Churban al Yisrael- no other words will do

New York Magazine has an article on sex abuse of children in yeshivos (link). It's heart-wrenching, just tragic and will hopefully lead to positive change and reparations. I'm with the people who would rather not discuss this issue, but only because it's unpleasant and painful, not because I believe it should be ignored. The discussions at DovBear and Canonist I & II are better places to deal with the details of the case and the legitimacy of anonymous allegations, but I thought of an angle which hasn't yet been mentioned and is consequential.

I truly think that a big reason for what the article calls ‘orthodoxy’s institutional cover-up of sexual abuse’ comes from the frum velt's lack of respect for science and its subset- medicine. The ultra-Orthodox are as concerned for their children’s safety as anyone else, if not more; the reason for this horrible mess is that the concern does not translate into an up-to-date understanding of what in fact constitutes a threat.

Pedophilia is not a yetzer hora, it's a psychiatric condition. Accusing a rabbi of sexual abuse of this kind is beyond the realm of lashon hora or defamation—it’s stating the fact that they are mentally ill and hence a threat to society. Pedophilia is such that no matter what the person's level of piety or observance, he will feel the urges (if he’s a tzaddik, he won't act on them or only in private without involving real children). Making ignorant statements like, 'he's a rebbi/ talmid chacham/ respectable Jew, so he can't possible have this problem' ignores mountains of evidence that proves that even the nicest people can be afflicted with the sickest disease, and being otherwise good doesn't make them any less liable or less dangerous.

Every community has sick individuals and that in no way reflects on the values of the community. Dismissing these allegations because they’re a “shanda” on the community is not only horribly insensitive to the victims, it is hurting the entire community by turning a psychiatric condition and criminal activity into an issue of religiosity. Judaism should stand irrespective of the people who practice it. Defending criminals who are mentally ill based on their religion is a perverted misuse of righteousness and does nothing but tarnish all that's good and true in Torah.

Pedophiles don't reflect badly on our community; it's the leader's refusal to acknowledge or deal with the problem that does! Isn't that obvious?

It also wouldn't be contrary to any Torah way of thinking to turn to the experts regarding these issues--as in, secular experts on abuse and psychopathology. A little research will tell you that pedophiles are typically drawn into jobs that involve constant contact with children. Considering that, would it be 'hepech daas Torah' to take the secular route and require psychological evaluation of all teacher and counselor applicants? If the Rebbi is a yisras shamayim in public areas of his life, that doesn’t guarantee that he does not pose a threat in private areas. Obviously the incidence is rare, but rare is still a formidable problem. We aren't scientologists who believe on principle that our religion overrides medicine, psychology and outside wisdom; so let’s incorporate the secular approach, which takes into account all these unpleasant but proven factors, into our educational model. We also should not be so wary of secular authorities getting involved in prosecuting the abusers. Clearly, a beis din does not have the capacity to pursue criminal charges. I can somewhat empathize with the difficulty involved in turning against colleagues and friends with such terrible charges, but that's not excuse for allowing the behavior to continue. Simply hand over the responsibility to secular authorities and let them conduct the investigation so that communal relations can remain intact while criminals are apprehended.

Ezzie also makes a great point:

These cover-ups do damage to innocents completely unrelated to the matter at hand: Every accusation of a cover-up is automatically believed, simply because they are so widely practiced. This results in innocent people being accused and having their lives destroyed by those with agendas against them or their families.

It's during times like these that strong leadership in the Jewish community is most sorely missed. If only there was a person of stature who could stand up and offer guidance, condolence, something that would reflect a true Torah opinion.