SAY 'NO' TO ASSEMBLYMAN VITO LOPEZ’S ATTEMPT TO SNEAK HIS PREVIOUSLY DEFEATED BILL NUMBER A.05708A THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY CODES COMMITTEE.
(The Unorthodox Jew) http://theunorthodoxjew.blogspot.com/2009/03/urgent-message-to-our-community.html
URGENT MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY!
PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR OUTRAGE AT ASSEMBLYMAN VITO LOPEZ’S ATTEMPT TO SNEAK HIS PREVIOUSLY DEFEATED BILL NUMBER A.05708A THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY CODES COMMITTEE.
OUR COMMUNITY IS IN SHOCK OVER SEXUAL ABUSE CASES NOW BEING MADE PUBLIC ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS. UNFORTUNATELY LAWS CURRENTLY ON THE BOOKS PROTECT CHILD MOLESTERS.
THANKFULLY, ASSEMBLYWOMAN MARGARET MARKEY HAS SPONSORED ASSEMBLY BILL NUMBER A2596. THE “CHILD VICTIMS’ ACT OF NEW YORK” WHICH OPENS UP A “WINDOW” TO ALLOW VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE TO EXPOSE THEIR ATTACKERS AND BRING THEM TO JUSTICE. THE MARKEY BILL PASSED A CRUCIAL VOTE IN THE ASSEMBLY CODES COMMITTEE ON MARCH 17, 2009. MARKEY’S BILL WILL BE UP FOR A VOTE BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY IN THE COMING WEEKS AND HAS THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF THE ASSEMBLY. IT IS EXPECTED TO PASS.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND A FEW ORTHODOX JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE BEEN PROTECTING PEDOPHILES FOR MANY DECADES, ARE DESPERATELY TRYING TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF MARKEY’S BILL. THEY HAVE PERSUADED ASSEMBLYMAN VITO LOPEZ TO SPONSOR A COMPETING BILL, THE “LOPEZ BILL,” WHICH PROTECTS PEDOPHILES AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR INNOCENT CHILDREN.
ASSEMBLYMAN VITO LOPEZ’S BILL A.05708A IS BEING VOTED ON IN THE ASSEMBLY CODES COMMITTEE, TODAY, ON MARCH 31, 2009 AT 11:00. VITO LOPEZ’S BILL PROTECTS PEDOPHILES AND MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO PASS
PLEASE CALL AND E-MAIL ALL OF THE ASSEMBLY CODES COMMITTEE MEMBERS LISTED BELOW AND TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE AN ORTHODOX JEW WHO OPPOSES ASSEMBLYMAN VITO LOPEZ’S BILL A.05708A AND THAT THEY MUST DO EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO BLOCK THE LOPEZ BILL NUMBER A.05708A AND MAKE SURE IT IS NOT PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE.
15 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME TODAY WILL HELP SAVE THE LIFE OF AN INNOCENT CHILD TOMORROW.
THE TIME TO ACT IS EARLY THIS MORNING. YOUR VOICE COUNTS MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE. EVERY SINGLE CALL AND E-MAIL COUNTS. PLEASE CALL AND E-MAIL AND ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO DO THE SAME.
