone that our rabbis DO NOT have specialized training in collecting forensic evidence nor do they have the education, training or skills to do a victim sensitive interview. Going to a rav "with concerns" just doesn't work. It's much better for the individual who suspects a child is at risk of harm to call their local child abuse hotlines directly.

The concern Rabbi Sternbuch has regarding child protection workers, rape victim advocates and the police not being "sensitive to the needs and nature of the charedi community" is not true in most cases. Most professionals want to do what they can to help and understand the cultural differences. I'm sure that Rabbi Sternbuch knows this and I'm afraid to say I think that he is trying to sell a bag of goods, with his fear tactics of saying the police will not work with or understand the cultural differences.

If you live in Israel and suspect a child is being abused call:
Israel Association for Child Protection (ELI)
English: http://www.eliusa.org/home.htm
Hebrew: http://www.eli.org.il/Content/index.asp

In the US call:
ChildHelp USA
1-800-4-A-CHILD
http://www.childhelp.org/get_help/local-phone-numbers

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The insensitive condescension of the secular towards the Orthodox community 
By Daniel Eidensohn
Daas Torah Blog - June 16, 2008

Daniel Eidensohn, Blogger
One of the consequences of my posting Rav Sternbuch’s psak regarding calling the police for child molesters is the manifestation of the significant gap between those who observe halacha and those who accept secular ideas and values as the objective standard of reality. I had noted that one of the reasons for consulting with a rav is the fact that the police and mental health workers are not always sensitive to religious values and not always sensitive to the welfare of the child. There is often a condescending attitude towards the “primitive” or “unenlightened” Orthodox which is the result of cultural bias – not scientific facts. 

An example of the concern that religious Jews have about the secular system is clearly manifest in the following letter I received. I am using Vicki Polin’s letter as an example because there is no question that she is sincere and dedicated in helping people. But it is also clear she has no clue about halacha and religious sensibilities. She read my first posting, and assumed that Rav Sternbuch – who she admits she never heard of before – must be ignorant. And she was so sure – without checking the facts – that she writes a strong letter of condemnation to be posted on my blog. She drew the erroneous conclusion that his concern is shielding the molester from the police – when in fact the opposite is true. She concludes with “Most professionals want to do what they can to help and understand the cultural differences. I'm sure that Rabbi Sternbuch knows this and I'm afraid to say I think that he is trying to sell a bag of goods, with his fear tactics of saying the police will not work with or understand the cultural differences.” 

A rather condescending comment which those in the religious community find offensive and as justification for their concerns with the insensitivities  towards religious values. 

Here are four examples of many from my personal experience.

1) I once consulted with a secular psychologist regarding a yeshiva bachur who had problems of low self-esteem. The psychologist responded that the problem was the result of the fact that the 17 year old bachur did not have a girl friend for sexual relations. When I objected that this was unacceptable, he replied that this was the only possible treatment for the problem! 

2) I know a frum family which was falsely accused of child abuse. The police department was called in and they arrived in force - insisting on being allowed into the house without warrant – or the parents would be taken to jail. They then demanded that all the children be separated from their parents and interrogated. It was only due to the fact that one of the neighbors was a lawyer that the crude pressure tactics were called off and the lawyer said this is not unusual. Even if the accusations were true, there was no justification for the gross insensitivity displayed. Even if we grant that these mental health professions really want to help – it doesn’t ensure that they act appropriately.

3) One of the social workers who was interrogating the children asked a ten year old girl how many children there were in the family. When she was told that there were nine children, this frum girl was asked how many men her mother had lived with.

4) I once was dealing with a yeshiva bachur who was placed in a mental hospital after attempting suicide. I was asked to give background information to the social worker at the hospital. When I asked her not to lock the door of her office because it was against Jewish law, she asked me with a smirk, whether I was afraid she would attack me.

