In a written apology, Rabbi
Moshe Gutnick says the issue has been handled inappropriately with a culture of covering up abuse. Gutnick asked victims of abuse for forgiveness and urged them to
come forward to ensure police can prosecute the perpetrators.
Rabbi Moshe Gutnick
ABC News Australia reports:
Australia's most senior [Chabad] orthodox rabbi, Moshe Gutnick, has formally apologised for child sexual abuse within the Jewish community.
In a written apology, he says the issue has been handled inappropriately with a culture of covering up abuse.
Rabbi Gutnick has asked victims of abuse for forgiveness and urged them to come forward to ensure police can prosecute the perpetrators.
Tzedek, a group advocating for Jewish victims of child sexual abuse, has welcomed the letter, describing it as a ground breaking milestone for the Jewish community.
The founder and CEO of Tzedek, Manny Waks, says an apology is an important step in the healing process for victims.
"I don't necessarily think that it is all of a sudden going to change overnight," he said.
"But it certainly does send out a very strong message that the peak body of the rabbinate and the orthodox community in Australia has taken an unequivocal position on this matter.
"It leaves no ambiguity on how they need to respond to this issue."