Harrassment and similar issues in Jewish Day Schools

I was asked to comment on this sensitive and difficult issue. To be comprehensive would need a long essay (and, if I ever complete my project to write 'The Principal's Guide to the Jewish Day School" -- 20,000 words so far, but I haven't looked at it for a time -- it will get it; but not, I am afraid, here!)

But some general comments:

1. No Jewish institution, as no non-Jewish institution, is free of the issues and problems of our society, whatever they are. (I believe this has always been true.)
2. There is far greater awareness today of issues of sexual harrassment and all other types of harrassment, bullying etc. than there ever was, and, fortunately, a greater willingness to tackle the problems. To do so effectively requires several, simultaneous pieces to be in place. To the extent that they are, any single institution (school, shul, office, old-age home etc) will be able to do fairly and effectively. If they aren't, problems are unlikely to be solved. In any case, because issues of this type (in my experience) are inevitably a symptom of far wider emotional networks of disturbance, dealing with them will be a stressful issue for everyone involved, in whatever capacity.
3. Among the 'pieces that have to be in place' (in schools, at least) are, in brief:

-- clear written policies regarding expectations of behaviour, consequences, and process (corollary: this goes with a well-run, professional school)
-- a trustworthy, and trusted, means of voicing concerns
-- a supportive (and, frequently, courageous) faculty, Administration and Board -- and community.

Additionally, a good school will take care in taking references on prospective employees, and be alert to the small, but significant signs and 'messages' that indicate trouble.

4. As everyone knows, some organisations have had to confront painful realities in these areas. (see, for example, the extensive Guidelines that NCSY now issues to its staff and volunteers.)

5. A related issue, very relevant to Jewish schools, is the issue of boundaries where staff are encouraged to be heavily involved spiritually and therefore emotionally with their students. This is particularly, although not exclusively, true for obvious reasons in the Jewish Studies area. See entry #15 ("Permitted means in Kiruv work") on the this link, where I have written on the issue of the 'charismatic teacher'.

Finally -- quick answers to the original enquirer:
1) Experience in dealing with these issues -- yes, on a number of occasions over many years?
2) Prevalence of the problem -- I don't know how to measure 'prevalence'. It exists.
3) Our expectations, policies and procedures are clearly indicated in our 'School Handbook" (not on line for another week or so 4) All our employees require Criminal Record clearance (as per Ontario Provincial legislation), and my guess is that because we are smaller we check other references more carefully than the public school system (becasue they deal with far larger numbers). 5) I'm afraid I can't comment on other schools, or on why whichever Toronto publication didn't publish Chezi z'l's articles. 6) I think that greater awareness has led to greater willingness to face issues, which means that they can be dealt with.

I hope this is helpful.