If you are a rabbi, what words of wisdom would you want to give to survivors of sexual violence?
Survivors have such a difficult time finding a rabbi who will listen to them, and take the time to understand what a survivor of sexual violence is going through. If you are a rabbi and read this blog, please let us know you are out there. Let us know what you are thinking!
posted by Jewish Survivors at Sunday, January 23, 2005
4 Comments:
Unfortunately victims are presently accostumed to rabbis either refusing to believe them or explaining to them why the good of the community requires them to be quiet. It is first neccesary for rabbis to learn how to listen sympathetically to victims of abuse. Besides encouraging the survivor to get professional help to deal with the trauma, the rabbi needs to reassure the victim that she (he) is not guilty. If the abuser is a parent, then it should be pointed out that that child's self protection has priority over the mitzva of kibud av v'eim (honoring parents). The rabbi should be supportive and involved in the process of trying to eliminate abuse in the community even when the abuser is a fellow rabbi.
That's nice, but---where are the comments from rabbis?
Wonder how many days (weeks? months?) until some comment?
I posted the first comment and I am a rabbi. Since the question was addressed to rabbis I did not think it neccesary to mention that explicitly
thanks for your comment and letting us all know you are a rabbi. :-)
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