Another Arrest in Ramat Bet Shemesh on Child Sex Abuse Allegations
In the third such case in as many months, another anglo-saxon (English speaking) man has been arrested in Ramat Bet Shemesh Aleph under suspicion of child sex abuse.
This past Friday night, a 29 year old American tourist was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15 year old girl, and two teenage boys. According to Walla news-service, the man’s custody was extended in court yesterday (Tuesday), to enable the police to further investigate.
Beyond the published information, the man apparently is from Brooklyn , NY Ayalon Park
This arrest follows the arrest several weeks ago of a 60 yo English speaking man at his home on Nahal Dolev, who allegedly operated also in the area of Nahal Revivim. This man is alleged to have committed sex crimes against minors. The man was remanded in custody for about a week, before being transferred to house arrest.
In an earlier case, around Sukkot, an English speaking resident of Ramat Bet Shemesh was arrested under allegations of sexually abusing several minors. The man was placed under house arrest during the police investigation.
All three cases are now under active police investigation.
Other police investigations have been opened in the past few months against several other Bet Shemesh and Ramat Bet Shemesh residents, including residents of Givat Sharett, Nahal Lachish, Nahal Uria, Shvil Hagichon, Nahal Kishon and other locations, all on allegations of child abuse.
A convicted sex offender has also recently completed 2 years in prison for child sex abuse crimes, and has now returned to his home in Ramat Bet Shemesh.
Yet another Ramat Bet Shemesh resident, was convicted of sex abuse against children (incest), and is serving out a prison sentence.
Furthermore, a resident of Nahal Soreq, Ramat Bet Shemesh, has recently been found guilty in court on child abuse charges, and is now serving an 18 year sentence; this man is not expected to return to Ramat Bet Shemesh any time soon.
My Comment: There is a traditional attitude in all communities that "it can't happen here". This approach has been discredited time and again.
However, there is now the approach that, "Yes, of course it happens, even in the best of communities, but... "it can't happen in MY shul", "it can't happen on MY street", and "it can't happen in MY (extended) family".
In fact, the situation in the field is that, regretfully, a more realistic approach is "I must assume there is one in my shul", "I must assume there is one on my street" and "I must assume there is one in my (extended) family".
Because this is the reality. And every parent, and every child should be aware of the risks, and take appropriate and informed steps to better protect themselves and their families. The most effective defence, is awareness.
My Comment: There is a traditional attitude in all communities that "it can't happen here". This approach has been discredited time and again.
However, there is now the approach that, "Yes, of course it happens, even in the best of communities, but... "it can't happen in MY shul", "it can't happen on MY street", and "it can't happen in MY (extended) family".
In fact, the situation in the field is that, regretfully, a more realistic approach is "I must assume there is one in my shul", "I must assume there is one on my street" and "I must assume there is one in my (extended) family".
Because this is the reality. And every parent, and every child should be aware of the risks, and take appropriate and informed steps to better protect themselves and their families. The most effective defence, is awareness.
If you have any information which can assist the police with these or any other suspicions of child abuse, please call the Bet Shemesh police (9902222); you can also contact Magen, the new Child Protection Organization in Bet Shemesh/RBS, for information and practical advice about Child Abuse: MagenProtects@gmail.com.
It seems to me that this raised level of awarensss which you encourage will in and of itself, G-d willing save children from abusers.
ReplyDeletenice place this rbs, full of juicy hot kiddies
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apGcxfhZ01U
ReplyDeleteWe need more Rabbi's like Rav Moshe Soloveichik
I'm going to throw up. We need Megan's Law here. We have the right to know where convicted sexual offenders are so we can keep our kids away... why cant we publish details?
ReplyDeleteWhy dont you say their names? Or at least addresses or what shul they daven in? This way those that want to, can protect themselves.
ReplyDeleteRBS Resident: "Why don't you say their names?".
ReplyDeleteThis is a good question!
Indeed I have addressed this same question on this blog, such as recently... http://tzedek-tzedek.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-website-in-israel-names-names-of.html
In brief:
1. We work according to the need-to-know principle. This is according to piskei halacha we have received.
2. Focusing on the identities of specific individuals against whom allegations have been made, distracts from the overall need for the population to be much more aware of the risks out-there and to be vigilent.
Would you be able to email me privately about potential threats in my neighborhood? Is that an option that would work for you? Or I could call you?
ReplyDeleteI understand the need for more caution, overall. But a known potential threat seems to be something to be more cautious of