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Vicki Polin's first response to Rabbi Daniel Eidensohn

Vicki Polin, MA, LCPC, NCC,
It saddens me a great deal to read this posting. With all the information and education that is available to our rabbonim it appears that they are still refusing to learn from their past mistakes. I'll admit that I have never heard of Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch until I received an e-mail with the link to this blog.

My hope by providing the following information will help to prevent one more child from being harmed and that those who are already victims of sex crimes, the will be able to receive the proper help.

It's obvious that Rabbi Sternbuch is lacking basic knowledge about sex offenders and the needs of those who have been sexually violated as children. The most important message that needs to get out is that each of us should consider ourselves mandated reporters. This basically means if you SUSPECT a child is in danger you have to call your local hotline, rape crisis center or police. You don't go to a rabbi to get permission or have them make the call. The key word here is "SUSPECT." We need to leave all the investigating and fact finding/gathering to law enforcement and not our rabbonim.

Most children don't come out and say "I'm being raped at home, school, camp and or in shul." If we suspect a child is being harmed or at risk of harm it's vitally important that we don't ask the child leading questions. It's best to have a highly trained mental health professional and or child protection worker who works with law enforcement to talk to the child to get information.

How many times do I have to remind everyone that our rabbis DO NOT have specialized training in collecting forensic evidence nor do they have the education, training or skills to do a victim sensitive interview. Going to a rav "with concerns" just doesn't work. It's much better for the individual who suspects a child is at risk of harm to call their local child abuse hotlines directly.

The concern Rabbi Sternbuch has regarding child protection workers, rape victim advocates and the police not being "sensitive to the needs and nature of the charedi community" is not true in most cases. Most professionals want to do what they can to help and understand the cultural differences. I'm sure that Rabbi Sternbuch knows this and I'm afraid to say I think that he is trying to sell a bag of goods, with his fear tactics of saying the police will not work with or understand the cultural differences.

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Daniel,

Vicki Polin, MA, LCPC, NCC,
It saddens me that you would write such a strong letter of condemnation to my statements posted on your blog. I wanted to make sure that you are aware that I have been living within the eruv of various orthodox communities for just under 10 years. Though I am no longer looking to become observant, I am very familiar with many of the cultural issues pertaining to sex crimes. When I've had questions I have always sought out one of my halachic advisors.

I'm sorry that your experience with the secular world has been to be looked down at. I have never thought of the Torah observant community as being "Primitive" or "unenlightened." I have used the terms "insulated " and "unaware," yet never "primitive" or unenlightened." I have often asked myself, how can someone have information or reach a level of awareness if they have not been education on various issues?

It was until around 1999 - 2001, that sexual abuse began to be discussed in orthodox circles. It wasn't until the case of rabbi Baruch Lanner  hit the news media, did the religious world start paying attention.

In 1999 I started transforming my private practice web page into what is know The Awareness Center's site.  In 2001 The Awareness Center really began to organize during the time I was living in Jerusalem, Israel.  It was at this time that I  realized how little was known in how to deal with cases appropriately in the religious world. When I saw appropriate I am meaning reporting crimes to law enforcement, verses chasing the offender out of town -- or shaming and blaming the victim (or their family members) into silence.

I became aware of the severity of the problem when I started doing outreach with a friend with religious teens who made their way down to Ben Yehuda. Just about every teen I met disclosed stories to me of molestation. Some of the kids were incest survivors others were being abused by neighbors, teachers, rabbis, etc. When I tried to get them help -- there was really nothing out there set up to address the issues. Most of the teens I spoke with came from communities such as Neve Yaakov and Har Nof.

Most of those who work in the field of sexual violence have at least a masters degree. This means 4 years of college, plus two years of graduate school. After they receive their masters degrees they are required to received at least 1000 hours of supervision prior to becoming licensed. Law enforcement officials who work sex crimes also have to undergo vigorous training in this highly specialized field.

