London: The abuse research shocked the community • view

The investigation broadcast last night (Wednesday) on British Channel 4 - caused much embarrassment in the charedi community in England.

The investigation, which lasted 40 minutes, revealed the method allegedly taken by local community leaders, including senior rabbis, in cases of child abuse. Among other things, evidence and experts were brought and analyzed the situation –in which factors in the community prefer to sweep the facts under the rug and not complain to the police.

The investigation began a year ago when researchers of the program from the community heard parents express great concern from a person, who served as a teacher at the school where their children attend. The parents claimed that the person is abusing children.



During the investigation the program research team was able to reach the 19 cases of abuse - none of which was reported to the police.

At the beginning of the story an Orthodox Rabbi from London participated, he chose not to reveal his identity to the cameras, but decided to go against the policies adopted by his fellow rabbis. He told the journalist of the ordeal of an ultra-Orthodox family who chose to complain to the police. The family suffered from rabbi's accusations against the father, his expulsion from the synagogue, spitting on the street - until finally they were forced to leave the city.

TV cameras of the British channel also penetrated into the heart of the Orthodox community. Moshe , an excharedi who lives in Stamford Hill, who was abused in his childhood, arrived - equipped with a hidden camera - to HagaonRabbi Moshe Chaim Ephraim Padwa, the senior figure among the rabbis of London, to hear his advice on the question that has been bothering him for a long time: "To complain to the police or not?".

"I think I know who you're talking about, and we are handling it. The man is under control," said Rabbi Padwato Moshe sitting in front of him. "It is mesira to discuss it with the police. You have to do everything so that it will not reach the police."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!