Assembly Codes Committee Members
Joseph Lentol, Chairman
Albany Office: 518-455-4477
District Office: 718-383-7474
LentolJ@assembly.state.ny.us
Robin Schimminger
Albany Office: 518-455-4767
District Office: 716-873-2540
SchimmR@assembly.state.ny.us
Helene Weinstein
Albany Office: 518-455-5462
District Office: 718-648-4700
WeinstH@assembly.state.ny.us
James Brennan
Albany Office: 518-455-5377
District Office 1: 718-940-0641
District Office 2: 718-788-7221
BrennaJ@assembly.state.ny.us
Keith Wright
Albany Office: 518-455-4793
District Office: 212-866-5809
WrightK@assembly.state.ny.us
Mark Weprin
Albany Office: 518-455-5806
District Office: 718-428-7900
WeprinM@assembly.state.ny.us
Gary Pretlow
Albany Office: 518-455-5291
District Office 1: 914-375-0456
District Office 2: 914-667-0127
PretloJ@assembly.state.ny.us
Vivian Cook
Albany Office: 518-455-4203
District Office: 718-322-3975
CookV@assembly.state.ny.us
Steve Cymbrowitz
Albany Office: 518-455-5214
District Office: 718-743-4078
CymbroS@assembly.state.ny.us
Michele Titus
Albany Office: 518-455-5668
District Office: 718-327-1845
TitusM@assembly.state.ny.us
Danny O'Donnell
Albany Office: 518-455-5603
District Office: 212-866-3970
OdonnellD@assembly.state.ny.us
Chaarles Lavine
Albany Office: 518-455-5456
District Office: 516-676-0050
LavineC@assembly.state.ny.us
Nick Perry
Albany Office: 518-455-4166
District Office: 718-385-3336
PerryN@assembly.state.ny.us
Kenneth Zebrowski
Albany Office: 518-455-5735
District Office: 845-634-9791
ZebrowskiK@assembly.state.ny.us
David Townsend
Albany Office: 518-455-5334
District Office: 315-762-4383
TownseD@assembly.state.ny.us
Thomas Alfano
Albany Office: 518-455-4627
District Office: 516-437-5577
AlfanoT@assembly.state.ny.us
Dierdre Scozzafava
Albany Office: 518-455-5797
District Office: 315-287-2384
ScozzaD@assembly.state.ny.us
Philip Boyle
Albany Office: 518-455-4611
District Office: 631-647-9400
BoyleP@assembly.state.ny.us
George Amedore
Albany Office: 518-455-5197
District Office: 518-843-0227
AmedoreG@assembly.state.ny.us
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11 comments:
http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c36_a15313/News/New_York.html
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BREAKING: Revived Sex-Abuse Bill Could Be Headed To Assembly Floor
by Hella Winston
Special to the Jewish Week
Monday, March 30
In a surprise move, a bill that appeared to have died in the New York State Assembly Codes Committee has been revived, causing concern among survivors and advocates for victims of child sexual abuse, The Jewish Week has learned.
The bill, sponsored by Vito Lopez (D-Brooklyn), was initially filed on Feb. 19 as an alternative to legislation proposed by Margaret Markey (D-Queens), but did not make it out of the Assembly Codes Committee - something that must happen before a bill can be voted on by the full Assembly. It has been reintroduced, with several changes, and is set to be voted on Tuesday, March 31 by the Codes Committee.
The Markey Bill, which did make it out of the Codes
Committee earlier this month and will be scheduled for a floor vote, extends the civil and criminal statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse. And, most significantly, it creates a one-year window during which anyone can file civil actions, regardless of when the abuse took place.
The Lopez Bill also extends the statutes of limitations, though by fewer years, but notably contains no provision for a window.
According to advocates for victims of child sexual abuse, opening a one-year window in which currently time-barred claims can be brought is crucial. This, they say, is because it typically takes victims decades to come to terms with their abuse, let alone feel able to speak out about it publicly. Those who support a window note its role not only in providing some measure of justice to victims, but also in identifying previously unnamed sexual predators, who most likely would otherwise continue preying on children.
"The purpose of the Markey bill is to expose the pedophiles who have been out there and hiding," said Michael Dowd, an attorney who has successfully represented Catholic victims of child sexual abuse. "[The Lopez bill] just ignores the central problem. If you were going to have a bill that made any sense, you would have a bill that had a window. If you want to have it apply to public and private institutions, fine. But not to do anything about past sexual abuse is not doing anything to uncover pedophiles."
Groups that supported the Lopez bill in its first incarnation include the Catholic Conference, the Sephardic Community Federation and the United Jewish Organizations, a Williamsburg-based social services organization. While Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who has publicly championed the cause of sexual abuse victims since last summer, was a co-sponsor of Markey's bill, he was also a co-sponsor of the first Lopez Bill. In fact, Hikind recently told the Five Towns Jewish Star that he was opposed to the window provision in Markey's bill and is now a co-sponsor on the revamped Lopez bill. Hikind could not be reached for comment.
