Reacting to the conviction of Nechemya Weberman of Williamsburg on charges of sexually abusing a minor, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J.Hynes said he hoped the case would open doors for more abuse victims to come forward and seek justice. “The victim showed great courage to come forward in a very difficult time,” said Hynes in a statement. “Hopefully, this verdict will lead to the understanding for other women that they can come forward as well.”
Weberman was convicted of a total of 59 charges, all related to the same victim, and could be sentenced to more than 100 years in jail.
In his statement on the verdict, Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who represents Borough Park and Flatbush and has taken a high profile in fighting obstruction of Orthodox abuse cases, said “As someone who has been involved in this issue from the beginning, I am encouraged by this young lady’s courage in standing up for herself. I am hopeful that if other young people believe themselves to be victims of abuse that they too will come forward. Silence only protects the guilty.”
In another statement, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, president of the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of America, said, “Weberman’s conviction is validation of our commitment to work with law enforcement to protect the innocent victims of our community and to hold their perpetrators accountable.”
An abuse survivor and advocate for victims who attended the trial, Joe DiAngello, told The Jewish Week he was elated by the outcome.
“After years of being called a liar about the Vaad [modesty committee] and all the abusers, myself and others feel validated and won’t stop till all these injustices end,” DiAngello said.
