An Orthodox Jewish centre in Melbourne has apologized for “historical wrongs” that might have occurred, more than a year after allegations were raised of abuse of children at Chabad Yeshivah College.
A statement posted to “friends” of the Yeshivah Centre said that children were entitled to protection and vigilance in eradicating abuse.
“If mistakes were made in the past, they must be dealt with and we must ensure, to the extent possible, that mistakes are not made, or do not continue to be made, in the way in which allegations of abuse are dealt with,” the statement said.
It ended, “We understand and appreciate that there are victims who feel aggrieved and we sincerely and unreservedly apologise for any historical wrongs that may have occurred.”
Manny Waks, a vice-president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry who last year identified himself as a victim of repeated molestation at Yeshivah College, said last night the apology was “an important milestone, but only a first step”.
“On behalf of some of the victims who were abused as a result of the actions and inactions of the Yeshivah Centre, I commend the current Yeshivah leadership in finally taking the moral position in apologising, unreservedly, to all of us, and for recognising the profound impact abuse has on children,” Mr Waks said in a statement.
“It has now been well over a year since this scandal has been in the public spotlight. Yeshivah's behaviour to date has been unacceptable — their attitude and actions have caused additional significant pain and suffering to the past victims and their families.
”The other past victims and I sought recognition of the ongoing and serious abuse we suffered from the very institution that we hold partly responsible for that abuse. Today's statement by the Yeshivah leadership is an acknowledgement of the abuse we suffered.“
Mr Waks told The Australian last night the Yeshivah Centre had treated him in a ”despicable“ way since the allegations were raised. He said while 12 alleged victims had taken their allegations to police, he believed that ”dozens" of children had been abused by several perpetrators.
Victoria Police launched an investigation last year into allegations of pedophile activities at Yeshivah College.
The Australian
A statement posted to “friends” of the Yeshivah Centre said that children were entitled to protection and vigilance in eradicating abuse.
“If mistakes were made in the past, they must be dealt with and we must ensure, to the extent possible, that mistakes are not made, or do not continue to be made, in the way in which allegations of abuse are dealt with,” the statement said.
It ended, “We understand and appreciate that there are victims who feel aggrieved and we sincerely and unreservedly apologise for any historical wrongs that may have occurred.”
Manny Waks, a vice-president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry who last year identified himself as a victim of repeated molestation at Yeshivah College, said last night the apology was “an important milestone, but only a first step”.
“On behalf of some of the victims who were abused as a result of the actions and inactions of the Yeshivah Centre, I commend the current Yeshivah leadership in finally taking the moral position in apologising, unreservedly, to all of us, and for recognising the profound impact abuse has on children,” Mr Waks said in a statement.
“It has now been well over a year since this scandal has been in the public spotlight. Yeshivah's behaviour to date has been unacceptable — their attitude and actions have caused additional significant pain and suffering to the past victims and their families.
”The other past victims and I sought recognition of the ongoing and serious abuse we suffered from the very institution that we hold partly responsible for that abuse. Today's statement by the Yeshivah leadership is an acknowledgement of the abuse we suffered.“
Mr Waks told The Australian last night the Yeshivah Centre had treated him in a ”despicable“ way since the allegations were raised. He said while 12 alleged victims had taken their allegations to police, he believed that ”dozens" of children had been abused by several perpetrators.
Victoria Police launched an investigation last year into allegations of pedophile activities at Yeshivah College.
The Australian
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