Finally, rabbis themselves are beginning to articulate the unending pressures, conflicting expectations, and loneliness that they face. In these discussions, sexual abuse is brought up as a symptom of the malaise facing our spiritual leaders. These factors, as well as others, are all combining to raise the topic of rabbinic sexual misconduct on the agenda of the Jewish community. Fear of law-suits and bad publicity have dictated an atmosphere of hushed voices and outrage against those who dare to break ranks by speaking out. However, this conspiracy of silence does not serve our community well.
Silence allows the victim to become further victimized by the Jewish community.
No one wants to hear that a beloved clergy person has acted inappropriately. Other rabbis, either within the institution or outside, keep their distance and their mouths closed. And other institutional members usually shun, and begin blaming, the victim. This sense of isolation and denial can lead to some of the injured blaming themselves. Through the powerful tool of silence, we continue the pain and abuse of the victims.