Though our rabbis are experts in halacha, they are not experts in criminal matters, especially sex crimes committed against our children. When The Awareness Center first got started, I could not find one rabbi who could explain the difference between sexual assault and sexual harassment. Whenever the topic came up of child molestation in which the perpetrator and the victim were male, they automatically called the sex crime -- "homosexual behavior." Unfortunately, in most insulated communities using the wrong terms to describe a sex crime still occurs. By using incorrect termonology often shames and blames the victim and little is done to stop the assailant, which ends up with the offender creating move victims.

Those who are gay do not commit sex crimes anymore then those are heterosexual. When a male sex offender molests a child who is male -- this is NOT "homosexual behavior". The same is true in cases in which a yeshiva bochur is manipulated or forced into having sexual relations with a rav, or anyone else. These are SEX CRIMES!

I'm sorry you are confusing facts and the attempt to prevent anyone else from being a victim of a sex crimes as being condescending, offensive or insensitive towards your religious values. The bottom line is that our ravs don't have the information, education or training to be making determinations if a sex crime had occurred. Just as I would not go to a rav to determine if I needed open heart surgery, I would not go to a rav to determine if a sex crime had occurred.

My suggestion is that our rabbis send a few students to graduate school, let them volunteer at rape crisis centers, let them study law enforcement and then maybe I and many others would feel differently about them making a determination if a child or adult was molested or raped.
 
Vicki Polin, MA, NCC, LCPC, ATR-BC
Founder/Director - The Awareness Center, Inc.

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Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Psak

Friday, June 13, 2008

Prete Condannato Per Pedofilia «Solo Adesso Mi Sento Libero

Corriere Fiorentino

Chi lo conosce dice che ha accolto la condanna come fosse una liberazione. Sacerdote accusato di aver abusato di un bambino di 13 anni. Confessati altri 38 casi

Chi lo conosce dice che ha accolto la condanna come fosse una liberazione. La seconda dopo l'arresto, nel 2005, con l'accusa di aver abusato di un suo parrocchiano, un bambino di 13 anni. «Finalmente qualcuno mi ha aiutato» disse il sacerdote quando i carabinieri andarono a prenderlo. Dopo anni di buio, ieri l'ex parroco di Farneta, una frazione di Cortona (Arezzo), Pierangelo Bertagna, 46 anni, è stato condannato, con rito abbreviato, a otto anni di reclusione. Era accusato di violenza sessuale su 16 minori, abusi che lo stesso sacerdote confessò al magistrato. Dalla relazione di uno psicologo, depositata dai difensori del parroco Francesca Mafucci e Annelise Anania, emergerebbe che, in cerca di una via di uscita, già negli anni Ottanta il sacerdote avrebbe confidato la sua attrazione per i bambini a persone fidate dei «Ricostruttori nella preghiera», la comunità guidata da Gian Vittorio Cappelletto e di cui Bertagna faceva parte.

DEI 16 EPISODI, 4 SONO MINORI. Dei sedici episodi per i quali Bertagna è stato condannato, la maggior parte avvenuti nel Cortonese e nel Lazio, quattro riguardano minori di 10 anni. La vicenda emerse nel 2005, quando il religioso venne arrestato dai carabinieri. Il paese si ribellò, ma poi si scoprì che un bambino di 13 anni aveva raccontato alla madre le attenzioni subite dal parroco, che involontariamente ammise le proprie responsabilità scusandosi con la famiglia del piccolo. Poco dopo, ci fu la confessione al magistrato Ersilia Spena. «Fu una sorta di liberazione - dicono i difensori - Bertagna aveva sempre cercato qualcuno che lo aiutasse ma fino a quel momento, chi aveva raccolto i suoi sfoghi non aveva mosso un dito». Si racconta che siano 38 i casi confessati dal sacerdote al magistrato, non sempre su minori, non sempre con violenza. Si trattava di carezze molto audaci o di qualche contatto più profondo; mai, sembra, di rapporti completi. Dopo l'arresto, il vescovo di Arezzo Gualtiero Bassetti lo sospese a divinis. Poi Bertagna chiese al Papa di ridurlo allo stato laicale e Benedetto XVI lo dispensò da tutti gli oneri del sacerdozio. Bertagna, nato a Gardone Val Trompia (Brescia), ha avuto un'infanzia difficile: da bambino ha subito una violenza sessuale. Prima di entrare in seminario (sarà ordinato sacerdote a 39 anni) si era arrangiato con qualche lavoretto da falegname. Poi l'incarico a Farneta. «Da quando è stato arrestato - conclude Mafucci - ha passato il tempo fra eremi e attività di volontariato. Non è più tornato a Farneta. Paradossalmente, adesso che è sotto controllo in un luogo protetto, Bretagna si sente finalmente libero».
-----------------------------------
[translation]