According to Marci Hamilton, professor of law at Cardozo Law School and author of "Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children," "The correct name for the new Lopez bill is 'The Hide the Predator Act.' Unlike the Markey bill, this bill does absolutely nothing to help New Yorkers identify the many secret child predators in New York, who have been benefiting from the short statutes of limitations for decades. With the Markey bill, we have a proven method of finding the predators in our midst. The Lopez bill gives them continuing cover to abuse our children."
All you Jews whatnot, are you going to call me or what? What are you waiting for, moshiach? Send me an e-mail too. C'mon this is important. Help save a child. Tell me why you think Lopez's bill is a sham...
ASSEMBLYMAN VITO LOPEZ’S BILL A.05708A IS BEING VOTED ON IN THE ASSEMBLY CODES COMMITTEE, TODAY, ON MARCH 31, 2009 AT 11:00. VITO LOPEZ’S BILL PROTECTS PEDOPHILES AND MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO PASS
PLEASE CALL AND E-MAIL ALL OF THE ASSEMBLY CODES COMMITTEE MEMBERS LISTED BELOW AND TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE AN ORTHODOX JEW WHO OPPOSES ASSEMBLYMAN VITO LOPEZ’S BILL A.05708A AND THAT THEY MUST DO EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO BLOCK THE LOPEZ BILL NUMBER A.05708A AND MAKE SURE IT IS NOT PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE.
15 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME TODAY WILL HELP SAVE THE LIFE OF AN INNOCENT CHILD TOMORROW.
THE TIME TO ACT IS EARLY THIS MORNING. YOUR VOICE COUNTS MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE. EVERY SINGLE CALL AND E-MAIL COUNTS. PLEASE CALL AND E-MAIL AND ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO DO THE SAME.
Assembly Codes Committee Members
Joseph Lentol, Chairman
Albany Office: 518-455-4477
District Office: 718-383-7474
LentolJ@assembly.state.ny.us
Ways To Protect Kids Against Sex Assault
By Jay Sorgi
The Daniel Acker case, one involving a former swim teacher who allegedly sexual assaulted children over a four-decade period, has brought the issue of child sexual assault into the forefront in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Certainly, such a subject can be challenging to talk about with your children, but Greenfield Deputy Inspector Bradley Wentlandt talked about what to do regarding the issue.
"The important thing for parents is that if an adult takes an unusual interest in your child, I would be suspicious," said Wentlandt.
"If you're letting your child go with that adult alone in places where they're not supervised, I would be doubly suspicious.
"Certainly have that discussion with your child about being open and honest about things that happen to them so you're not put in that situation."
Wentlandt talked about the fact that the stigma of being a victim, such as Acker's alleged victims from the 1970's and 80's, may have led to so many possible cases involving Acker not being reported until today.
"I think we can have some sense of solace in the fact that things have certainly come to the forefront more so in the last 20 years, and we're certainly doing a much better job with the children, educating them on sexual abuse and not letting other people touch them, telling a trusted adult when something happens that they're not comfortable with," said Wentlandt.
"We're certainly telling kids that at a much younger age. I have to believe that had some of these things happened today, maybe some of those kids would have come forward earlier."
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/03/prweb2283394.htm
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NY Assemblyman Lopez's Bill Harmful to Clergy Abuse Victims, Serves Direct Interest of NY Catholic Dioceses According to Abuse Attorney Irwin Zalkin
Abuse lawyer, Irwin Zalkin, describes the real effects of NY Assemblyman Vito Lopez's clergy abuse bill.
New York (PRWEB) March 31, 2009 -- Just yesterday evening news broke that New York Assemblyman Vito Lopez is at it again. Lopez recently failed to derail Assemblywoman Margaret Markey's four year effort to get a Child Protection Bill passed when his competing Bill was defeated in the NY State Assembly Codes Committee earlier this month. Now he's back with a "new and improved" version.
"Assemblyman Lopez's bill harms clergy abuse victims and directly serves the interests of the Catholic Dioceses of New York," explained Irwin Zalkin, a leading sexual abuse attorney who has negotiated more than $200 million in clergy abuse settlements nationwide. "Lopez's bill runs counter to the interest of protecting children. What the bill really does is protect the Catholic Dioceses of New York from the truth coming out about the decades of abuse of children they allowed to happen."
