© (2003, Revised 2006, 2012)
The Awareness Center,
Inc.
The Awareness Center has been contacted by family members
and friends of some of the individuals on our sex offender's registry of alleged and convicted offenders.
To help clarify our intentions and policies regarding listing
individuals' names on our site, we decided it is best to make our intentions
and policies public.
The purpose of the information provided on our website
is to educate our community on issues pertaining to sexual violence in Jewish
communities on an international level. The Awareness Center is a victim
advocacy organization. One of the goals of The Awareness Center is
to prevent anyone else from being sexually victimized (sexually abused, sexually assaulted, clergy sexual abuse, incest) sexual misconduct, sexual harassment).
Please note, the only individuals who are listed on
our site, are ones who'd had allegations made against them which were then
published in reputable newspapers, have transcripts from televisions shows
where the case(s) have been discussed, have police records and/or we have
court documentation regarding the case, or
at least two executive board members have felt we had significant information regarding.
We are well aware that unfortunately, there are many
other cases in which there is NO paper trail to be found, cases that were
not brought to law enforcement's attention, and where no news media group
wrote an article referring to the case. Although our intention is first and
foremost to help raise awareness to cases of abuse and minimize re-victimization,
we cannot post names of alleged persons without similar documentation.
The Awareness Center encourages everyone to
make hot-line report, if and when you suspect a child is at risk of harm.
If you or a family member has been victimized, immediately
go to your local emergency room. That is one resource that is usually trained
in collecting the forensic evidence needed. Your emergency room is mandated
by law to call the police and child protective services.
The Awareness Center encourages individuals who have
been victimized and family members to make police reports, follow through
with pressing criminal charges, and to testify when requested. If you or
anyone you know is being threatened or harassed by an alleged offender, or
someone who represents him/her, it is critical that you notify your local
police department. You may also want to contact your local rape crisis center
for both counseling and legal help (especially if there is any form of witness
tampering).
Some of the common threats include prohibiting the
child victim and their siblings from being allowed in any Yeshiva (Jewish
School), or that rumors would be spread about them to make sure that they
not find a spouse when they come of age. Unfortunately, this is a heartbreaking
reality. Remember, witness tampering is also a crime that needs to be
investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The Awareness Center encourages offenders (emotional,
physical and sexual abuse) to seek treatment and make amends with those they
hurt.
The Awareness Center adopted the following policy.
If an alleged or convicted offender complies with
all the following, our board of directors will meet to discuss removing the
name from our
page:
-
After the offender or alleged offender can demonstrate
that he/she has apologized directly to the victim(s), and the survivors feel
that the apology was sincere.
-
-
After the offender has made a public statement
acknowledging his/her relevant behavior.
-
-
After the offender has entered treatment with a licensed
psychotherapist who meets our criteria of someone specializing in sex offender
treatment, and can present a certified letter from this therapist stating
that "the individual is no longer a threat to those he or she preyed
upon.
-
-
After the offender has paid restitution to the survivor(s)
for the pain and suffering they have endured and also pays for counseling
for his/her victim(s).
-
-
The offender agrees to sign a written statement stating
they will not work (paid or volunteer) for any agency, organization or
institution that has any connections with children, or what ever population
the offender has victimize.
If an individual listed on The Awareness Center's
web page believes they have been falsely accused and wishes to be removed
from The Awareness
Center's web page:
-
The alleged offender will need to be evaluated by a
licensed mental health provider (at their own expense) who meets our
criteria of someone who specializing in sex offender treatment.
-
-
The alleged offender will need to sign a release of
information form so that the licensed mental health professional can discuss
the case with us.
-
-
The licensed mental health professional will need to
send us a certified letter stating "the individual does not fit the criteria
of someone who is a sex offender or fits the criteria of an individual with
a sex addiction".
