AUSTRALIA
Manny Waks
4 May 2017
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.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.