[RBS] Magen Statement in response to email on community list

[Magen]

There was a warning posting on a community email list last week, regarding
a spate of child molestation reports in RBS.

The intent of the writer is to warn the public and promote policies which
increase awareness and safety - which is indeed valid and should be
strongly encouraged.

The email mentioned that: "Being in contact with Magen, I was told that
there are over FORTY known child molesters in RBS and they are walking the
streets freely."

That particular sentence is somewhat innaccurate, and so Magen wishes to
clarify.

Magen is aware of nearly forty men in RBS against whom allegations have
been made of crimes against children. This is not to say these men have all
been formally charged, convicted or sentenced. Indeed, most are indeed
"walking the streets freely" - many due to the unwillingness of
victims/families to formally complain to the authorities, or due to lack of
evidence which would meet the standards of the criminal legal system.
Around fifteen cases resulted in arrests, and most of these suspects are
now within the system of the police/courts.

Due to many legal, halachik and practical issues, Magen is currently unable
and unwilling to publish a list of names of people suspected of child
abuse.

Furthermore, Magen believes this list would be misleading as it represents
just a small proportion of the total problem. In part this is because only
around one in ten child abuse victims reports to an adult who can take
appropriate action. So for every case we are aware of, there are
statistically another nine.

As the writer of the warning email points out, the main practical step we
can all take is to better educate ourselves and (without panic) our
children about child protection, and practical steps to increase safety and
to reduce the risks; unfortunately these risks exist in our shuls, schools,
streets, parks and even within our own homes.

For further information about the nature and extent of these risks in RBS,
we refer interested readers to a recent article:
http://magenprotects.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-much-child-abuse-in-ramat-beit.html
and an article in the Jewish Press:
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/new-group-combating-child-molestation-in-ultra-orthodox-enclave/2012/03/05/

If you would like to host an information evening/event about child
protection, such as for your shul, or simply for a group of friends, please
contact Magen. (Please note our new phone number).

Wishing you and all of our children a chag kasher, sameach, ve'batuach!

Take care,
Magen
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*"Magen" - Creating a Safer Community for Kids*

MagenProtects at gmail.com

Tel:    02-9999.*6*7*8*
Cell:   050-8489001

Blog: www.magenprotects.blogspot.com
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