Leifer trial swansong for Manny Waks

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VoiCSA (voice against child sexual abuse) founder and CEO, Manny Waks, has announced that he plans to step down from his role as a public advocate in the context of child sexual abuse, including as CEO of VoiCSA.

Manny Waks

Waks said that he will officially resign after the Malka Leifer trial, which is due to commence on 7 February at the County Court of Victoria. The trial is expected to last around six weeks.

Waks told J-Wire that this decision was “extremely difficult” but a necessary step in moving forward, both personally and professionally.

“In 2011, when I publicly disclosed my personal experience of abuse, my main aims were to pursue justice with my abusers (and their facilitators) and to protect other children from these perpetrators. As a senior leader in the Australian Jewish community at the time, including as Vice President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, among other roles, I felt compelled to act. However, I did not have any intention of becoming a public advocate in this field – rather, from several perspectives, this role was imposed on me,” Waks said.

After disclosing his prolonged sexual abuse as a child by two perpetrators at Melbourne’s Yeshivah Centre, Waks launched Tzedek in 2012, an Australian support and advocacy organisation for victims/survivors of child sexual abuse and their families in the Jewish community.

Subsequent to Waks’ disclosure, many victims gave police statements, which resulted in the conviction of numerous perpetrators of child sexual abuse in the Jewish community, including one of Waks’ own abusers, David Cyprys. Also, the issue was being discussed openly for the first time within the Jewish community and many Jewish institutions were adopting relevant child protection policies.

In 2015, Waks advocated for and led the Jewish community’s response to the Australian Government’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. “The Royal Commission was a watershed moment for the Australian Jewish community. In fact, the impact of what we saw and heard at the hearings, as well as the findings against the Jewish community institutions and leadership, continues to be felt around the Jewish world,” Waks said.

At the time, Waks stated that he and his family felt compelled to leave Australia due to the ongoing intimidation and attacks against him and his family, including his parents. Waks relocated to Israel with his then-wife and three young children. His parents also departed Australia for the same reason.

It was at this time that Waks founded and led VoiCSA (initially called Kol v’Oz). This Israel-based organisation is focused on raising awareness on the issue of child sexual abuse and advocating for legislative and other reforms in Jewish communities around the world. Waks worked with various governments in the US, Australia, the UK and Israel. He also assisted many Jewish communities around the world.

“I’m proud of my achievements in addressing the issue of child sexual abuse, both in Australia and on a global scale. Despite the challenges and significant personal costs, I have no regrets in leading this campaign in the Jewish community. The community is now a much safer place for our children than it ever was – and there is much greater acceptance of those who endured abuse,” Waks said. “Ultimately, the culture in our community is continuing to improve on this complex and sensitive issue. However, it’s important to emphasise that, while we have seen significant progress, there is still so much more to be done.”

Waks noted the “significant personal, emotional and financial toll” this “challenging work” over more than a decade has had on him and some of his family, which is the primary reason for him stepping down. “It’s time for me to focus on myself and my family, especially my three boys,” Waks added.

Waks will work with the VoiCSA Board and other relevant stakeholders during this transitional period in the hope of finding a replacement. However, if they are unable to do so, VoiCSA will be shut down. VoiCSA is currently accepting expressions of interest from relevant individuals who may be interested in leading it.

Waks currently does not have any specific plans for the future. “The main goal now is to extricate myself from what I have been living and breathing for over a decade. This alone will be a major challenge,” Waks said.

“I look forward to concluding my role in the coming months and for whatever lies ahead, both personally and professionally,” Waks concluded.