Yeshiva Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Representing Yeshiva Sexual Abuse Survivors Nationwide

Religion offers us spiritual support and a sense of belonging, so many parents choose to have their children educated in academies that embrace religious life and learning. In the U.S., there are few examples of such a robust religious learning experience as the Yeshiva.

Yeshivas can be found in cities nationwide but are most notable in New York City, New Jersey, and other communities with large Orthodox populations.

While yeshivas offer students an immersive experience studying Jewish texts and tradition, they are often rigidly committed to religious studies, offer few secular courses, and give students limited opportunities to engage in other communities.

This in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing; however, it can create the type of deeply insulated society where sexual abuse thrives.

Are you ready to take the first step toward justice? Call The Zalkin Law Firm, LLP today at (800) 477-2989 or contact us online to meet with our Yeshiva sexual abuse attorneys!

What is Yeshiva?

A yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that studies traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and the Torah. Yeshivas can be found worldwide and play a central role in Orthodox Jewish communities. The education provided at yeshivas ranges from primary through advanced levels, often culminating in intensive, full-time Torah study for older students and young adults.

Sexual abuse in yeshivas or any educational and religious institution can become rampant due to a combination of factors:

• Insularity and Close-knit Communities: Yeshivas are often part of tightly-knit, insular communities where members have close relationships and significant influence over each other. This can create an environment where victims feel pressured to remain silent to protect the community's reputation.
• Authority and Power Dynamics: Teachers and rabbis in yeshivas hold significant authority and respect. This power dynamic can be exploited by abusers, making it difficult for victims to come forward.
• Lack of Oversight and Transparency: In some cases, yeshivas might not be subject to the same levels of external oversight as public institutions. This lack of accountability can allow abuse to go unchecked.
• Cultural and Religious Factors: Cultural norms and religious values emphasizing modesty, privacy, and the protection of communal reputation can discourage victims from speaking out. Additionally, there may be a reluctance to involve secular authorities in internal matters.
• Fear of Repercussions: Victims or their families might fear social ostracism, retaliation, or being disbelieved if they report abuse. The community's desire to avoid scandal can also lead to cover-ups.
• Insufficient Education on Abuse: There may be a lack of proper education and awareness about sexual abuse within the community, leading to misunderstandings about its nature and consequences.

Proven Experience in Religious Sexual Abuse Cases

The Zalkin Law Firm has represented thousands of abuse survivors across the country, including survivors who were sexually abused in yeshivas and other Jewish institutions.

We have a great deal of insight into these communities and know child sexual abuse is often far more common than followers, students, and the public are led to believe.

Our nationally recognized trial team has recovered millions in compensation for survivors in a range of religious sexual abuse cases. Examples of our results include:

• $10.5 million settlement in a multi-victim case against a religious group home
• $8 million settlement in a multi-victim case against religious leader and institution
• $1 million settlement against religious schools for sexual abuse that occurred over 20 years ago.
• $450,000 settlement for a 33-year-old male abused as a minor by a religious leader

In addition to helping parents and families step forward with claims against Yeshiva and affiliated institutions, our firm also represents adults who were sexually abused as children.

Thanks to new legislation, such as the New York Child Victims Act, many adult survivors have the right to pursue civil claims over childhood sexual abuse, even if the abuse occurred many years ago.

Our attorneys can help adult survivors determine whether they have grounds to pursue legal action based on the facts of their cases.

Understanding Sexual Abuse in Yeshivas and Orthodox Communities

Sexual abuse takes many forms, but when it occurs in a Yeshiva, survivors often face incredible pressure from religious leaders not to report abuse. For young children who know no other sense of community, this can be a profoundly troubling predicament and one that leads to considerable emotional and psychological suffering.

Unfortunately, there is a real problem with sexual abuse in Yeshivas, Orthodox communities, and other Jewish educational institutions. No matter what form abuse may take. However, Rosh Yeshiva, Mashgiach, Mashpia, Menahel, and other yeshiva officials are legally obligated to report abuse to law enforcement, investigate allegations, and take steps to prevent abuse and protect children.

How Can Survivors of Yeshiva Abuse Seek Justice and Hold Leaders Accountable?

When rabbis, religious leaders, and school personnel ignore allegations from students or work to cover them up willfully, they fail to uphold the legal duties they owe students and their families. Sometimes, they may endanger other students by not removing or reporting credibly accused offenders.

By stepping forward to share your story, you not only allow yourself to obtain the justice you deserve; you can play a significant role in preventing abuse from happening to others and ensuring your Yeshiva takes steps to improve its policies when it comes to any type of sexual abuse or misconduct claim.

What’s more, a civil lawsuit can also allow you to seek a financial recovery of your damages, which may include compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional and psychological anguish
• Medical or mental health expenses
• Future medical or mental health services
• Other economic and non-economic damages arising from abuse

Contact Our Yeshiva Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today

Taking action against a Yeshiva and religious leaders can seem daunting for students, former students, and families who fear being ostracized from their communities. However, it is that fear that allows so many students to be abused, so many wrongdoers to remain unpunished, and many yeshivas to perpetuate a cycle of abuse and cover-ups.

At The Zalkin Law Firm, our attorneys know it takes tremendous courage to speak up about childhood sexual abuse, especially in the context of abuse in Yeshivas and religious schools.

It is why we are passionate about providing real and personalized support to our clients and aggressively leverage our experience and resources to litigate their claims.

Contact our Yeshiva sexual abuse attorneys now for a confidential consultation. Let us help you hold those responsible accountable!