Since time immemorial, people in power have sought to take advantage of their innocent subjects. This is no more prevalent than within religious institutions, where the semblance of piety, coupled with the naivety of the young and faithful, provides a perfect cloak and cover for child sexual abuse. Michael Visontay discusses the ultimate betrayal with survivors from within the ultra orthodox Jewish community, Dassi Erlich and Manny Waks, as well as Anne Manne whose research covers a particularly sinister, pedophilic network within the Anglican church.
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The Ultimate Betrayal: When children are prey
11.30am—12.20pm
Artists
Dassi Erlich
Dassi Erlich is a high-profile lobbyist, justice campaigner and advocate for sexual abuse survivors. Given the hardships she has faced, her trajectory is extraordinary. In Bad Faith is Dassi’s powerful memoir.
Anne Manne
Anne Manne is an Australian writer, essayist and social philosopher. A former columnist for The Australian and The Age, she has written many essays about contemporary culture, especially for The Monthly magazine. Her books include Motherhood, So This Is Life, The Life of I and a Quarterly Essay, ‘Love and Money: The Family and the…
Manny Waks
Manny Waks is Host of PTSD Nation, a podcast series addressing the issues associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Manny has held numerous senior leadership positions in the Jewish community in Australia and globally. As a survivor of child sexual abuse, Manny founded organisations to deal with this issue, most notably VoiCSA. Manny is a former…
Michael Visontay
Michael Visontay is the Commissioning Editor of The Jewish Independent and was Editor-in-Chief from 2017-22. With 40 years of experience as a journalist, editor, author, and lecturer, he has held roles including Assistant Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, Deputy Editor of the Sun-Herald, and columnist for The Australian Jewish News. Michael has created and…