Tzedek receives government funding

By J-Wire Staff
J-Wire
March 9, 2014

http://www.jwire.com.au/news/tzedek-receives-government-funding/41023

Manny Waks

Kevin Andrews

Child sexual abuse advocacy group Tzedek is one of eleven organisations singled out by the government to receive a share of $4.9 million in funding.

Tzedek is Australia’s only dedicated organisation advocating for and supporting Jewish victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

Founder and CEO Manny Waks said:  ”Tzedek,  welcomes the Australian Government’s funding for its Royal Commission related activities. The Minister for Social Services, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, has today announced that the Australian Government is investing $4.9 million in specialist support programs for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. Tzedek can confirm that it is one of these 11 organisations, and that it has recently signed a three-year funding arrangement with the Government, which will expire at the end of June 2016.

“We are delighted with this Australian Government funding and are profoundly grateful for it. It will enable Tzedek to continue in our critical work in support of the Royal Commission.

The Royal Commission is a unique opportunity for the Jewish community to help uncover the injustices of the past for the sake of obtaining justice for the many victims and survivors, and to learn from these past mistakes to create a better and safer future for our community.

Tzedek will continue to raise awareness in the Jewish community regarding the Royal Commission in the hope of securing greater participation in the Royal Commission process by victims and survivors within Jewish institutions nationally, their families and others who may be in a position to assist the Royal Commission’s crucial work.

We again call upon anyone who has any information regarding child sexual abuse within any Jewish institution throughout Australia, especially victims and survivors and their families – irrespective of when the abuse occurred or is alleged to have occurred – to contact the Royal Commission and to provide whatever information they have. With our direct links to the Royal Commission, Tzedek is well-placed to assist in this process. We encourage anyone who does approach the Royal Commission to also contact Tzedek so that we have a broader understanding of what has been occurring within our community and are better placed to respond accordingly.

It is important to highlight that some of the many victims and survivors who have already participated in the Royal Commission process have reported that undertaking a private session with the Royal Commission has greatly assisted them in their healing process.

We reiterate that any information that is brought to our attention will be handled in strict confidence. Similarly, any information that is provided to the Royal Commission will be handled confidentially.

Tzedek is happy to assist and clarify any Royal Commission related enquiries.

This multi-year grant is a clear vote of confidence by the Australian Government in the work of Tzedek. We are honoured that we have been entrusted with the important task of assisting the Royal Commission in its crucial work, and we will continue to do all that we can to ensure that justice is achieved and that our community will be safer into the future.

We would like to note that this funding is only related to our Royal Commission related work. Tzedek still requires significant funding to support other aspects of our work, especially in the area of education. Importantly, none of the Royal Commission related funding may be used in the context of victims and survivors of non-institutional abuse. Sadly, we are aware of many such victims and survivors within our community, and they too require our support and assistance. As Tzedek is a national organisation, we must be in a strong position to assist all victims and survivors of child sexual abuse throughout Australia. We therefore urge the community to continue to support us financially so that we can continue to increase our crucial and unique work. We would like to profoundly thank all of those who are already supporting us, financially and otherwise. Those who wish to make a donation may do so through our website.”