Yeshiva College stands down teacher
Melbourne’s Yeshiva College has stood down former principal and current staff member Rabbi Avrom Glick following police questioning him in relation to sexual abuse incidents at the school in the 1970s…but his lawyers have refuted online news reports that he had been arrested.Melbourne’s “Herald Sun” has reported that Rabbi Glick has been stood down following allegations of sexually abusing a child in the school synagogue.
The tabloid also published a story its web site that Rabbi Glick had been arrested but J-Wire understands that this is totally untrue. A letter sent to the newspaper by lawyers acting for Rabbi Glick, has emphasised that Rabbi Glick has never been arrested. It states that “he voluntarily attended upon the police and made a voluntary statement in which he vehemently denied the allegations”.
Rabbi Avrom Glick
The lawyers have pointed out to the paper that these allegations were also made around one year ago, The police took no action. They also made mention that the complainant had “attended the Yeshiva School in company with his psychiatrist seeking Rabbi Glick’s help with educational issues and made no complaint against Rabbi Glick”.
In a prepared statement, Yeshiva principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler said: “Several weeks ago I wrote to the Yeshivah Community concerning rumours of an active police investigation into allegations of Child Abuse by a current member of Yeshivah College staff.
I was repeatedly reassured by Senior Police and, acting on their advice, I informed you that no such investigation was underway. I also informed you that our policies and procedures in relation to such matters dictated that any member of staff who became the subject of such an investigation would be stood down pending finalisation of the investigation and the determination of any charges that were laid as a result.
Late last week the College was informed that the Victoria Police SANO task force had commenced an investigation into allegations against Rabbi Avrohom Glick, former Principal and present Head of Jewish Studies of Yeshivah College High School. We understand that the allegations relate to alleged conduct in the 1970s. Notwithstanding that Rabbi Glick is a highly respected staff member and community figure, in accordance with our policy and procedure, he was immediately stood down from his position at Yeshivah.
Rabbi Glick has not attended the campus or had contact with the students since that time. We learned today that the Police have interviewed Rabbi Glick in relation to the allegations and he was released pending further enquiries with no charges laid. We will continue his suspension from duties and all contact with the students of the school until the outcome of the inquiry is known. The College’s action in standing down Rabbi Glick should not be seen as prejudging the outcome of the investigation and the College affirms that Rabbi Glick is fully entitled to the presumption of innocence accorded to him by Law.
Senior members of the SANO taskforce have commended Yeshivah on our preventative and safety measures and fully endorse the actions we have taken. They have reiterated their full confidence in our current policies and procedures to handle matters relating to Child Abuse and have expressed their appreciation for our active support in relation to their important work.
Yeshivah College recognises that the effects of abuse are profound and ongoing and that victims need the support and understanding of those around them to assist with their recovery. We have counselled and supported several victims of historical Child Abuse and we once again reach out with our offer of support to anyone who feels it may be of benefit to them.
For confidential support please email support@yeshivahcentre.org . We employ absolute best practice and prioritise child safety. Through training, we create a vigilant staff, empower our children, and partner with and increase awareness in our parent body. We also work closely with community agencies and the authorities in order to keep our children safe.
The College is and will continue to fully cooperate with the Police and work closely with them in relation to child protection matters.
A spokesperson for the Rabbinical Council of Victoria added: “In response to recent media coverage over allegations of sexual abuse by a local rabbi, the Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) takes this opportunity to once again reiterate its long held position that the police are the only address for accusations of this nature, and to urge anyone with any knowledge or suspicions of sexual abuse to inform the police.
The RCV has full confidence in Victoria’s judicial process, and trusts that this matter will be dealt with accordingly.”
Anyone who has information that may assist the Police are urged to contact Moorabbin SOCIT (Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Team) on 9556 6565 or the Police SANO Task Force on: sanotaskforce@police.vic.gov.au.
