Wednesday, February 25, 2009

CALL TO ACTION: NY Assemblyman Dov Hikind

CALL TO ACTION: NY Assemblyman Dov Hikind
The Brooklyn Paper - February 25, 2009

CALL TO ACTION: NY Assemblyman Dov Hikind
Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor" (Leviticus 19:16).

"Whoever who saves one soul of Israel, it is said about him that he/she has saved a whole world" (Sanhedrin 37A).

New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind is organization a solidarity rally in Borough Park (Brooklyn, NY) on Sunday, March 1st. Dov Hikind has a radio talk show in which he has been talking about sexual abuse in the Jewish orthodox world of Brooklyn. Because of this survivors, parents and other concerned citizens meet with him to discuss their cases and or concerns about alleged sex offenders living in their community.

Being a lawmaker in New York Dov Hikind is not a mandated reporter. Considering he is an orthodox Jew, someone who is supposed to be following the laws of Torah (the Jewish bible), a parent, and someone acting as an advocate for survivors he should be reporting cases to the New York Child Abuse Hot-line when he suspects a chld is at risk of harm. Unfortunately, Dov Hikind refuses to do this . . . which most likely leading to more unsuspecting children becoming victims of sex crimes.

I am asking that if anyone goes to this event to start protesting his refusal to protect children. If you find news media folks there bring this to their attention and let them know how you feel. As long as Dov Hikind refuses to report suspected cases of any form of child abuse and or neglect -- he is no friend of children or those who have already been sexually violated.

For more information on Halacha (Jewish Law) go to:
http://theawarenesscenter.org/legal.html

For more information on cases of child molestation in the Jewish community go to:
http://theawarenesscenter.org/clergyabuse.html

Sincerely,
Vicki Polin, MA, NCC, LCPC
Founder/CEO