Sex Abuse Support in Orthodox Jewish Communities
Brooklyn is the First City to Organize a Hotline to Help Victims
Kol Tzedek, Hebrew for “Voice of Justice,” is a project that was set up in conjunction with people in the Orthodox Jewish community and Kings County’s District Attorney’s office. In an April 1, 2009 press release, District Attorney Charles Hynes was quoted as saying, “Sex crimes exist in every community and are always very difficult for victims to discuss. Because of the insular nature of Orthodox Jewish communities, many victims are reluctant to report crimes to secular authorities.”
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse in Brooklyn’s Hasidic enclaves has generally gone unreported. Jewish sexual abuse victims fear the shame of community backlash and condemnation for revealing secrets to secular authorities.
State Assemblyman, Dov Hikind, brought this issue to light on a radio show in 2008. The show prompted numerous listeners to come forward with their accounts of children being molested. ABC News reported that Hikind had as many as four people a day over a three month period approach him with secrets of sexual abuse crimes. Hikind believes this problem extends beyond Brooklyn into other insular communities across the U.S.
New York Daily News.com quoted a woman who said, "You are taught that rabbis have a higher power.” This woman helped police arrest a neighbor accused of molesting her 13-year-old daughter after her community heads urged her not to.
Project Kol Tzedek
The origins of this project go back to Dov Hikind’s radio show. DA Hynes and his staff partnered with community organizations such as the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services and Tikvah at Ohel, and the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services to get this project off the ground.
Jerry Schmetterer, Spokesman for Charles Hynes says, “This happened because many people in the community were supportive. This project has greatly helped in building relations.”
Project Kol Tzedek Confidential Hotline
This hotline is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm only, except holidays. The dedicated workers are culturally-sensitive social workers and legal staff at Kings County District Attorney’s Office. They reassure callers that:
- They will remain anonymous.
- They will speak with an Assistant District Attorney about their situation to address all concerns either on the phone or in person.
- They will go at their own pace and never will they be pressured to move ahead with a case.
- Counseling, referrals, advocacy, crisis intervention and other support services are available.
- When callers feel ready, they can meet with an Assistant District Attorney to make an official report in a private and comfortable setting.
Although this hotline was set up for residents in Brooklyn, the social workers at Project Kol Tzedek will assist other Jewish individuals regardless of where they live. These callers will be referred to services in their geographical area.
Project Kol Tzedek: 719-250-3000
If any Jewish individual has been abused and suffers from addictions, Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others has a directory with locations across the U.S., Canada, Australia, Brazil and Israel that will help.
Help break the silence. Support is only a phone call away.
Further Reading:
Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes
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JACS Toronto
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Help is a Phone Call Away
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