Stories about sexual violence and
rabbis behaving badly continue to make headlines. These incidents are
not restricted to the Jewish world; sexual violence and abuse of power
know no boundaries of faith. Yet Jewish communities are left with
questions begging to be answered: How do we react to these crimes? How
should we react?
But we must first ask: Why do these behaviors persist? Because we let them happen. Our community reinforces a culture of silence, and even when victims overcome it, we often blame the victims. If we want this to stop, it is time to look in the mirror.
http://www.thejewishweek.com/editorial-opinion/opinion/sacrificing-victims-altars-silence-and-power
But we must first ask: Why do these behaviors persist? Because we let them happen. Our community reinforces a culture of silence, and even when victims overcome it, we often blame the victims. If we want this to stop, it is time to look in the mirror.
http://www.thejewishweek.com/editorial-opinion/opinion/sacrificing-victims-altars-silence-and-power
