Jewish Week, Hella Winston, Win More Awards For Abuse Coverage

"The Jewish Week’s coverage encouraged abuse victims to come forward and spurred mainstream media outlets into action. The judges praised the series for sending a message to ethnic media to be unafraid to air and take on problems in their own communities."

 

The Journalism Center on Children and Families awards Hella Winston and her Jewish Week editor for her haredi child sexual abuse coverage:

2012 Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism

[…]

HONORABLE MENTION: “Child Sexual Abuse in the Ultra-Orthodox Community,” The Jewish Week (New York), Hella Winston and Robert Goldblum (ed.)

“Abuse Case Tests Ohel’s Adherence to Reporting Policy”
“Tragedy in Borough Park Puts Shomrim Under Scrutiny”
“New York Ohel Campaign To Bolster Image Questioned”
“In Lakewood Abuse Cases, A Parallel Justice System”
“News of Abuse Arrests Hailed, Questioned”

The ultra-Orthodox Jewish community has a long history of handling problems like the sexual abuse of children internally without reporting or cooperating with law enforcement officials. Instead, suspects are subject to a process that involves rabbis, religious tribunals, social workers and community watchdogs. This shadow system ultimately denies justice to victims, casts out whistleblowers and enables perpetrators to continue endangering children. The Jewish Week’s coverage encouraged abuse victims to come forward and spurred mainstream media outlets into action. The judges praised the series for sending a message to ethnic media to be unafraid to air and take on problems in their own communities.

Comments

[Brian]

Kol Hakavod.

[Bas Melech]

Kol Hakavod. Keep up the excellent work.

[Barry]

Jewish Week, Hella Winston, Win More Awards For Abuse Coverage

What! Nothing for Shmarya! She probably works 9-5 in a comfortable office, mingles with the hobnobs while Shmarya is coped up in a room 6(7?) days a week for who knows how many hours a day scouring the internet for juicy tidbits, no matter how small and insignificant, on the lives of the haredim - alone in the middle of nowhere.

Simply not fair.

[Yerachmiel Lopin]

congratulations Hella.