Wrestling Bears and Abolishing the Statute of Limitation Laws

Wrestling Bears and Abolishing the Statute of Limitation Laws

Support Illinois HB 1063 to Remove the Criminal Statute of Limitations for Sex Crimes Against Children

Action Alert! We need your help! Support HB 1063 to Remove the Criminal Statute of Limitations for Sex Crimes Against Children The Bill: HB 1063 eliminates the criminal statute of limitations for sex crimes committed against children, giving prosecutors an unlimited amount of time to try these cases.  This bill reflects the reality of childhood sexual abuse, and the fact that many survivors of childhood sexual abuse are not able to come forward until later in life. The bill is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, May 15 in subcommittee at 8:55 a.m. and in the Senate Criminal Law Committee at 9:00 a.m. ICASA staff and a fabulous survivor will be providing testimony in support of the bill.  The bill passed the House 109-0 but has been substantially slowed in the Senate because the Illinois States Attorneys' Association opposes it.  We need your help! How You Can Help: You can do two things to help move this bill along - each of them will only take a few minutes. 1.    Before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, submit an electronic witness slip on behalf of your organization in support of the bill. Here's how to fill out the slip online: A.  Click here to go to the Senate Criminal Law Hearing page.  B.  Scroll down to HB 1063, and click on "Create Witness Slip."C.  Fill out your information, identify yourself as a "proponent" for the bill, and check "Record of Appearance Only."D.  When you receive a confirmation email, please forward it to Lshawgo@icasa.org 2.  The bill will be heard first in a subcommittee of the Senate Criminal Law Committee and then in the Criminal Law Committee. If your Senator is on the Criminal Law Committee, please call their office before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, and ask them to "Please vote yes on HB 1063."  It is perfectly fine to tell their assistant why you personally feel that prosecutors should have more time to prosecute these cases. Tim Bivins -(R) 45th District  (217) 782-0180 Michael Connelly -(R) 21st District  (217) 782-8192 Bill Cunningham -(D) 18th District  (217) 782-5145 William R. Haine -(D) 56th District (also serves on Special Issues Subcommittee)  (217) 782-5247 Dan Kotowski -(D) 28th District (also serves on Special Issues Subcommittee)  (217) 782-3875 John Mulroe -(D) 10th District  (217) 782-1035 Michael Noland -(D) 22nd District (217) 782-7746 Kwame Raoul -(D) 13th District  (217) 782-5338 Dale Righter -(R) 55th District (also serves on Special Issues Subcommittee)  (217) 782-6674 Patricia Van Pelt -(D) 5th District  (217) 782-6252 A copy of the fact sheet in support of the bill is below for you to review.  Please forward this email widely! If you have any questions, please contact the ICASA office at 217-753-4117. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Support HB 1063 Removes Criminal Statute of Limitations for Sex Crimes Against Children Status: Senate Subcommittee on Special Issues Sponsors: Representative Jefferson (D-67); Senators Collins (D-16), Hunter (D-3) What Does the Bill Do? HB 1063 removes the criminal statute of limitations for any sex offense when the victim was under 18 years at the time of the offense. Why Does the Statute of Limitations Need to be Changed? Most child victims are not ready to report the abuse to law enforcement until after the criminal statute of limitations has expired.  Most child victims are abused by family members or family acquaintances. Offenders often use coercion/guilt tactics to prevent the reporting of abuse. Some of the effects of sexual abuse do not become apparent until the victim is an adult and a major life event, such as marriage or birth of a child, takes place. This law would protect other children from victimization by giving prosecutors a better chance to prosecute and convict sex offenders.

Mary Poppins On Protecting Kids

APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

Mary Poppins On Protecting Kids

Honoring Tim Walsh

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Honoring Tim Walsh

For almost a decade Tim Walsh has had the audacity and courage to speak his mind when it comes to advocating for the State of New York to rid it's self of the archaic laws on the books when it comes to the statute of limitations in which a survivor of a sex crime has to file a civil suit against their offender(s).  Tim has spent thousands of hours researching and disseminating information for his daily e-mails that is received by activists globally, along with working with various advocacy groups in hopes of learning from them in hopes of making New York a safer place to raise children.

