**6. References**

198 Sexual Abuse – Breaking the Silence

unfortunately, unused – to support a detailed federal inquiry into the child welfare system of any state that accepts federal money under this statute, as New York certainly does (Neustein & Lesher, 1999). Such an inquiry could, and should, include an examination into the proper oversight of agencies like Ohel. Has the agency complied with state reporting laws? Has it met government standards for maintaining the safety of foster children in its care? If not – and our research suggests it has not – federal funding should be terminated, a

There are also federal civil rights statutes that Ohel's officials may be found to have violated if they have knowingly suppressed the reporting of child sex abuse. For example, Section 241 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, provides that a conspiracy of two or more people "to . . . threaten, or intimidate any person in any State . . . in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States" is a federal crime. Since access to the court system is just such a "right or privilege," this means a concerted effort by Ohel officials to prevent a child abuse victim from pursuing a criminal charge may justify federal prosecution. This point should be borne firmly in mind where

Because of Ohel's close relationship with secular authorities, it necessarily falls under additional regulatory authority. To some extent, therefore, the nature of Ohel's apparent

The first logical step would be a thorough investigation by the governments that have funded Ohel – those of New York City, New York State and the United States – to ensure that those funds have not been misappropriated. We have already discussed additional authority for such a probe under CAPTA. In any event, the misappropriation of government funds for an improper purpose (for example, the personal enrichment of an officer) would

Ohel's role in the non-reporting of suspected abuse to authorities might also implicate federal civil rights statutes, as discussed above. Even where there is no criminal violation, the facts unearthed by a federal investigation might support civil litigation by victims who

This chapter aims at offering some guidance to scholars, advocates and policy makers who grapple with problems similar to those posed by Ohel. Ohel does not stand alone. It is quite possible that other institutions serving other insular, fundamentalist religious sects also act

Analysis of Ohel is important for another reason. Given Ohel's central role in a closely knit and family-oriented Orthodox community, we must now consider and observe what happens when such an iconic institution comes under scrutiny for possibly violating

Finally, we have attempted this exploration of Ohel because we believe that what has happened at Ohel, under the auspices of religious authority ostensibly designed to protect

were wrongfully intimidated or pressured not to approach police for protection.

mandates related to child welfare and safety (not to mention confidentiality).

in violation of secular law and in violation of the public trust.

penalty that would almost certainly spur reform.

Ohel's acts are at issue.

wrongs suggests its own remedy.

probably involve a violation of law.

**4.2 Investigation** 

**5. Conclusion** 


**13** 

*Turkey* 

**Researching Sexual Abuse in Societies in** 

Sexual violence is defined as any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person's sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work (1). In many countries a substantial proportion of women experiencing physical violence also experience sexual abuse. The term intimate partner abuse refers to the physical, sexual, and/or psychologial abuse of an individual perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner. While this term is gender-neutral, women are more likely to experience physical injuries and incur psychological

Sexual abuse of women is commonly recognized as an important public health problem because of its attendant morbidity, mortality, and long-term impact on women's health

The features of societies determine women's responsibilities within those societies and represent the key to attitudes toward them. For example, the image of the child as representing the future of the community developed very early in Turkish society. Understanding of and sympathy towards motherhood and children are therefore among the factors that shaped Turkish traditions and customs (9). The elevated position ascribed to motherhood is even more apparent in the saying "*Paradise lies under [one's] mothers' feet*." However, there are other perspectives that also judge a woman's position in society. For instance, the traditional Turkish saying "you must always keep a rod to a woman's back and a child in her belly" expresses a way of thinking that regards physical or sexual abuse of

Ninety-nine percent of the population of Turkey is Muslim. Islam recognizes that both men and women have sexual drives and rights to sexual fulfillment and affirms heterosexual relations within marriage and lawful relationships. But explicit discussion of sexuality is

**1. Introduction** 

(3-8).

concequences of intimate partner abuse (2).

women as something quite natural.

**2. Social and women associated characteristics** 

**Which Sexuality Is Regarded as Taboo:** 

**Difficulties and Proposed Solutions** 

Murat Topbaş and Gamze Çan

*Department of Public Health, Trabzon* 

*Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine,* 

Mendelsohn, A. (2011). Wall of Silence: Sex Scandals in Religion, *Cogent/Benger Productions, Inc.* (May 16, 2011)


Neustein, A & Lesher, M. (2002a). Does the Jewish Community Sacrifice Victims of Sexual Abuse? *Jewish Exponent*, Vol. 211, No. 22 (May 30, 2002), p. (37)

