A perpetrator whose name is currently being suppressed by the court and who was once employed by a major Jewish communal institution in Australia, pleaded guilty Friday morning to numerous charges of child sexual abuse perpetrated against multiple victims.
Tzedek writes:
Tzedek, Australia’s only dedicated advocacy group for Jewish victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, is delighted that a perpetrator who was employed by a major Jewish communal institution in Australia [Friday] morning pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to numerous charges of child sexual abuse perpetrated against multiple victims. A plea hearing is scheduled for 2 August 2013.
Due to a suppression order, we cannot share the perpetrator’s name or the name of the institution. We anticipate that aspects of the suppression order will be lifted in due course.
This is the second of three separate court cases involving child sexual abuse within the Victorian Jewish community where the perpetrator has pleaded guilty. David Kramer, a former teacher at Melbourne’s Yeshivah Centre, pleaded guilty on 12 April to numerous charges involving multiple victims. Kramer’s plea hearing is scheduled for 17 July. The third case involves David Cyprys, also from Yeshivah, who is facing 40 charges against 12 victims. Cyprys’ trial is due to commence on 29 July.
Manny Waks, founder and CEO of Tzedek stated:
“Today’s development is another important milestone for the Australian Jewish community. There are multiple cases currently before the courts and numerous investigations taking place in a number of States. Today’s guilty plea will hopefully embolden other victims and survivors to pursue justice.
It takes a great deal of courage and determination to pursue justice in these circumstances so hopefully today’s result will demonstrate that pursuing justice through the courts is a worthwhile option. We acknowledge the immense courage of all the victims in this case and we thank them profoundly for pursuing justice in the way they have.
I have spoken this morning with one of the victims who feels “overwhelmingly relieved” with the outcome of today’s hearing. She also said that she feels “vindicated” and that this entire process, despite its many challenges, has been “well worth it now that justice will finally be served”. We are now all looking forward to seeing the perpetrator receive a just sentence for his crimes.
No one needs to hide. No one needs to feel ashamed. No one needs to feel guilty. Except for the perpetrators and their enablers. The victims are never to blame. We will do everything within our power to ensure that all the perpetrators and their enablers within the Jewish community all held to full account.
We thank the community for the overwhelming support for Tzedek and for the many victims and survivors in pursuing justice for past crimes and to ensure the safety of our children into the future.
It’s great to see that the wheels of justice are finally turning.”
An additional hearing this morning at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, in regards to Donald Cornell who is facing multiple charges against one victim, was adjourned for the fourth time (due to medical issues). Cornell, who is not Jewish, is alleged to have committed the offences when he was a bus driver at the Adass Israel School in Melbourne. We acknowledge the immense courage of the complainant in this case and we hope to see the matter resolved as quickly as possible.
Update 6-9-2014 – The case against the Adass bus driver, Donald Cornell, has been dropped, and police were apparently ordered to pay Cornell's court costs. Cornell was allegedly beaten up sometime after being charged (perhaps by members of the Adass community, although this is not clear) and apparently suffered a brain injury that left him unable to stand trial, a source in Melbourne told FailedMessiah.com.