The ruling

PRIEST GUILTY OF PEDOPHILIA

"Only now I feel to be free"

Those who know him say he accepted the verdict as if it was a liberation. The priest was accused of having abused a 13-year-old boy. He confessed to be the author of other 38 similar cases.

Those who know him say he accepted the guilty verdict as if it was a liberation. The second one after he was arrested, in 2005, with the charge of having abused a parishioner, a 13-year-old boy. "Finally someone helped me" said the priest when the carabinieri (the military police) went to arrest him. After years of dark, yesterday the former parish priest of Farneta, near Cortona (province of Arezzo), Pierangelo Bertagna, 46-years-old, was sentenced to 8 years in jail, with the abbreviated procedure. He committed sexual violence against 16 minors, as the same priest confessed in front of the judge. According to the report of a psychologist, deposited by the defense lawyers Francesca Mafucci and Annelise Anania, it emerged that in the '80s the priest had confided his attraction towards children to some people he trusted and who like himself belonged to the community "Ricostruttori nella preghiera", led by Gian Vittorio Cappelletto,

4 OUT OF THE 16 CASES CONFESSED REGARD 10 -YEAR- OLD MINORS. Most of the episodes happened near Cortona and in the Lazio region. When in 2005 the facts were discovered and the priest was arrested by the carabinieri, the town residents reacted harshly against him. Afterwards it was found out the 13-year-old boy had told his mother about his having been abused sexually and the parish priest admitted his responsibility and apologized. Later he confessed to the magistrate Ersilia Spena. "It was a kind of liberation -his defense lawyers said - for the priest had always looked for someone who could help him, but until then, those who had listened to his outbursts never moved a finger". It's being told that 38 were the cases confessed by the priest, not always against minors, not always using violence. The violence consisted of very profound caresses or some deeper contact; never, it seems, they consisted of a full intercourse. After the arrest, the bishop of Arezzo, Gualtiero Bassetti, suspended him "a divinis". Afterwards the priest asked the Pope to be reduced to the lay state and Benedict XVI dispensed him from all the obligations pertaining the priesthood. Bertagna was born at Gardone Val Trompia (Brescia) and his childhood was very difficult because he had also been sexually abused. Before entering the seminary (he became a priest when he was 39 years old) he had some odd jobs as a carpenter. Later he was appointed as a parish priest at Farneta. "Since he was arrested - concluded defense lawyer Maffucci - he spent his time in hermitages and doing volunteer activity. He never went back to Farneta. Paradoxically, now that he is under control and living in a protected place, Bretagna feels himself really free".

June 13, 2008

Posted by Kathy Shaw at 11:08 AM

Regarding Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Guidelines for Calling the Police

Jewish Survivors of Sexual Violence Speak Out

Regarding Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Guidelines for Calling the Police

Vicki Polin - CEO, The Awareness Center, Inc.

It saddens me a great deal to read the posting on Daas Torah's blog. With all the information and education that is available to our rabbonim it appears that they are still refusing to learn from their past mistakes. I'll admit that I have never heard of Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch until I received an e-mail with the link to this blog. (Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, shlita, senior member of the Jerusalem Beit Din Tzedek (Jewish Religious Court)

My hope by providing the following information will help to prevent one more child from being harmed and that those who are already victims of sex crimes, the will be able to receive the proper help.

