AUSTRALIA
The Age
February 5, 2015
Jane Lee
One of Australia’s most senior Orthodox rabbis says Jewish people have an obligation to report sexual abuse, and that the prohibition against informing against other Jews to secular authorities does not apply to child sexual abuse.
Rabbi Moshe Gutnick spoke out against the ultra Orthodox Chabad community’s treatment of victims and cover-up of past crimes at the royal commission into child sexual abuse on Wednesday.
“I believe it is an absolute religious obligation to report any allegations of child sexual abuse as quickly as possible to the appropriate authorities and to suggest there is some religious obligation not to do so is an abomination,” he said.
Victims of former Yeshivah Centre employees David Cyprys, Daniel Hayman and David Kramer have told the commission that senior rabbis have labelled them “mosars”, or informers, for breaching the prohibition of mersirah, which they said prevented other victims coming forward.
Rabbi Gutnick called the treatment – which has led to some, including Manny Waks and his father Zephaniah, feeling forced to leave Australia – a “tragedy”.
“I believe the cover-ups and bullying and intimidation that has gone on … represents the antithesis of the teachings of Chabad and Judaism and orthodoxy,” he said.
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