Rabbi in sex abuse probe 'had no boundaries with vulnerable women'
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| Chaim Halpern |
The rabbi at the centre of a police
investigation into an alleged historic sexual assault was accused of
having “no boundaries” when “vulnerable people” were sent to him for
advice, according to evidence given to an official government inquiry.
A witness statement to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual
Abuse said Rabbi Chaim Halpern, 64, made “women feel extremely
uncomfortable”.
Last week the Metropolitan Police told the JC that it had
launched an inquiry after an alleged abuse victim publicly accused Rabbi
Halpern of touching her inappropriately during a counselling session.
Now the JC can reveal that the rabbi was named in evidence to
the government inquiry in formal testimony from a Jewish charity, Migdal
Emunah, which provides support to sexual abuse victims.
The inquiry’s report, which was published by Parliament in
October, recommended the introduction of a new law making the reporting
of child sexual abuse mandatory.
Last week the JC reported how an alleged victim has made fresh claims against Rabbi Chaim Halpern.
The
Jewish charity’s then-chief executive, Yehudis Goldsobel, had told the
inquiry that many within the Orthodox community “don’t even entertain
the idea of reporting abuse to the police” and that allegations were
usually dealt with by rabbinical Beth Din hearings which did not allow
women or those under the age of 13 to give testimony.
Ms Goldsobel said: “Chaim Halpern has become something of an
expert at handling situations of sexual abuse and marriage/relationship
issues.”
She added: “It has been reported that he made women feel
extremely uncomfortable and he was accused of inappropriate sexual
conduct.
“It is vital to point out that some of these women did not have
the language to describe what was happening but they knew that he was
crossing multiple boundaries, particularly in a community where extreme
and absolute segregation of the sexes is universally enforced.”
In 2012, Rabbi Halpern was arrested on suspicion of sexual
assault and perverting the course of justice in connection with
allegations around a marital advice service he was involved in running.
The case was dropped after a nine-month probe.
In its statement to the child abuse inquiry, the charity added
that after the decision by the prosecution authorities to drop the
investigation against him, the rabbi was honoured at a major community
event.
The charity said: “Rabbi Halpern was honoured with a top table
seat… This event hosted thousands of men from across the Orthodox
community and completely disregards any criminal investigation or
allegations made against him.
“It also enforces a message of aligning with perpetrators, by default this continues to silence victims.”
In separate evidence, senior Crown Prosecution Service officials
told the inquiry that it faced particular hurdles bringing cases
involving the Charedi community where, it said, those reporting abuse to
the police were regarded a “Moiser” — an informant — and risked being
shunned, due to “centuries of persecution and unfairness… [which led to]
fear of those authorities’ response”.
Accusing the rabbi of being “sick and dangerous”, his alleged victim told the JC last week:
“Reb Chaim thinks that because he’s a rabbi, he can do whatever he wishes.”
The 21-year-old claimed he touched her “private parts”, and
added: “He tricked me into trusting him by acting charming, nice and
likeable, giving attention and compliments.
“He invests time into communication such as phone calls and emails, but it’s all just grooming.”
The strictly-Orthodox rabbi, who leads the Divrei Chaim
Synagogue in Golders Green, north London, denies the allegations and his
lawyer said he would co-operate with the police investigation.
Speaking to the JC this week, the rabbi’s lawyer dismissed the
testimony given to the inquiry about his client as “hearsay evidence”.
He said it concerned allegations that were fully investigated by
the police in 2013 and “no charges were brought against Rabbi Halpern”.