UNITED KINGDOM
The JC
By Rosa Doherty, January 13, 2016
A leading campaigner against child sex abuse in the Orthodox community has called on Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis to issue an apology “on behalf of the rabbinate” over historical abuse cases.
Manny Waks made the suggestion at a meeting with Rabbi Mirvis, to discuss his own global initiative to tackle the problem.
Mr Waks, who himself was abused while studying at a yeshivah in Melbourne, Australia, said: “One thing I suggested was he issue a public apology on behalf of the rabbinate. I’m not saying he should take responsibility personally but to acknowledge and accept there have been serious failures over the years.
“I think it would send a powerful message to victims.”
The campaigner says that in the past, there has been a culture of intimidation of victims and a lack of support for them to come forward to report abuse.
Mr Waks also asked Rabbi Mirvis to take on a formal role in his campaign.
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