The Lopez Bill differs from Markey's Bill (AB2596), which has already been approved by the NY Assembly Codes Committee, in that it will not allow victims whose claims are barred by the current New York Statute of Limitations from having an opportunity to come forward. The Lopez proposal is meant to distract from the importance of AB2596 and to further a public relations campaign by the Catholic Church that suggests that these revival statutes are targeted against them. However, AB2596 is facially neutral and does not include or exclude any particular institutions.
The consequence of statutes of limitations that provide for a very brief period to file a lawsuit after the last touching or from the age of majority insulate the perpetrators and/or the institutions who protected them from bearing the costs of that harm. As a result the taxpayers - through their local and state governments have to carry the financial load for the cost of care of many victims who end up needing local or state funded medical care and unemployment or disability benefits. Revival legislation, like the one year window in Markey's Bill, is intended to allow victims whose claims were previously barred by the statute of limitations a short window to bring a lawsuit against institutions that should bear the costs of that harm, and shifts that burden back to where it belongs.
"Lopez's bill only furthers the Catholic Church's public relations mantra that the revival legislation is targeted against the Church," said Zalkin. "The reality is that A2596 is legislation targeted against all institutions that are, or should be, responsible for the economic burden that has cost local governments, state governments -- and through them the tax payers -- billions of dollars. Up to now, these institutions, including the Catholic Church, have been allowed to escape accountability and economic responsibility."
With offices in New York and San Diego, The Zalkin Law Firm (www.nyclergyabuse.com) is one of the premier sexual abuse and personal injury law firms in the country. The firm's lawyers have achieved groundbreaking results in numerous high-profile clergy abuse cases across the United States.
Mr. Zalkin is available to speak to the media about Vito Lopez' Bill, clergy sexual abuse, and the Child Victim's Act of New York. Please call Lisa Maynes (212-889-1300) to arrange interviews. To speak to Mr. Zalkin about legal representation, please call The Zalkin Law Firm (212-889-1300).
Yeshiva Sexual Abuse Attorney in New York
New York Yeshiva Sexual Abuse Lawyer
When you place your child in the care and instruction of a rabbi or teacher in a yeshiva, you never expect that your beloved child will suffer sexual abuse. Yeshivot across New York and the United States are supposed to be educational havens for Jewish and Jewish Orthodox children, not places of abuse, terror, manipulation and criminal sexual deviation.
If you, your child or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse in a Jewish yeshiva, you can get the help you need. No one should ever be allowed to remain unpunished when they have sexually abused a child - the loss of innocence and enjoyment of life could only be the beginning of a lifetime of fear, anger, shame and other emotional and physical aftereffects of sexual abuse. The Zalkin Law Firm is a legal group dedicated to providing support and representation to survivors of sexual abuse in the Jewish and Jewish Orthodox community.
New York Yeshiva Sexual Abuse Attorney
Like other areas in which children are under the absolute control and authority of adults, yeshivot ketanot can carry the risk of sexual abuse by rabbis, administrators, teachers and other employees or volunteers. As in any religious or secular institution or association in which children are left alone under the care of an adult or adults, sexual abuse can occur any time and in any form.
Unfortunately, many cases of sexual abuse in yeshivot go unreported. It is observable and known that sexual abuse survivors are often unable or unwilling to bring accusations against well-respected and established members of the Jewish or Jewish Orthodox community. Pedophiles and sexual abusers often use tactics such as manipulation, intimidation, threats, lies and other strategies to get their victims to remain silent about the abuse. Because of this, many survivors of abuse are unable to speak out until much, much later.
The New York yeshiva sexual abuse lawyers at the Zalkin Law Firm are very aware of the deep emotional and physical effects that sexual abuse can have on men, women, adolescents and children, no matter when that abuse occurred. Child sexual abuse such as touching, fondling, looking, exposing, inappropriate sexual "talks," sexual contact and other abusive activity is highly illegal and punishable by law in the United States. You do have legal recourse and you can do something about the situation.
