Joel Avrunin, at The Blogs

Jun 4, 2020, 9:00 PM

Honoring Norman Lamm’s legacy after #MeToo

To make amends, Yeshiva University must disclose the full findings of an inquiry and empower staff and students to speak up when they see abuse

Sep 21, 2019, 12:35 AM

On Skolnick, Our Children are the Victims, not Our Institutions

It’s in our communal DNA. We defend teachers accused of abuse saying “It’s unproven, there’s been no arrest, it’s just the kid’s word against the adult”, and when evidence is overwhelming, we defend the schools that employed the teachers....

Jul 22, 2019, 8:27 PM

Return to Sender — Our Response to LGBT Suicide is Misaddressed

We often miss the point in responding to tragedy, such as sharing articles on how to escape riptides, instead of demanding accountability and safety in our summer camps. We make the same error when responding to the suicide of...

Jul 19, 2019, 9:10 AM

If Not Now When — Responding to the Tragedy in Virginia Beach

In the wake of a tragedy such as the drowning of Rabbi Reuven Bauman in Virginia Beach, we must provide solace and comfort to the family that is hurting. The family should not be asked to account for why...

Jun 3, 2019, 8:03 AM

Maryland Finally Enacts Penalties for Failure to Report Child Abuse

On April 18, 2019, Maryland took a big step towards protecting children when Governor Hogan signed a law creating criminal penalties for a mandated reporter who fails to report child sexual abuse. Mandatory reporting laws date back to the...

May 28, 2019, 9:15 PM

The Danger of a Little Knowledge – Vaccinations and Child Sexual Abuse

As measles rages through major Orthodox Jewish communities, the vaccination debate naturally follows. It is a story of personal anecdote and a presumed expertise versus the scientific method and evidence based medicine. Our ignorance on vaccination efficacy mirrors our...

Jan 29, 2019, 12:44 AM

What Makes a Real Superhero? Reflections on the NY Child Victims Act

As we celebrate the passage of the New York Child Victims Act, we must ask - how does a political act that gives rights to victims help stop child abuse in society? It is simple - we cannot fix...

Jan 6, 2019, 6:11 AM

Abuse Investigation Delayed and Polluted by Internal Reporting

Due to increased awareness about abuse, we now have Jewish community serving organizations that work hard to prevent abuse and “interven effectively and with cultural sensitivity when abuse occurs.” Unfortunately, these community organizations can unintentionally make the problem worse in many...

Dec 28, 2018, 11:26 AM

10 positive ways you can support victims of abuse

In my previous post, How to Fight Silence on Abuse? Be Loud and Lead!, I defined "secondary abuse" as the act of re-traumatizing a victim through the response to their abuse, but did not give practical ways to support...

Nov 30, 2018, 10:06 AM

Featured Post

How to fight silence on abuse? Be loud and lead!

Lip-service against primary abuse is not enough; we must take action to stop the secondary abuse of gaslighting victims

About Me

Joel Avrunin is a leader in building technical sales teams, with a passion for technology, teambuilding, coaching, and helping people develop their careers. Experiencing the heartache of being a father to a victim of clergy child sex abuse has motivated him to be a vocal proponent of robust child safety and anti-grooming policies in our schools, houses of worship, and summer camps. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and children, where he enjoys long runs down the Atlanta Beltline and hikes in the North Georgia mountains with his family.

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