Letters to the Editor - The Awareness Center wants to thank David Framowitz, Mark Weiss, Joel Engelman Baruch Sandhaus

Letter To The Editor

Letters to the Editor - The Awareness Center wants to thank David Framowitz, Mark Weiss, Joel Engelman,  Baruch Sandhaus

By Vicki Polin, CEO/Founder

Jewish Week - October 30, 2008

The Awareness Center wants to thank David Framowitz, Mark Weiss, Joel Engelman Baruch Sandhaus for their courage for being public and also for joining the fight in protecting children from sexual predators and for helping to get the word out about the upcoming legislation in New York in hopes of abolishing the statute of limitations on civil suits against sex offenders and those who assist in covering up crimes.

We all need to remember that a quarter of the population in the United States (including the orthodox world) have been sexually abused by the time they reach their 18th birthday (National Crimes Victim Center). Both male and female children are targets. According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (1988) the typical child molester will offend on average 117 children, most of whom will never report the crimes.

Over a 25-year period, child molesters had a higher rate of re-offense than rapists: 52% versus 39%. (Prentky, Lee, Knight, and Cerce). Considering the statistics above, as Jews we all need to do what we can to protect children, educate our community members and demand change in the way our community leaders have been dealing with both those who have been victimized and those who perpetrate the crimes.

If you are interested in helping with the pending legislation in New York contact Joseph Byrnes: jospbyrnes@optonline.net.

Vicki Polin, MA, NCC, LCPC, ATR-BC Founder and CEO

The Awareness Center, Inc.

(the international Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault)

P.O. Box 65273, Baltimore, MD 21209

www.theawarenesscenter.org

443-857-5560