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Hi - I’m Aaron. I’m an experienced sexual abuse attorney licensed to practice law in Maryland. I actively help survivors of sexual abuse get the justice and compensation they deserve. My team and I are ready to help.
A long-awaited trial is set to begin in Maryland, where Rabbi Steven Krawatsky will face accusations of sexually abusing three young boys in Maryland at Camp Shoresh in 2014 and 2015. The case, which has deeply divided the Baltimore Orthodox Jewish community, will finally be heard by a jury after years of legal battles and delays.
Rabbi Krawatsky, once a beloved figure in Jewish education, was accused in 2015 of inappropriately touching an 8-year-old camper. Two additional 7-year-old boys later came forward with similar allegations, one claiming rape and another stating Krawatsky offered money for sexual contact.
Maryland Child Protective Services initially found two allegations "indicated" and one "unsubstantiated." However, these findings were later downgraded in exchange for Krawatsky dropping his appeal. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office declined to press charges in 2015.
When the accusations became public in 2018, Krawatsky was fired from his teaching position at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School and resigned from youth programming at Suburban Orthodox Toras Chaim synagogue.
Krawatsky filed a defamation lawsuit against the families of the alleged victims and a former journalist who warned the public about him. The families countersued with claims of assault, battery, and false imprisonment.
The case has created a rift in Baltimore's Orthodox community, with some rallying behind Krawatsky while others support the accusers. Child abuse watchdogs view this trial as a test of how the community handles such sensitive allegations.
Asher Lovy, head of Za'akah, an organization fighting child sex abuse in the Orthodox world, emphasized the trial's significance: "The outcome...will demonstrate to survivors in Baltimore whether they should feel empowered to come forward."
Aaron Blank, Esq., a child abuse attorney at Abuse Guardians, provided the following commentary: "This case highlights the complexities involved in child sexual abuse allegations, especially within close-knit religious communities. The long delay between the initial accusations and the trial is unfortunately common in such cases, often due to legal maneuvering and community pressures. It's crucial that all allegations of child abuse are thoroughly investigated and that victims feel supported in coming forward. At the same time, the accused have the right to due process. The jury will have the difficult task of weighing the evidence and determining the truth. Regardless of the outcome, this case underscores the need for better safeguards and reporting mechanisms in youth organizations and religious institutions to protect children from potential abuse."
Source:
https://forward.com/fast-forward/579915/steven-krawatsky-sex-abuse-trial/
