NEW YORK
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)
A blogger reports that a “hero’s welcome” is being given to a Hassidic man who was convicted of attempting to buy the silence of a victim of sexual abuse.
If this is true, it is utterly heart-breaking. And it will lead to, we sadly predict, even more child sex crimes and cover ups in religious communities. When wrongdoing is rewarded, wrongdoing will be repeated. And innocent children will suffer.
According to the Jerusalem Post, “Abraham Rubin, 50, a member of the Satmar hassidic (ultra-Orthodox) sect in Brooklyn, offered over half-a-million dollars to buy the silence of the unnamed victim. The minor’s testimony regarding repeated instances of sexual abuse helped secure the conviction of unlicensed therapist Nehemia Weberman.”
The blogger wrote that “Not only was (Rubin) welcomed with singing, dancing and a festive meal, he was also an honored guest in the home of his rebbe.”
Rubin clearly broke a secular law designed to help our justice system operate with integrity. Worse, he deliberately took steps to protect a child molester.
He should be shunned, not praised. Those who honor and welcome him are dishonoring child sex abuse victims and helping to ensure that there will be more child sex abuse victims. They should be ashamed of themselves.
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