It's obvious that Rabbi Sternbuch is lacking basic knowledge about sex offenders and the needs of those who have been sexually violated as children. The most important message that needs to get out is that each of us should consider ourselves mandated reporters. This basically means if you SUSPECT a child is in danger you have to call your local hotline, rape crisis center or police. You don't go to a rabbi to get permission or have them make the call. The key word here is "SUSPECT." We need to leave all the investigating and fact finding/gathering to law enforcement and not our rabbonim.

Letters to the Editor - Sex abuse survivors need compensation, however late

Letters:
Baltimore Examiner - June 13, 2008

One has to wonder how many other children Alan Beier might have molested. ("Former teacher gets four years for sex abuse of student," June 9)

We all have to realize that the majority of offenses committed against our children are never reported. If they are reported, it will not be until many years later. The majority of survivors don't come forward until they are in their 40s, 50s or beyond.

Maryland is one of the few states that has no statute of limitations on criminal charges being pressed against an alleged sex offender. However, it does have an archaic limitation for survivors of child sexual abuse to file a civil suit. We have to remember most of those who were molested do not realize how it has affected their lives until they have lived them. Survivors of child sexual abuse need to be compensated for their pain and suffering. Maryland needs to abolish the statute of limitations retroactively. There also should not be any financial caps on compensation.


Vicki Polin
Founder and Executive Director
The Awareness Center, Inc.
Baltimore, MD

Sunday, June 08, 2008

The Case of the Unnamed Rapist of Har Nof (Jerusalem, Israel)

The Case of the Unnamed Rapist of Har Nof 
Jerusalem, Israel


NOTE FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE:  The rapist in Har Nof is allegedly being sheltered by Rabbi Sternbuch. Rabbi Sternbuch apparently told his wife she has to divorce him. He is from a prominent chareidi family. This is the avreich who was raping young girls in the basement of buildings and who would rape young girls as they walked home from beit knesset on erev Shabbat. So now the young girls are still in danger.



No one is allowed to release the rapists name. Who is more important? To Rabbi Sternbuch the rapist and his family. Mothers warn your daughters and mothers in chul who send you daughters to Jerusalem or anywhere else where there is a chareidi community. Tell the to be on guard against this rapist who is at large and roaming free in Israel.


If you have more information about this case, please forward it to VickiPolin@aol.com
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Table of Contents:

2008
  1. Should Haredim Call Police When A Child Is Abused? (06/08/2008)
  2. Regarding Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Guidelines in Call The Police (06/16/2008)
     
2009
  1. Two suspected pedophiles arrested in ultra-Orthodox J'lem neighborhood
      (06/04/2009)
2011
  1. Rav Moshe Sternbuch threatened for his support of certain rabbinic organization (06/02/2011)
  2. Har Nof Pedophile Alert  (12/23/2011)
  3. Har Nof Pedophile: Rav Sternbuch's Psak  (12/25/2011)
2012
  1. Har Nof Pedophile  (01/12/2012)
  2. Warning to parents - Pedophile in RBS similar to pedophile in Har Nof (02/24/2012)
  3. Former Har Nof Pedophile alive and well  (04/12/2012)


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Should Haredim Call Police When A Child Is Abused?
Failed Messiah Blog - June 8, 2008 
If you are haredi and hold by Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch of Jerusalem's Edah HaHaredit (Badatz Yerushalyim), the answer is…
…probably not, as Daniel Eidensohn of Da'asTorah reports:
Rav Moshe Sternbuch, shlita - Guidelines for calling the Police
There is a widespread impression that the police and the chareidi world have an inherently antagonistic relationship. There is also a widespread perception that the chareidi world is more concerned with covering up crimes such as child or wife abuse and that pedophiles are given free run. In other words there is a perception that the chareidi community is more worried by adverse publicity then it is about the welfare of the individual.


This Shabbos I had an intensive discussion with Rav Moshe Sternbuch, shlita about these issues.


