Rabbi Makes Apology after Jewish School Hid Child Sex Claims

By Shannon Deery
Herald Sun
February 12, 2015

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/rabbi-makes-apology-after-jewish-school-hid-child-sex-claims/story-fni0fit3-1227217841194

Rabbi Abraham Glick leaves the Melbourne County Court.

A FORMER Yeshivah College principal was told about child sex crimes being perpetrated by staff as early as 1991 but failed to act, it has been alleged.

While the school was under the leadership of Rabbi Abraham Glick, at least 10 students were molested by staff at the school between 1988 and 2007 by teacher David Kramer and security guard David Cyprys.

Before the royal commission into child sex abuse, Rabbi Glick on Thursday admitted the school covered up allegations, but denied any responsibility.

Cyprys had been allowed to continue working at the school despite pleading guilty to indecent assault in 1992. Kramer was moved to the US after complaints were made by parents in the early 1990s. Cyprys is in jail and Kramer has just been released from prison.

Rabbi Glick said that because of the way the school operated, his responsibility to be aware of such issues was “never spelt out”.

“I suppose at some level one could argue that, yes, as principal that was my responsibility,” he said. “If one understands the way Yeshivah actually operated it’s not so clear.”

Rabbi Glick said complaints were handled by former Yeshivah head Rabbi Dovid Groner, who was allegedly told of abuse as early as 1984.

“I can’t say why he didn’t tell me. I think most people would find that (truly incredible) but that’s the fact.

“I’m prepared to say that if he were alive today, I believe he would agree that that was a mistake. A big mistake.”

Rabbi Glick said Rabbi Groner told him about one complaint, when he was no longer principal in 2008.

He said Rabbi Groner had phoned him to ask if he’d heard of an allegation in 2008 following a meeting with a victim’s mother. But the commission heard the woman died in 1995 so the meeting, and phone call, must have taken place in the early 1990s.

Rabbi Glick admitted not telling police about the phone call when interviewed about child sex abuse in 2009.

Rabbi Glick rejected testimony by a victim, known only as AVR, that he spoke to him in the early 1990s to complain about being molested.

In his first apology to victims of abuse, Rabbi Glick said: “I feel sickened by it.”

“I have been pained in the knowledge that in my time as principal this occurred. I would like to apologise to the students,” he said.

Contact: shannon.deery@news.com.au