AUSTRALIA
The Australian
RACHEL BAXENDALE THE AUSTRALIAN NOVEMBER 15, 2013
THE umbrella organisation for Jewish welfare groups in Victoria has launched its own investigation and support scheme in response to new claims of child-sex abuse at Jewish children’s homes in the 1960s.
Jewish Care Victoria revealed yesterday it had been contacted in late September by three individuals alleging they had been abused in residential care.
The news came in the wake of the handing-down on Wednesday of the findings of the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other non-government organisations.
JCV president Mike Debinski said although his organisation understood it was not legally liable for the abuse, which occurred in children’s homes that no longer exist, the board of management felt a moral obligation to provide support to victims, given the history of previous Jewish community organisations that operated the homes.
“Our primary concern is for the welfare of anyone who may have experienced abuse,” he said. “We will assess all claims and are offering services such as counselling, case-management and support.”
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