Hayman: to be sentenced this month, by J-Wire Staff, J-Wire (May 15, 2014)

Sydney Yeshiva camp volunteer Daniel “Gug” Hayman has pleaded guilty to indecent assault by a person of authority on two male complainants and a charge of indecency against a female complaint has been dropped.

Rabbi Eli Feldman told J-Wire that he stands by the statement he made last November in which he said it was clear the Hayman was not a Yeshiva employee but a volunteer.

His full statement from last year: “Mr Daniel Hayman was arrested yesterday on charges of child sexual abuse allegations from more than 25 years ago.

Mr Hayman attended Yeshiva Synagogue to pray or for classes but was never an employee or teacher at the Yeshiva Centre. Any volunteer work that he offered Yeshiva did not include responsibility for children.

We would like to assure the community that Mr Hayman currently has no association with Yeshiva and has been disassociated from the Sydney Yeshiva Centre for more than a decade. He was instrumental in establishing the Tzemach Tzedek Synagogue which broke away from Yeshiva over ten years ago.

There have been media reports that Mr Hayman claims to have privately confessed child sex abuse crimes to Rabbi Pinchus Feldman 25 years ago.Rabbi Feldman does not have any recollection of such a confession.

Rabbi Feldman wishes to reiterate the following which he has publicly said on numerous occasions:

“To make my position absolutely clear, I endorse the unequivocal Rabbinical rulings encouraging any victims of abuse to report to the police and I will continue to support the efforts of law enforcement agencies in investigating and taking action to protect our community.”

Yeshiva unequivocally condemns any form of abuse, including child sexual abuse.

As part of a commitment to the highest standards of care for our pupils, our school Yeshiva College has comprehensive child protection policies in place. Those policies and procedures are constantly being reviewed and updated to ensure maximum safety and protection for our students.

As has been widely reported, in 2003 a case of child sexual abuse was promptly reported to the authorities by Yeshiva, and that has always been and continues to be the policy at Yeshiva.

We welcome investigations by the Police to uncover and prosecute against such crimes and are confident in the outstanding competence and professionalism of the Australian authorities to ensure the protection and welfare of citizens in our society.

Inquiries by Strike Force Bungo are continuing and anyone with information is urged to come forward.”

“We’re pleased with the progress being made with regards to the cases involving members of the Australian Jewish community. Over the past couple of years we have witnessed justice for so many victims who were abused within Jewish institutions in Victoria. Sadly, this is just the tip of the iceberg. However, we have now achieved another important milestone; the first child sexual abuse-related trial involving the Jewish community outside Victoria.

We commend the courageous complainants and their families for seeking justice. We’re pleased for the complainant whose allegation was proved in court. We understand the disappointment for the other two complainants and hope that this outcome won’t negatively impact them nor deter other alleged victims from coming forward. We hope that the overall progress made will encourage anyone with information about cases of child sexual abuse or cover-ups within our community to go to the police.

For those who are not yet ready to endure the judicial process, they may wish to consider sharing their experience with the Royal Commission where they will not be subjected to cross examination and other challenges but rather listened to in a dignified and positive manner. As a Royal Commission funded service provider, Tzedek stands ready to assist, support or advise as appropriate.

Despite the mixed messages emanating from some quarters within the Orthodox Rabbinate – whether in Australia or internationally, and whether publicly or privately – there is no prohibition in disclosing cases of child sexual abuse and cover-ups to external authorities, including the police. We commend the individual rabbis and organisations who have spoken out about this matter.

Sydney’s Yeshiva Centre should now clarify its position regarding what it knew in relation to the allegations against Mr Hayman and what precisely was his role at the Centre. Importantly, does the Yeshiva Centre stand by its statement that at no time during his volunteer roles at the Centre did Mr Hayman have a responsibility for children? We intend to raise these matters with the Royal Commission.

We would like to thank the police, prosecution and many others, not least the courageous victims themselves and in some cases their families, for pursuing justice – regardless of when the crimes or alleged crimes took place – and for ensuring the safety of our children. The time for silence is over; it is now time for accountability and justice. It is also a time to raise awareness and become educated on the issue of child sexual abuse, which will continue to be an area of increased emphasis for Tzedek.”