Reporting Concerns

Report the matter to the Local Authority Social Services department or Police (the telephone numbers for these will be in your local telephone directory or websites).

If your concern is regarding a congregational Rabbi or a member of staff within a Liberal Judaism community setting you should contact the community’s safeguarding officer directly. If you do not feel able to do so, please contact Liberal Judaism and we will support you to report your concern.

If your concern is regarding a Rabbi or member of staff who works directly or indirectly for Liberal Judaism, immediately inform the Liberal Judaism Safeguarding Officer/s.

Tell someone as soon as possible. What you say will be taken seriously. You can choose to whom you talk. You can either contact the local Police, the Local Authority Social Services child or adult protection team in your area (the telephone numbers for these will be in your local telephone directory or websites) and/or the Liberal Judaism or LJY-Netzer Safeguarding Officers.

It is the policy of Liberal Judaism to inform statutory authorities (Police and Local Authority Social Services) that abuse has been alleged, if there is a risk that others may continue to be at risk of abuse or to make sure that past abuse is properly dealt with.

Understandably, many people find it difficult to tell anyone about the abuse they have suffered. It may be many years after the event before a disclosure is made. Even if the abuse occurred many years ago, Liberal Judaism will still act. Tell someone about the abuse. You will be listened to and what you have to say will be taken seriously.

You can choose to whom you talk. You can contact the local Police or the Local Authority Social Services child or adult protection team (the telephone numbers for these will be in your local telephone directory or websites) and/or the Liberal Judaism or LJY-Netzer Safeguarding Officers.

It is the policy of Liberal Judaism to inform statutory authorities (Police and Local Authority Social Services) that abuse has been alleged, if there is a risk that others may continue to be at risk of abuse or to make sure that past abuse is properly dealt with.

It is the policy of Liberal Judaism to ensure that all allegations of abuse are referred immediately to the Police and Local Authority Social Services departments (statutory authorities). We do this in the interests of vulnerable persons and to make sure that all information available is shared with those with the legal and professional responsibilities to investigate.

In cases where the statutory authorities decide that they will not, or cannot investigate, but concerns remain about the safety of children or adults at risk of abuse or neglect, enquiries will be made by those with responsibility for safeguarding within Liberal Judaism.

In all cases, the safety and welfare of the child/ren or adult/s at risk of abuse is the first consideration. Where allegations of abuse are made, Liberal Judaism, where possible, will suspend the person accused from the role that brings them into contact with children, young people and adults at risk of abuse, while investigations or enquiries are going on. These are neutral actions to ensure that cases can be investigated dispassionately and to protect all parties involved.

Liberal Judaism will treat all information connected with a safeguarding matter as confidential between the agencies working together to protect children, young people and adults at risk of abuse. In very broad terms, information will be shared with the relevant authorities where there is a concern that a person may be suffering harm or in order to prevent another person suffering harm.

If the person who has suffered abuse does not want to tell, or cannot tell the Police or Local Authority Social Services him/herself, Liberal Judaism will do so if there is a chance that others may continue to be at risk of abuse.

An alleged abuser does not have an automatic right to access information that is held about him or her. Liberal Judaism will not automatically let an alleged abuser know who has made allegations about them. However if a complaint is raised against a member of the Liberal Judaism staff under disciplinary procedures victim and/or survivors name will be shared, but not their contact details. This is to ensure that the disciplinary process is conducted in a fair manner.

All concerns and allegations are taken seriously by Liberal Judaism, regardless to whom they relate to. The precise circumstances differ from case to case, but the following information gives an indication of what happens when an allegation is made:

• Information about the alleged abuse is shared with the Police and Local Authority Social Services as they have a statutory responsibility to investigate.
• After consultation with the Police and Local Authority Social Services, if the person accused of abuse is a rabbi, paid worker or volunteer, that person will, where possible, be suspended from the role that brings them into contact with children, young people and adults at risk of abuse. It is important to acknowledge that these are neutral actions. They are precautionary to ensure that cases can be investigated dispassionately and to protect all parties involved. The final decisions are made following the completion of enquiries. It is possible that someone accused of abuse may be re-instated, depending on the circumstances of the case, once the matter is concluded.
• Enquiries will be made to find out if there is evidence to support the allegation. Sometimes people accused of abuse are arrested and after full investigations, some may be prosecuted.
• Liberal Judaism supports all its members and considers what support a person accused of abuse may need.
• In seeking to meet the support needs of people accused of abuse, Liberal Judaism will strive to minimise risks to others. Liberal Judaism may use a written agreement to make clear what conditions and restrictions apply to the accused person (e.g. they may have to worship in a particular synagogue, avoidance of specific activities), as well as what support will be made.

Even if information about abuse within Liberal Judaism’s services relates to an accused person who is dead, Liberal Judaism will take this seriously and follow it up. It is still important for such information to be shared with the Police and Local Authority Social Services as it could be relevant to other enquiries.

When Liberal Judaism receives information that someone has abused a child, young person or adult, it will stop that person from working within Liberal Judaism and LJY-Netzer. In addition, they will not be allowed to be a member of the Liberal Judaism Rabbinic Conference and, therefore, will not be able to have a clergy position in any Liberal Judaism synagogue. Furthermore, Liberal Judaism will inform the leadership of its congregations to prevent the person from working within the wider Liberal Judaism community.

When someone applies for a job or volunteer position working with vulnerable groups, Liberal Judaism and/or LJY-Netzer will conduct appropriate criminal record checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service before a person can be appointed.