Support Victim-Survivors

Supporting victim-survivors is one of the most sacred steps in the work of safeguarding our children. Best Practice 7: Support Victim-Survivors fosters the intentional design of welcoming and supportive spaces for our entire community, including those who have experienced child maltreatment or other forms of abuse. Whether they are public about their personal histories or not, more than a quarter of the participants and leaders in our communities have experienced some form of child maltreatment. When we support and stand with victim-survivors, we send a clear message to everyone in the community. We are here for you. We will work together to create a safer community for our children. Children will learn that if they come forward with disclosures of maltreatment, they will be protected and our organizations will take action.

All too often, victim-survivors are doubted or left without the necessary Jewish communal support, leading to significant secondary trauma. In contrast, when victim-survivors experience an organization as welcoming and trauma-informed, they are more likely to attend, share, heal together, and feel empowered to discuss their experiences. Through this process, communities gain valuable insights, which regularly lead to the increased safety of children. Jews are reminded in the Book of Isaiah that we are responsible for supporting victim-survivors and strengthening them throughout all journeys towards healing.