Because of Tim's tenacity to shine a light on many dark and ugly secrets, there has been a small group of people who have been spreading ugly rumors about his personhood.  Though these attempts at destroying his reputation may be painful, they have not stopped Tim or the important work he's been doing.  Instead he draws strength from them, because of this we should all see Tim Walsh as a hero and should be honored and respected as one.  Next time you see Tim.  Please stand up and give him a round of applause.  

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

If you believe that ALL survivors of sex crimes should be treated with dignity and respect and that you believe the Statute of Limitations should be abolished, share this image with everyone you know.

It's also important to remember that the SOL bills are about the Survivors and NOT about a particular attorney who is using the movement for their own personal gain.

Mandated Reporting and Halacha (Jewish Law)

Mandated Reporting and Halacha (Jewish Law)

This page is under construction 

   
Table of Contents

Articles:

1. The right to heal from child sexual abuse (11/28/2012)
2. HISTORY: 50 years ago today "The Battered-Child Syndrome recognized by medical professionals (07/04/2012) 
3. On Mandated Reporting (04/30/2012)  
4. Mandated Reporting and Jewish Law (05/01/2012)  
5. Dr. Michael J. Salamon on mandated reporting (05/13/2012)
6. Mandated Reporting - Rabbi Benzion Y. Wosner (12/24/2005) 
7. List of US States where Clergy ARE Mandated Reporters  (09/04/2005)
8. Clergy as Mandated Reporters (02/25/2003) 

Problematic Individuals and organizations not making hot-line reports 

1. Rabbi David Zwiebel on Mandated Reporting (06/25/2012)
2. Regarding the Sovri Helpline and mandated reporting (06/20 2012)
3. Mandated Reporting in NJ: Dr. Pelcovitz, what are you thinking?  (05/06/2012)
4. The problem with Charlie: Brooklyn DA enabling Jewish sex offenders (04/26/2012) 
5. CALL TO ACTION: Elliot Pasik is still involved with the Jewish Board of Advocates for Children? (07/25/2011)
6. Top Doc Scared Off Panel On Rabbinic Sex Molestors (09/10/2008)
7. Regarding Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch's Guidelines in Call The Police (06/16/2008) 
8. Letter to the Editor - Hands Off: Don't investigate yourself (07/20/2006)
9. Notification Bill Faces Challenges:  Clergy Already Report Abuse, Opponents Say (02/01/2004)
10. Mandated Reporting - Rabbi Yosef Blau (2003)
11. Mandated Reporting - Rabbi Mark Dratch (04/15/2003)
12. Informing on Fellow Jews who Commit Crimes: Mesira in Modern Times (10/19/2001)

Opposition of changing the statute of limitation's on sex crimes

1. Regarding David Mandel Opposing the SOL bill in New York (04/28/2009)
2. Should we be shocked that David Mandel would oppose the SOL bill in NY (04/26/2009) 
3. Rabbinic Molesters Issue Moving Agudah (03/06/2003)
4. Child Molestation - David Mandel and Ohel Children's Home and Family Services
   (10/09/2007)
5. Legislators reject bill requiring priests to break seal of Confession (03/06/2003)
    

Other related information 

1. Ethics of news media in covering cases of sexual crimes (07/18/2005)  
2. Political Issues and Resources Relating to Childhood Sexual Abuse  
3. I Don't Believe You (03/03/2003)
4. Background Information and The History of Rabbinical Ordinations (07/19/2007)
    

Case of Harvey Erlich, DDS

Case of Harvey Erlich, DDS

Dr. Harvey Erlich - Alleged sex offender

Dentist - Toronto, Canada
Choir Teacher - Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Allegations were made that Harvey Erlich sexually assaulted a boy at Shaarei Shomayim Congregation and also in his home from 1975 - 1980.  If you or anyone you know was abused by Erlich please contact the Toronto Police Dept. Please note that in Canada there is NO statute of limitations on sex crimes committed against children.  

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477, online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. 

The Awareness Center was first made aware of the allegations back in 2002, yet at that time no survivors were willing to come forward.  We are grateful to the survivors who finally had the courage to come forward to make police reports.  You should consider yourselves to be heroes.   

The Awareness Center has been informed that Harvey Ehrlich has been a choir conductor since he was 14-years-old.  he was trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music and is an accomplished pianist.  