Contact a New York Yeshiva Sexual Abuse Attorney at the Zalkin Law Firm today to discuss your abuse case.
http://www.nyclergyabuse.com/
Rabbi Moshe Gutnick did not do the honorable thing.
Mandel you big dufes putz face. Resign! You and others sweep under the rug and add insult to injury by blaming the victim.
According to Dr. Pelcovitz and Pinny Lipshitz - we must assume the Rabbonim are doing a fantastic job and give them the benefit of the doubt.
I like Pelcovitz but some of his recent comments in the Mishpacha article is way off base. Lipshitz's Yated shtik is old and downright misleading. His defense of the Rabbonim holds no water.
What we have seen and learned over the years is these so called "Rabbis" are the ones facilitating coverups of sexual abuse. No two ways about it.
The sad thing is that we can sugar coat a rotten apple and it still remains rotten.
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Editorial: Don't ignore abused kids' calls for help
The people who deal with the sexual abuse of children believe most of it goes unreported. They also believe it is rare for children to maliciously invent false accusations of sexual abuse to get someone in trouble.
That is why we must never ignore children when they tell us they are being abused...
newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-stabus0112605406mar31,0,5391302.story
Newsday.com
Child sex abuse bill approved in Assembly
March 31, 2009
ALBANY - A bill extending the statute of limitations on lawsuits over future allegations of child sex abuse was approved Tuesday by an Assembly committee.
In an 18-1 vote, the Codes Committee sent the legislation sponsored by Assemb. Vito Lopez (D-Brooklyn) to the Assembly floor for a vote, which could occur in a few weeks.
The Lopez bill rivals another from Assemb. Margaret M. Markey (D-Maspeth) that also extends the statute of limitations but more controversially establishes a special one-year window for abuse victims to file suit in civil court regardless how long ago the assault occurred.
Many abuse claims against Catholic priests were dismissed because they were made after the current time limit, which is five years after the accuser turns 18.
The Markey bill passed the committee nearly two weeks ago in an 11-8 vote while the Lopez bill failed.
Lopez then amended it to make employers and other third parties liable and waive the 90-day notice of claim requirement for suits against government workers.
"My bill treats public and private schools the same," he said.
Markey contends that her legislation does so as well. It passed the Assembly three times previously, only to die in the then Republican-controlled State Senate.
Still, the Catholic Church and others back Lopez's bill over Markey's. Gov. David A. Paterson also supports Lopez's.
-- JAMES T. MADORE
Benjamin Netanyahu, taking office as Israel's new leader Tuesday, promised to seek "full peace" with the Arab and Muslim world, but refused to utter the words the world was waiting to hear: "Palestinian state." The well-spoken, U.S.-educated hawk took pains to portray himself as a pragmatist, telling a packed parliament that Israel does not want to rule the Palestinians.
"Under the permanent status agreement, the Palestinians will have all the authority to rule themselves," Netanyahu said in comments that appeared to hark back to a decades-old notion that peace could be achieved through limited Palestinian autonomy.
His words drew a sharp reaction from Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. "I want to say to Mr. Netanyahu that the only way the Palestinians can rule themselves, by themselves, is through ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and establishing an independent Palestinian state," Erekat said.
Netanyahu's refusal to embrace the idea of Palestinian statehood could put him at odds with the Obama administration and much of the rest of the world. So could his decision to appoint ultranationalist politician Avigdor Lieberman as foreign minister.
In recent days, however, Netanyahu has moved to soften his image, welcoming the centrist Labor party into an otherwise markedly right-wing coalition and announcing that he supports peace talks with the Palestinians...
Posted: Wednesday, 01 April 2009 6:51AM
Officials to Combat Sex Abuse among Jewish in Brooklyn
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Brooklyn district attorney is expected to announce the creation of a team of prosecutors, counselors and religious leaders who will work to combat sexual abuse in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community.
Officials say that the district attorney's office is handling 19 cases in Borough Park, Williamsburg, Crown Heights and Flatbush.
Sex Crimes Bureau Chief Rhonnie Jaus says it's the most cases she's ever seen involving the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community.
The newly formed team will visit yeshivas and synagogues under the initiative that Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes is scheduled to announce on Wednesday.
His office also plans to open a hot line and host meetings with victims.
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