3 More Australia Abuse Victims Come Forward as Scandal Spreads
Three more people have alleged they were victims of child sexual abuse in Melbourne as the scandal that has embroiled the Jewish community since 2011 continues to deepen.
The three Jews – who have not been named – claimed they were abused at children’s homes run by a Jewish welfare organization in the 1960s.
Jewish Care Victoria – the major Jewish welfare organization in Melbourne – responded this week by establishing an independent inquiry to investigate the allegations.
Its president, Mike Debinski, said Jewish Care Victoria had a moral responsibility even though the organizations where the children were housed no longer existed.
“It is simply the right thing to do,” Debinski said in a statement. “We do not seek to sweep this issue under the carpet.”
Jewish Care has reported the allegations to police, he added.
Professor Louis Waller, a respected Jewish legal academic, had been appointed to head the inquiry, Debinski said.
“Our primary concern is for the welfare of anyone who may have experienced abuse,” he said. “We will investigate all claims and are offering services such as counseling, case management and support.”
The news comes as police in Sydney claimed that victims of sexual abuse may have been paid hush money to stay silent.
A report in Thursday’s Australian Jewish News quoted Ana Loughman, who is leading the investigation into child sexual abuse, saying: “We have information that people who may have been victimized may have entered into agreements for payment with other people not to disclose, report or come forward.”
Jewish Care Victoria is the latest organization to become embroiled in the scandal, following Chabad in Sydney and Melbourne, Adass Israel in Melbourne and Maccabi Victoria.
A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
