קאווע שטיבל

A little while ago, we released a podcast series, No Joke with Mendy Pellin, and today I have an update:

My interview series was intended to educate the community by getting into the mind of a predator to explore how they think - and showing that they can look like your neighbor… All so we can be better equipped to prevent CSA and if, G-d forbid, it does take place, we know how to better respond. The series included feedback from veteran psychiatrist in the field of CSA, Dr. Michael Salamon and veteran CSA prevention educator, Pattie Fitzgerald.

Over the last decades, as society better understands the destructive impact and behaviour of predetors, the Orthodox Jewish community has become more aware and has become more proactive in dealing with child sexual abuse. I'm proud of how far we’ve come   but we still have room for progress.

Since releasing the series, we’ve heard from scores of parents who learned how to better understand the grooming process. And we’ve also heard from scores of survivors who courageously used the podcast as the impetus to begin their long journey to find healing. 

One of those survivors has been quietly grappling with her trauma for almost a decade and a half. She tried blocking out most of the abuse, but she was left with a few haunting, if vague, flashbacks. 

 When she came across my interview with Gershon - she started shaking uncontrollably. Her body never forgot. The pain was too great. The details described by Gershon lit a spark that brought back her traumatic memories. He was talking about her! It also gave her the courage, after all these years, to take action.

After processing what she saw she called me to express gratitude. She also let me know that she went to the police to press charges against her abuser: Gershon Selinger.

Today, Gershon Selinger was arrested and charged with additional child sexual abuse charges as a result of incriminating himself in his interview with me.

This story should serve as a lesson that if you abuse a child, there’s no escaping. It will catch up with you - one way or another. But there is hope for redemption. It’s not an easy path, but there is a path. If Gershon did the interview as part of making amends, I can imagine he was ready to accept the consequence of his crime.

But, most importantly, this story should serve as a lesson for survivors: believe in yourself! Trust your memory. And know that you can speak up even when it feels impossible. Gershon’s survivor bravely spoke up today in court - taking back her power. Survivors should always have the final say!