1) Child Molesters


He stated without hesitation and said that I can quote him - that if one knows that children are being molested that one should call the police.
He noted that there is an important distinction to keep in mind. One calls the police when it is clear that someone is still in danger. Thus one does not automatically call the police concerning an event that took place once and is not going to be repeated. In such a case one should first consult with a rav. When I mentioned that many rabbis apparently felt differently – he dismissed such a view as being wrong. He noted also that it is important for the community rabbis to have a good working relationship with the police. That means that the police need to be sensitive to the needs and nature of the chareidi community and the community needs to be understanding of the police. He said that there is such a relationship with many police forces.


The rule is summarized simply –
if one knows that someone is being physically abused or will be abused than it is required to call the police after consulting a rabbi who agrees he is a future danger as is common in such cases.

2) Vigilante actions


I mentioned the issue of vigilante actions in the chareidi community and whether they are to be praised or condemned. He noted that there are unfortunately disturbed and misguided individuals in the chareidi community – as there are in other communities. The general rule is not to make a public protest when the problem is rare and insignificant. He said that it only encourages these individuals when their activities are publicized. However if they progress beyond this stage then it is important to take action. He mentioned the Bedatz dealt last year with vigilantes who burned down a clothing store in Geula. I mentioned the
recent incident in Beitar. He said he condemned such behavior. If it is clearly not a rare act of a disturbed person then it needs to be dealt with.

[This is also related to the recent outbreak of burglaries in Har Nof where Rav Sternbuch lives. The unanimous ruling of the rabbonim of Har Nof is that one can call the police on Shabbos if one witnesses a break-in as there is also life danger involved. As is explained in Shmiras Shabbos K’hilchosa (41:25-29) – this is because the possible danger associated with these break-ins. See also Aruch HaShulchan (C.M. 388:7). Tzitz Eliezer (19:52) also permitted calling the police in the case of teacher molesting his students. He based his psak on the Aruch HaShulchan.]
Realize this well. Rabbi Sternbuch is saying that rabbis should decide whether crimes should be reported to the police. He is also saying that anything – even child rape – that can be classified as a "one time" occurrence should not be reported. 

And how do rabbis determine if this child rape is a one time occurrence or not? Obviously, if they know of a previous "one time" occurrence with this rapist, then calling the police might be in order. 

What this rabbinic 'genius' has just done is allow child rapists and molesters – the crimes with the highest recidivism rate known to man – to walk free to rape and abuse some more, until they are caught for a second – or third, or fourth – time. 

Who is to say Rabbi A will know that Rabbi B already ruled Child Rapist Rabbi X to be a "one time" rapist? And who says Rabbi C will know this 9 months later or Rabbi D 13 months later? 

In other words, with no mandated reporting, there can be no effective tracking. Even if one were to buy into Rabbi Sternbuch's fantasy, there is no way to make that fantasy work.
Rabbi Sternbuch has just guaranteed that many more haredi women and children will be raped and molested, and their haredi abusers will walk free – under the protection of rabbis. 


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Regarding Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Guidelines in Call The Police
The Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter - June 16, 2008

Following Vicki Polin's original public statement regarding Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Guidelines for calling the police is a statement written by Rabbi Dr. Daniel Eidensohn on his blog called Daas Torah's blog.  Rabbi Sternbuch is the Chief Rabbi of the Orthodox Rabbinical Courts in Har Nof, Jerusalem, Israel and is telling his community members that they MUST get permission from a rabbi prior to contacting child protective services or any form of law enforcement ins suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
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Two suspected pedophiles arrested in ultra-Orthodox J'lem neighborhood
Case came to light thanks to head of yeshiva where alleged victim studied.
By Jonathan Lis
Haaretz - June 04, 2009

Police remanded two men Wednesday suspected of more than 20 sexual attacks on young boys in an ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem neighborhood. One of the two, a 17-year-old, is suspected of attacking an 11-year-old boy who lives in the neighborhood. 