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Disclaimer: Inclusion in this website does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement. Individuals must decide for themselves if the resources meet their own personal needs.

Table of Contents:

2012

1. Toronto Police Service News Release (11/15/2012) 
2. Former Choir Master Accused of Sexually Assaulting Two Former Students (11/15/2012)
3. Former choir teacher charged with ‘gross indecency’ (11/16/2012) 
4. Man charged in sex assault case dating back to 1975 (11/16/2012)
    

Also see:

• Case of Heshi Nussbaum
• In Memory of Chezi Goldberg (Scotty): A Rape Victim Advocate
• Case of The Unnamed Kidnapping Chazen

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Toronto Police Service News Release

Man charged in historical sexual assault investigation

Toronto Police Department - November 15, 2012

Harvey Erlich - Alleged sex offender

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Former Choir Master Accused of Sexually Assaulting Two Former Students 
Newstalk Radio 1010 - November 16, 2012

A 58-year-old former choir teacher is facing accusations that he sexually assaulted two young boys back in the late 1970's.

Police have arrested Harvey Erlich on 2 counts of gross indecency - after two separate - alleged incidents in the city.

The first - a man says he was assaulted by Erlich when he was 11 at a synagogue on Glencairn Avenue.

The second - a man says he was assaulted at Erlich's home when he was 13-years-old.
Cops say there could be more victims.
 
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Former choir teacher charged with ‘gross indecency’

Vancouverite - November 16, 2012

TORONTO – Police are investigating accusations of sexual assaults against at least two boys between January 1975 and April 1980 by a former choir teacher at Shaarei Shomayim Congregation on Glencairn Avenue, Toronto.

Harvey Erlich, 58, is alleged to have sexually assaulted an 11-year old boy at the synagogue. He is also accused of having sexually assaulted a second boy, then aged 13, at the boy’s home in the Wilmington-Sheppard Avenue West area.

Erlich was arrested last Tuesday and charged in the Finch Avenue West court with two counts of gross indecency.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416?808?3200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416?222?TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. 

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Man charged in sex assault case dating back to 1975

Inside Toronto - November 16, 2012

A man has been charged in a historic sexual assault investigation dating back more than 30 years.

The assaults allegedly happened between January 1975 and April 1980, police said. 

Police said an 11-year-old boy was sexually assaulted inside Shaarei Shomayim Congregation on Glencairn Avenue by a choir teacher. 

Police said a second male victim, who was 13 at the time, was sexually assaulted in a Wilmington and Sheppard avenues home. 

Harvey Erlich, 58, of Toronto, was charged Tuesday, Nov. 13 with two counts of gross indecency.

Police believe there may be more victims. 

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-3200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.

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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.
 

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Regarding New York Assemblymember Vito Lopez

CNN: Alleged Epidemic Of Child Sex Abuse In Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Communities

A message to Charles Hynes, District Attorney of Kings County (Brookyn, NY)

Vicki Polin on Statute of Limitation Bills Across the United States

Help Those Who Were Sexually Abused in New York

CALL TO ACTION:  Help Those Who Were Sexually Abused in New York

New York Assembly Bill A2596 / Senate Bill S2568
The Awareness Center's Daily News Letter - June 9, 2009
 

Click here for more information on this bill and/or for daily updates

If you live in the state of New York, were abused in New York, and/or your offender has lived in or currently resides in New York, contact Senators Dean G. Skelos and Dale M. Volker (Chair of the Codes Committee). They are key in getting the New York - Child Victim Act of 2009 passed.

The Child Victims Act of New York is in the hands of Senator Dean G. Skelos (Long Island) and Senator Dale E. Volker.  On behalf of protecting children and those who were already abused, please call both Senators and let them know you are counting on them to allow the bill (Child Victims Act of 2009) to reach the Senate floor for a vote.  They need to be persuaded to support the amended bill (already on record as opposed to original bill).

Remind the Senators that according to statistics, between one-fourth to one-fifth of their constituents are survivors of childhood sexual abuse (forty-six percent of these constituents were abused by family members, the remaining fifty-four percent are made up of survivors of babysitters, neightbors, doctors, therapists, teachers. It's only 2% by clergy of all faiths).  

