Child sex abuse: call for independent monitor
V THE UNITED Synagogue has backed the creation of an independent regulator for safeguarding as the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse concluded its hearings into religious organisations.
In his closing remarks, Alan Payne, representing the US at the inquiry, said the US considered “there would be a real benefit in having an independent regulatory body to set clear minimum safeguarding standards and to monitor adherence to those standards.”
The body would, he said, need to be independent and avoid placing “excessive administrative burden” on communities.
The idea of external regulation has divided Jewish organisations with some groups linked to the Charedi community wary of it.
But there were strong calls for independent oversight from Jewish groups that provide support to victims of child abuse.
Richard Scorer, representing London-based Migal Emunah as well as other faith groups, said, “We clearly need registration of religious activities and personnel… because, without it, meaningful regulation of any kind is clearly impossible.”
Urging an “entirely new model” of oversight, he said, “The current situation exposed in these hearings is a collective failure not just of religious organisations themselves, but of all the agencies charged with child safeguarding and, indeed, the law itself.”
Honza Cervenka, representing the Australian-based Kol V’Oz, similarly urged “external intervention and regulation”.
He said: “The ultra-Orthodox leadership cannot be trusted when it comes to addressing the issue of child sexual abuse within their community.”
But Paula Jefferson, the legal representative for the UOHC, said there were “many instance of successful cooperation” on safeguarding between secular organisations and the Union and other Charedi organisations.
The Union, she said, would also continue to support Interlink and Shema Koli, which had trained hundreds of community professionals and volunteers “to standards set by local children’s safeguarding boards”.
Speaking at the inquiry last week, executive member of Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations Rabbi Jehudah Baumgarten said he was “not sure” if the Union had a child protection policy.
Rabbi Baumgarten went on to suggest the UOHC might have one, although “it doesn’t really need one, because it does not deal directly with children”.
‘An entirely new model’ of oversight is required