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Melbourne's Yeshivah College Apologises for "Protecting" Teacher Jailed for Sexual Assault

The Australian
July 24, 2013

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/melbournes-yeshivah-college-accused-of-protecting-teacher-jailed-for-sexual-assault/story-e6frg6nf-1226684317855

David Kramer has been jailed on sex charges after being extradited from the United States. Source: Supplied

A MELBOURNE Jewish school has apologised for not telling police of allegations against a teacher jailed today for sexually assaulting schoolboys.

David Kramer, 53, was today sentenced to three years and four months in prison for groping four boys through their clothing between 1990 and 1992 while a teacher at Yeshivah College.

Angry parents accused Yeshivah College of protecting Kramer by sending him to Israel after it was alerted to allegations against him, and today demanded an apology.

Following today's sentencing, college principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler issued an “unreserved apology for any historical wrongs”.

“Yeshivah sincerely regrets and unreservedly apologises for not informing the police at the time the allegations arose,” he said in a statement. “If any allegations were to arise today, they would be immediately reported to the police and the relevant authorities.”

Kramer must serve a minimum of 18 months in prison, but could be free in three months with time already served.

Victorian County Court Judge Michael Bourke said Kramer had abused his position of trust.

“Your offending represents a serious and unforgivable betrayal of the children's trust and their regard for you,” he told Kramer.

“You exploited your authority and power over them.”

Kramer pleaded guilty to five charges of indecent assault and one count of an indecent act with a child.

He fondled the genitals of the four boys, asking one to stay behind after class and sitting him on his lap.

Judge Bourke said the angry parents of victims had approached Yeshiva in 1992 and the school responded by relocating Kramer to Israel.

He eventually returned to his native United States where he was jailed in 2008 for sexual offences against a child, before being extradited to Australia last year.

Victim advocate Manny Waks said justice had been done with Kramer's sentencing, but said the school had acted to protect Kramer.

“From the very beginning, all they did was support the perpetrator,” he said outside court.

“The Yeshivah Centre must today issue an unequivocal apology for the hurt and pain they have inflicted on the many victims.”

Rabbi Smukler said the college was “pleased” justice had been served and hoped the sentencing would give comfort and closure to victims and theitr families.

“We would like to reiterate once again our unreserved apology for any historical wrongs that have occurred,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 




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