It is also important to mention that if they allow the bill on the senate floor not only will survivors in their districts vote for them in the next election, that you are sure that all supportive people in the survivors lives will also be more likely to vote for them.  Any Senator not voting for this bill is basically saying that they care more about political pressure and game playing then caring about protecting children in who live in their district or travel through the state of New York.  

See Contact Information and Brief Bio's on Both Senators Below

Senator Dale M. Volker - 59th Senate District

http://www.senatorvolker.com/59/Contact.aspx

Facebook

Albany Office:Legislative Office Building, Room 808
Albany, New York 12247
518.455.3471

Main District Office:
4729 Transit Road, Suite #5
Depew, New York  14043
716.656.8544

Warsaw District Office:
143 North Main Street - Room 103
Warsaw, New York 14569
585-786-5048

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Dean G. Skelos9th Senate District

Albany OfficeRoom 907 LOB
Albany, NY 12247
(518) 455-3171

District Office
55 Front Street
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
(516) 766-8383

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Senator Dale M. Volker (NY)

Current Office: State Senate Current District: 59 Party: Republican, Conservative, Independence, Working Families Background Information Gender: Male Family: Wife: Carol 3 Children: Martin Andrew, Mark Dale, Meredith Ann. Birth Date: 08/02/1940 Birthplace: Lancaster, NY Home City: Depew, NY Religion: Catholic Education:  JD, State University of New York, Buffalo Law School, 1966 BA, Canisius College, Buffalo, 1963 Attended, Niagara University. Professional Experience: Practicing Attorney, Private Practice, present Police Officer, Village of Depew, 1963-1972. Political Experience: Assistant Majority Leader, Conference Operations, New York State Senate, present Senator, New York State Senate, 1975-present Won Special Election, New York State Senate, 1975 Assemblymember, New York State Assembly, 1972-1975. ======================================================================== Senator Dean G. Skelos (NY) Current Office: State Senate Current District: 9 Party: Republican, Independence Background Information Gender: Male Family: Wife: Gail 1 Child: Adam. Birth Date: 02/16/1948 Birthplace: Rockville Centre, NY Home City: Rockville Centre, NY Religion: Greek Orthodox(?) Education:  JD, Fordham Law School, 1975 BA, History, Washington College, 1970. Professional Experience: Counsel, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek Professional Corporation. Political Experience: Temporary President/Majority Leader, New York State Senate, 2009-present Minority Leader, New York State Senate, 2008-2009 Deputy Majority Leader for Legislative Operations, New York State Senate, 1995-2008 Senator, New York State Senate, 1984-present Assemblymember, New York State Assembly, 1981-1982. Organizations: Member, National Conference of Insurance Legislators, present Member, National Conference of State Legislators, present Member, Order of American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, present Member, Rockville Centre Kiwanis, present Member, Sons of Italy, present Member, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, present Member, Valley Stream Elks, present Board of Directors, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, 1998. Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees:  Member, Capital Program Review Board, present Member, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Program Review Board, 1998-present Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment Member, Nassau Republican Committee Member, New York State Republican Committee Chair, NextGen Task Force Member, Rockville Centre Republican Committee. Committees: Rules, Member

David Mandel on the SOL Bill: Once again putting offenders and orthodox agencies before the needs of survivors of sex crimes

Please keep in mind that David Mandel is the CEO of Ohel, which is an orthodox mental health agency in Brooklyn. You can watch him on youtube telling Baltimore community members not to report suspected cases of child abuse/neglect to legal authorities.  Instead he instructs individuals to bring their suspicions to their local orthodox rabbi.  I have never met a single rabbi who has training or any form of education in evidence collection nor forensic interviewing.