The case came to light after the head of the yeshiva where the alleged victim studies told the boy's father six months ago that boy had told him an older boy had accosted him on the bus. The boy said the 17-year-old persuaded him the get off the bus with him, took him to the yeshiva where the older boy studies and molested him in the bathroom. 

On the basis of the principal's allegations, the father filed a complaint with the police. On Tuesday, after the boy told his father he saw his alleged attacker on the street, the father called the police, who arrested the suspect. He confessed to nine other attacks on neighborhood boys. 

Meanwhile, in the same neighborhood, a 43-year-old man was arrested and remanded Wednesday for molesting boys in recent years. Two teenage boys who complained that the man had molested them said he had attacked at least 10 boys, some of them allegedly friends of his children. 

The suspect's attorney, Kobi Segal, said his client denied the allegations. Durng his remand hearing, the man said the complaints against him came from neighborhood people who were persecuting him because he led a more liberal lifestyle than others in the quarter. 

During the hearing, the suspect presented polygraph results which he said he had taken of his own accord, and that he said he passed. 

Police said Wednesday, in contrast to the statements of the suspect's lawyer, suspicions about the man had grown stronger over the past few days, and additional complainants have come forward since his arrest.

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Rav Moshe Sternbuch threatened for his support of certain rabbinic organization
Daas Torah  - Thursday, June 2, 2011
BCHOL

האיום: "נגיע אליך ואל אביך הראב"ד - ושם זה יסתיים"
המאבק המלוכלך בין הארגונים המתיימרים לפעול למניעת חילול קברים - עולה מדרגה • בן הגר"מ שטרנבוך זכה לאיום טלפוני מ'אתרא קדישא' עקב תמיכתו במתחרה

KikarShabbat 

הבוקר (חמישי) נחצו כל הקווים האדומים: קבוצה מכת ה"סיקריקים" התקשרה לרב חיים-עוזר שטרנבוך, בנו של ראב"ד העדה החרדית הרה"ג רבי משה שטרנבוך ואיימה עליו כי "תטפל בו, תחנך אותו ותעמיד אותו במקום" - כך נודע ל"כיכר השבת". מה הסיבה ולפיה יצא הקצף של ה"סיקריקים" על בנו של הראב"ד

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Har Nof Pedophile Alert
Failed Messiah Blog - December 23, 2011

A pedophile has allegedly been preying on children in Har Nof Jerusalem.

There's an email circulating about a pedophile who has been preying on kids in Har Nof, Jerusalem. A neighborhood activist asked Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch if police could be called to report the pedophile if he trued to grab a child on Shabbos – which apparently happened last week.

Rabbi Shternbuch said police should be called, even on Shabbos, and that pictures can be taken of the pedophile even on Shabbos, but added that when possible, the call and the photography should be done with a shinui, meaning that a person should, but only if possible without delaying, make a change in how s/he would regularly dial the phone or take the picture. (Halakhicly, a shinui should not be used if it would delay reaching police or if it would reduce the quality or quantity of the pictures taken.)

A prent asked Rabbi Shterbuch about publicizing the existence of the pedophile,and Rabbi Shternbuch said it should be publicized.

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Har Nof Pedophile: Rav Sternbuch's Psak 
Daas Torah - December 25, 2011
Rav Sternbuch's gabbai sent me the following clarification:


The Rav told me to publicise in his name that he has not allowed any chillul Shabbos midaorayso, the Rav feels that if there is no issur Torah it is allowed what is absolutely necessary as this is a tzorah drabim, this does not include taking photos . The rav has never allowed going around with a telephone and camera on Shabbos, in special situations a rav must be consulted. 

Rafoel Rechnitzer
---------------------------------
I also confirmed with Rav Treibitz that he gave a heter [for those who had seem him] to call the police on Shabbos and to carry a camera on Shabbos to take his picture because the police said that if they knew what he looked like they would surely catch him. He told me that unfortunately there have been a number of victims already.

