Vicki Polin Speaks at the 2006 SNAP Conference
From: Vicki Polin at The Awareness Center
I spoke at the SNAP conference yesterday (Sunday, July 23, 2006) that was held in Jersey City, NJ. There were around 200 people present.
I basically spoke about the fact that sexual abuse has absolutely nothing to do with religion and that it's all about power and control. I let them know about some unscientific statistics compiled by one of The Awareness Center's volunteers, who compared the number of Catholics in the US to the number of cases of clergy abuse in Catholic community, to the number of Jews in the US to the number of cases of clergy abuse we have. The statistics came out almost exactly the same.
During my presentation I kept repeating the phrase that "pedophillia has NO religion," and that it "takes a village to raise a sex offender." Another words we are all responsible for their actions and that we all NEED to be mandated to report when we SUSPECT a child is being abused and or neglected.
I was totally shocked when my presentation was over. Just about everyone in the room stood up and applaud.
Can you imagine if I gave that same presentation at a yeshiva or in any Torah observant community? How many conference participants would have stayed in the workshop, let alone clap?
posted by Jewish Survivors at Monday, July 24, 2006
13 Comments:
Thank you!
You go girl friend!
Vicki,
Thank you for all the work you do. You give me courage!
If pervese people use religion to hide behind, it is up to all of us to unmask them!
Thank you Vicki for what you are doing
It took many years for people to stand up and clap for Catholics too... so maybe there's hope in the Jewish communities as well..
Way to go Vicki!
No yeshiva deserves your presence. They love dumb and obedient, you don't fit that mold thank God.
All I can say is WOW!
Some rabbinic leaders are ignorant and some are arogant. Either way, they wont listen.
It seems like all they know how to do is ridicule and condemn.
From my life experiences I hate to say that I think our observant community systems are beyond repair.
The sincere torah jew will survive only if he chooses to live under a rock, without the influences and hypocrisy of the so-called organized orthodox communities and the negative influence of incompetent and corrupt rabbis.
I could guarantee that if anyone gave a presentation like that in a religious Jewish community, they would be excommunicated!
Vicki if you read this I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you!
Thank you vicki! You have made such a huge positive difference in so many lives! Don't give up on the frum community, we need you!
Congratulations, Vicki, on the great response to your speech. You more than deserved that standing ovation!
Vicky thank you for making a difference.
Sometimes I'm sad I am jewish.
I dont feel proud to be part of this nation.
I feel like I need to run away.
To find someone who would believe me.
I listened to the Rabbi's I didnt tell but how has that served me.
How did that protect others?
I'm tired tired tired of "it can't happen here"
I can't heal like this. Especially knowing other kids are being hurt.
Help!
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