Please write letters to the Jewish Times (5 Towns) regarding David Mandel's comments:

P.O. Box 690, Lawrence, NY 11559

516-984-0079

editor@5&JT.com 

 

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Sexual Abuse Legislation: A Proposed Strategy For ReformBy David Mandel Jewish Times Five Towns Thursday - April 30, 2009

There is legislation pending to extend the statute of limitations on reporting and prosecuting child molesters. There is general agreement this change in the law would be good. Victims of child molestation, even older adolescents, are often not ready to disclose or confront their offenders until years later. A second piece of legislation to open a “window” of one year permitting victims, even those molested decades ago, to file civil lawsuits against molesters or the institutions that employed them has drawn both strong support and strong opposition. As is often the case, victims’ advocates will favor the proposed legislation while institutional systems may oppose it. Victims’ advocates are favoring the Markey bill, which includes this window. The Catholic church and some groups representing yeshiva institutions favor the Lopez bill, which extends the statute but has no window. It is noted that Assemblyman Dov Hikind would like to work on a compromise position. Several victims who have spoken publicly of their ordeals, along with a victim advocacy group, have been prominent in pushing for the passage of the window. This advocacy is important and well intentioned. But to express it in a way that if you’re not in support of the window you’re not supporting victims of sexual abuse is misguided, as it undermines our communities’ ability to have an open, honest discussion about child abuse. The passage of such a window provision in California is often cited as a case in point by both sides, those in favor and opposed. In that instance, the legislation led to the disclosure and reporting of several hundred pedophiles in California. This was important and no doubt led to untold hundreds (and thousands) of potential victims not being molested. It also led to hundreds of lawsuits, most notably against the Catholic church, which eventually cost them hundreds of millions in settlements. It is this issue of potential lawsuits that is pitting institutions against victims’ advocates. On all other issues, there is general agreement. In a now infamous phrase, former President George W. Bush said to the world, concerning Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups, that “you’re either with us or against us.” But even he came to appreciate it was more complicated than drawing a line in the sand. People can at times be supportive of a position, but when asked to give their “all or nothing,” many defer. It is not a good way to negotiate. For this reason, Assemblyman Dov Hikind is correct in seeking a compromise. I offer the following suggestions that may be incorporated and serve the best interests of all: 1) Victims of child molestation have consistently stated they want the perpetrator to be accountable, to take responsibility and acknowledge his actions. Victims want the world to know it was the perpetrators’ fault, not their own. Victims have expressed this as an important aspect of enabling them to move on with their lives. They generally don’t speak of revenge, but of goodness and responsibility. Open a one-year window for perpetrators to disclose their acts that were committed and that exceed the criminal statute of limitations. Provide them amnesty from future civil suits. The gain here is to identify as yet unknown perpetrators and place them under a watchful eye, with required risk assessment, treatment, and some form of probation and monitoring. Those perpetrators who do not come forward would be subject to (potential) future civil claims—stated another way, a window. 2) Institutions (churches, day schools, yeshivas) are understandably concerned they will be inundated with lawsuits. The Catholic church’s exposure in California and Boston forced them to sell property and likely close some schools. Schools may be sued for acts committed by their staff that they may have been completely unaware of. That of course is not a consolation to the victim, who may understandably seek recourse. Nevertheless, the school’s financial liability may be great. If a school is found liable in even one lawsuit requiring them to pay a sum in the millions that exceeds their liability insurance, they may be forced into bankruptcy. How can a school protect itself in an insurance claim from 25 years ago or more, when insurance coverage may have been wholly different? How does that serve the best interests of their student body, parents, and community? In the end, who wins and who loses? Instead of allowing unlimited lawsuits, we can limit them to reasonable amounts. We can cap the lawsuits, for example, not to exceed a $500,000 payout, and cap the contingency fee by attorneys to 10 percent. There is a tendency by attorneys to throw out a huge number in a lawsuit, in the tens or hundreds of millions. This is what is creating a backlash against the window provision. 3) Insurance companies have generally stayed on the sidelines, not wanting to be involved in any aspect. They need to be brought in, even as unwilling partners. Many victims avoid treatment, fearing they will get a diagnosis on their insurance that will “label” them and further their stigmatization. This is true of offenders, as well; hence they may avoid seeking treatment. Further, insurance companies have in the main refused to provide coverage for treatment of sexual abuse. This is similar to the insurance industry a decade ago choosing to significantly raise liability premiums for physicians, thus effectively reducing the number of ob/gyn, anesthesiologists, and other specialists. Victims’ advocates should lobby the insurance industry to provide coverage, thus broadening the entry of professionals into this complex field of work. The lack of insurance coverage prevents many victims from obtaining