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Har Nof Pedophile
Safe Children - January 12, 2012
By Leah Amdur

During November and December a pedophile attacked children in Brand street and on the 28th December 2 girls avoided being attacked on HaKablan Street, due to the brave act of one girl whose father warned her about the pedophile.  She screamed “Kidnapper!” and he fled.  Unfortunately he molested another girl two buildings away 15 minutes later.  Unfortunately, 10 minutes before the HaKablan incident, the pedophile accosted two girls (ages 9-10) on Katznelbogen at the corner of Agassi.

One girl was molested.

the person’s description is 30 years old, around 5’10 full black beard,
kova “knaitch” (Borsalino style), regular suit length jacket. The best
this will do is eliminate men who do not meet this description.

The incident was reported to the police.

It has been rumored that a pedophile struck 3 times within the last month at Katznelbogen 2/4/6

I haven’t heard that the pedophile or maybe pedophiles have been caught

May Hashem protect our children and may the pedophiles be caught and jailed soon

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Warning to parents – Pedophile in RBS similar to pedophle in Har Nof
Safe Children - February 24, 2012
By Leah Amdur

Subject: Re; Warning to parents – pedophile operating in Ramat Beit Shemesh – similar to the pedophile in Har Nof
Warning  It has come to our attention that there is a man operating in Ramat Bet Shemesh who has reportedly lured and attacked young girls.His modus operandi is reportedly that he approaches a young girl and invites her to “help him” in darkened or secluded areas (machsanim, car parks, etc) and then he attacks the girl. (This method may change – so it is better not to be too specific when discussing this with your children – see below).

Anyone who notices anything strange of this nature should immediately call the police and if possible take photos.

If one sees a child being lured or led into such a dark/secluded area, or into a vehicle, one should certainly intervene, without placing oneself in danger, such as by asking the child if the man is her/his father. Please note any identifying information, such as location of incident, description of the person and what he is wearing, ethnicity, age, unusual facial characteristics, smells and any other details, even if they seem inconsequential at the time.
For victims, it’s essential that the police are informed and they can interview any children involved (which is done solely by highly trained experts), so that they can investigate and arrest this person, and also so the child can receive professional assistance if required. Please contact the Police and Magen if you have any information or you need assistance in coping with this problem.

It’s essential to know where our children are at all times and specifically they should be calmly instructed NOT to speak to adults they don’t know, and NEVER to go with an adult they don’t know, even if the adult asks them to do a mitzva, offers them candy or says he’s lost, and even if he looks frum (as this man reportedly does). It is a good idea to role-play these situations with your children, telling them to quickly walk away if someone they don’t know tries to talk to them, and scream loudly if anyone (including people they do know) tries to touch them on areas of the body which are normally covered – and they should immediately tell their parents and/or other trusted adult.

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Former Har Nof Pedophile alive and well
Katamon Message Board - April 1, 2012

Dear Friends,

This past erev Shabbos the Har Nof Weekly "Shechunaton" ran a large advertisement from the pedophile, Mr. Daniel Sunray, for his jewlrey business which is now located in Bayit Vegan. It is highly offensive and inappropriate that an individual who was driven out of the neighborhood after escaping conviction for abuse of numerous local children should be given space in a local newspaper as if he were a normal member of the community. True, every Jew has the right to support his family, but such an offender should a sense of shame and have the decency to refrain from advertising himself openly in the neighborhood he was compelled to leave.

If you feel as I do, please register your protest with the Har Nof Weekly, e-mail HarNofWeekly@... or phone number 02 579 7641. It is important they hear from many people. Please forward this email to others on your list.

In addition, I would also recommend that anyone who has friends in Bayit Vegan inform them about this new resident of their neighborhood. There is no issue of lashon hora. To the contrary, it is essential that people be aware who Mr. Sunray is in order to protect their children. Clinical studies demonstrate that pedophiles do not reform on their own, and the offender will almost certainly look for future opportunities to practice his sick behavior.

Avraham Nadler

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