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Former Bialik College and Current Mount Scopus College Teacher Charged with Child Sexual Abuse Offences

Manny Waks
May 4, 2017

http://www.mannywaks.com/former-bialik-college-and-current-mount-scopus-college-teacher-charged-with-child-sexual-abuse-offences.html

The Australian Jewish News today broke the news that a former Bialik College and current Mount Scopus College teacher was arrested and charged with a range of non-contact child sexual abuse offences (producing and possessing child pornography).

I would like to applaud the schools for responding effectively and expeditiously to these serious allegations. In particular, after speaking with both principals, Bialik's Mr Jeremy Stowe-Lindner and Mt. Scopus' Rabbi James Kennard, it was heartening to hear of their respective school's immediate and ongoing response. It seems clear to me that both of these schools are handling this difficult matter appropriately. In particular, police and other stakeholders were immediately notified, support offered to their respective communities and more. I know that these schools will take this opportunity to review their policies and other matters to ensure best practice is maintained at all times. As we have repeatedly seen, there is always room for improvement, and I am sure that this will be treated as an opportunity for all schools to learn and to share for our mutual benefit.

It is also clear to me that we seemed to have learned from the mistakes of the past. Police and other stakeholders were immediately notified, support offered their respective community, and more. I know that these schools will take this opportunity to review their policies and other matters to ensure best practice is maintained at all times. As we have repeatedly seen, there is always room for improvement, and this is a perfect opportunity to learn, and hopefully share so we can all learn.

This is also an opportune time to remember that no segment of the community is immune from the scourge of child sexual abuse. We must all maintain vigilance in protecting our children, and supporting all those who have been impacted by it. We must ensure that all organisations who interact with children have appropriate policies and procedures in place, and that these are implemented. But we must also not leave all the work to our institutions; it is the responsibility of each and every one of us. If we are aware or suspect child sexual abuse of any nature has occurred or is occurring, whether in an institution or in a home, we must immediately report this information to the police.

The most critical component in ensuring the protection of children is the community culture. And there is no doubt that our community culture has changed markedly, and we can all be proud of that. Indeed, as will become evident, it is precisely this change in culture which played a pivotal role in this matter coming to light. As we have occasionally seen, there is still some way to go in terms of where we should be. We should therefore utilise this disturbing development as an opportunity to re-commit to this ongoing campaign to implement all the changes that are needed in our community for the protection of our children and for justice to occur.

Finally, I would like to note that these troubling public exposures are difficult for many in the community to comprehend. It is especially triggering to victims/survivors of child sexual abuse and their families. If this development is impacting anyone, please reach out to your networks and/or the relevant support services.

Bialik College letter

4 May 2017

Dear Parents, Staff and Alumni

We write to inform you that a former teacher of Bialik College, who has not worked at the College for some time, has been arrested by Victoria Police. The arrest is as a result of information recently uncovered by Bialik College that, amongst other materials, appears to relate to the time of the teacher’s employment at Bialik.

The material, containing files of inappropriate pornographic matter, was recovered by members of our ICT department from a portable hard-drive that had been locked away in storage since that time, until it was restored and audited last week.

Upon discovery of the material, we immediately notified Victoria Police, the Victorian Institute of Teaching and the teacher’s current employer. Based on Victoria Police’s directive, we are unfortunately unable to provide you with more information at this stage. However, Victoria Police has advised there are no contact offences alleged and no ongoing risk to students. The students taught by the teacher were in Middle and Senior Schools.

The College has a robust Child Protection Policy in place and takes its responsibility for the care and welfare of our students and those in the wider community extremely seriously. We have rigorous and regular screening, induction, staff training and monitoring systems in place. Notwithstanding, in this case, the teacher’s alleged actions appear so calculated and covert, that their fiduciary responsibility may have been breached. This is extremely disappointing and saddening.

Nevertheless, as a result of this incident, the College’s ongoing commitment to review its processes and practices has already led to some changes to the timing and regularity of auditing staff devices, including continued regular checks of College-purchased external hard drives used by staff.

All staff will continue to be vigilant in our dedication to child safety and will immediately invoke police involvement when anything warrants it. We encourage, support and expect every member of our community to do likewise. Should any person connected to the Bialik community feel the need to speak to someone at the College in this regard, please contact either of us, any member of the Senior Management Team or any of the School Psychologists. Years 6-12 students will be briefed in year levels about the contents of this letter in an age-appropriate way, so that if they have any concerns of any nature, or if they come across online or offline comments about the situation, they are fully supported.

Bialik College is cooperating fully with Victoria Police and the Victorian Institute of Teaching. We place a very high level of trust in our teachers, present and past, and we are deeply shocked and upset by this situation. We will endeavour to keep you updated of any progress in the investigation as soon as we are able to do so.

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

 

 




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