good treatment. Aside from the 40 million uninsured Americans, countless people with insurance have only limited mental-health coverage. Treatment for victims of sexual abuse often requires the services of clinical professionals with specialized training and may last one or several years. Evaluation and treatment of pedophiles also requires highly specialized work and generally lasts two to three years. Inadequate insurance coverage is a serious obstacle to properly supervising child molesters who want help and thereby protecting the public. Victims’ advocates should place this in their sights. This is a critical issue, and success can be had. Advocates for infertility treatment successfully lobbied two years ago to require the insurance industry to include payment for fertility treatment. These often cost $10,000–$20,000 per course of treatment. It is common for many couples to go through multiple treatment cycles over several years. 4) Through our work over many decades at Ohel with victims, and in consultations with community groups throughout the country, the issue of a victims’ fund arises. Compensation funds exist in many local governments for crime victims. This should be expanded to include victims of sexual abuse. Such compensation would further encourage victims who come forward and offer concrete validation for their pain and suffering. Two victims now in their forties have repeatedly stated to me this is their primary interest. They, as many others, will not speak out, because of their personal shame and privacy. A victims’ fund needs to be established especially for those lacking insurance, as well as others who do not want these diagnostic categories listed in their insurance history. With an air of compromise and deliberations, it is possible that some institutional groups would consider establishing such a fund and to initiate a process of reconciliation between victims and institutions. Our work at Ohel has brought us into contact with significant numbers of victims of sexual abuse, as well as perpetrators. This is one of the most complex areas of work in the field of mental health. In the last ten years, OHEL has conducted numerous seminars in communities throughout the country on prevention and response to sexual abuse. Invariably, at every such gathering at least one individual would privately disclose their experience as a victim some ten, twenty, even thirty years earlier or more. It is fair to say that sexual abuse ranks very high on the list of secrets and memories not forgotten. Many victims have said that by listening to tapes by prominent rabbanim and community leaders speaking out on this issue and by attending such seminars they have been empowered. There are few issues in life that are black and white, even though we would like them to be. Many more are the shades of gray. These suggestions could move our system another step toward protecting our children, providing victims with renewed strength and support, and putting perpetrators on notice that with every passing day we will shut them down. David Mandel is chief executive officer of OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services in New York City. He can be contacted at dm@ohelfamily.org. Dear Ms. Markey: The Rabbinical Council of America represents more than 1,000 modern and centrist orthodox rabbis. We are the rabbinic arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. We support Bill No. A.02596, sponsored by you, which would extend the civil and criminal statutes of limitations for sex abuse victims. Child sex abuse is a horrendous crime. Victims often bear the scars for entire lifetimes. They are at higher risk for clinical depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Many victims are overcome by feelings of confusion, shame, and embarrassment. As children and teens, they are psychologically and emotionally unable to deal with the court system. Only later, as adults, and often with therapy, do they feel comfortable in working with the judicial system. Unfortunately, arbitrary statutes of limitations stand in their way. Jewish law and tradition recognize the need for our justice system to protect the most vulnerable among us. Lowering the statute of limitations bar for child sex abuse victims would serve that purpose. Sexual predators are often recidivists and need to be incarcerated, and classified as convicted sex offenders, in order to assure public safety. Sex abuse victims deserve to be fairly compensated for their grievous injuries. Your bill will assure these laudatory goals. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Basil Herring Executive Vice-President Dear Mr. Weisenberg: The Rabbinical Council of America represents more than 1,000 modern and centrist orthodox rabbis. We are the rabbinic arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. We commend you for introducing Bill No. A.06656 on March 11, 2009, together with Assembly Member Dov Hikind and 20 additional co-sponsors. This Bill, if it becomes law, will legally mandate the fingerprinting and criminal history background checks of all prospective nonpublic school employees. The RCA is strongly committed to the safety of the approximately one-half million children who attend religious and private schools in New York State, including 100,000 yeshiva school children. In 2005 and 2007, at our annual Conventions, we enacted Resolutions endorsing background checks for all school employees. The Resolutions can be viewed on our web site. We strongly support passage of Bill No. A.06656. Fingerprinting and background checks are required for all public school employees. Nonpublic school children are entitled to the same legal protection. This bill is a critical first step towards assuring the safety of nonpublic school children. We look forward to working with you and your colleagues on additional legislation that will further enhance the security of religious and private school children. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Basil Herring Executive Vice-President