Orthodox helpline welcomes child abuse report - The Jewish Chronicle

An Orthodox helpline has welcomed last week’s publication of a report into child sexual abuse in religious organisations. Shema Koli said it was pleased to see the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse had followed key recommendations made by the helpline. All organisations should have robust child protection policies and those working with young people or in leadership positions should have appropriate training, Shema Koli said. The helpline told the inquiry that it had received 800 calls from April 2013 to December 2019. In a statement in response to the report, Shema Koli said the IICSA appreciated “the necessity of providing culturally appropriate training and recognised the important role that Shema Koli plays in providing appropriate training to Jewish religious organisations and schools.” It added that its work was “far from complete” and in light of the inquiry would be “working with key stakeholders to see how we can make our community safer for everyone. “As the primary anonymous helpline for victims of abuse in the Jewish community and leading provider of safeguarding training to Orthodox Jewish schools in England, Shema Koli will continue to work with all organisations and the whole community to provide essential support,” it said. The IICSA report recommended tightening safeguarding regulations by bringing institutions such as yeshivot which are not currently defined as schools under state scrutiny. But Shema Koli did not comment directly on this The inquiry has reserved judgment on some issues such as whether there should be mandatory reporting of suspected abuse by voluntary organisations to state agencies until its final report. Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies, said it would be "engaging with synagogue bodies, youth movements and other relevant organisations and will be responding to the report". She added, "We must all be unequivocal that any incident of child sexual abuse should be referred initially and without delay to the police and social services. The cost of not doing so is terrible suffering and broken lives. The protection of our children is paramount.”