Chaim Walder - One Year Later - Any Lessons?

[Moshe Green]

Its around one year after the end to a terrible story that shook us all up. Chaim Walder, a respected therapist, writer, and speaker committed suicide to escape the accusations of 10's of his victims which spanned over 20 years. His victims included children as well as married women. Some of these victims have already committed suicide while others struggle each day to overcome the trauma.

While we were all shocked (except those who perhaps still live in denial and insist on his innocence), have we done anything in the past year to grow from this episode? Are we just going to let it happen again and again and ask, "Wow, how did this happen?" or are we going to make changes, however small, to prevent this from happening to our community. [I understand that in the last 10-15 years there has been tons of progress and awareness, but I'm talking strictly as a response from the CW scandal.]

When the the story broke I went to the principal of the school my boys go to (Israeli Chareidi) and asked them what they are doing about prevention. "Oh, nothing", he said, "These things are only done by teachers who are addicted to pornography and none of our teachers have smartphones." I was not impressed.

Did anyone have similar experiences as mine or did they actually see things getting done and progress being made to prevent abuse in our community.

[gozalim]

It is possible that the progress and safeguards that have been introduced over the recent years might cover majority of what is needed,
But that line about smartphones is terrifying!
I would argue that story is part of what is wrong with our approach to internet issues
(a false sense of security from demonizing it as a "them" problem)

[AsherO]

When the the story broke I went to the principal of the school my boys go to (Israeli Chareidi) and asked them what they are doing about prevention. "Oh, nothing", he said, "These things are only done by teachers who are addicted to pornography and none of our teachers have smartphones." I was not impressed.

Sadly it’s specifically this kind ignorant environment/attitude where abusers flourish.

[JMHO]

I went to the principal of the school my boys go to (Israeli Chareidi) and asked them what they are doing about prevention. "Oh, nothing", he said, "These things are only done by teachers who are addicted to pornography and none of our teachers have smartphones." I was not impressed.

Did you switch schools or do you still allow your children to learn from such people?

[m65]

Did you switch schools or do you still allow your children to learn from such people?

u mean he should switch them to the schools where the teachers have smartphones and may be addicted to .....?
im sure his kids would be safer over there 

[aygart]

u mean he should switch them to the schools where the teachers have smartphones and may be addicted to .....?
im sure his kids would be safer over there 

There is another choice you know

[gozalim]

u mean he should switch them to the schools where the teachers have smartphones and may be addicted to .....?
im sure his kids would be safer over there 

actually they might be.
(there are other chinuch problems with those...)

[~King Lake~]

"Oh, nothing", he said, "These things are only done by teachers who are addicted to pornography and none of our teachers have smartphones.

Wrong on so many levels!
These type of principals are the ones who are part of the problem, and what does one's addiction to pornography have to do with a smartphone? it's a mental/physical misalignment (high levels of hormones) that these people have.

[CountValentine]

#1 - This happens all too often. Assume it is happening and you will have a better chance to spot it and stop it.

[AsherO]

#1 - This happens all too often. Assume it is happening and you will have a better chance to spot it and stop it.

And know what to actually look for, certainly not smartphones…