More Vic Jewish Home Abuse Claims Likely

By Charisse Ede
The Australian
November 14, 2013

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/claims-of-child-abuse-at-vic-jewish-homes/story-fn3dxiwe-1226759505448

MORE victims are expected to come forward with allegations of abuse at children's homes run by Victorian Jewish welfare organisations in the 1960s.

Jewish Care Victoria has set up an independent support scheme to investigate claims by three people that they were abused in residential care run by previous Jewish organisations.

Manny Waks, the founder of Jewish victims' support group Tzedek, believes more victims are likely to come forward following the allegations.

"At this stage, it has come to my attention that there is at least one other alleged victim in this case," he told AAP.

"I would assume that there would be additional victims in this case, whether or not they come forward at this stage is something that remains to be seen."

Jewish Care Victoria president Mike Debinski said they had referred the allegations to police and the victims would retain their right to pursue legal action.

Mr Debinski would not say how old the children were at the time of the alleged offences, or whether the claims were against more than one person.

He said they encouraged anyone who believed they may have experienced abuse in the care of these organisations to come forward.

"We do not seek to sweep this issue under the carpet," he said.

Mr Debinski said they would thoroughly assess all allegations and offer support through counselling and case management.

Mr Waks said Jewish Care had taken the right steps to give victims the opportunity to come forward in a confidential and sensitive manner.

He said a number of court cases involving members of the Jewish community, the establishment of his own organisation and the Victorian government's inquiry into child abuse had helped victims come forward.

"What has become very clear to us is that the ongoing public campaign is yielding the desired results," he said.

"Until not long ago, this was a taboo topic within the Jewish community in particular.

"It was very rarely discussed up until the last two years, whereas now it's being discussed around the Sabbath table on a regular basis, parents are finally talking to their children about it, schools are taking it much more seriously."