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Prominent Rabbi in NTC Charged With Abusing Children

Posted in Sexual Abuse on Thursday, January 9, 2020.

We are learning that a rabbi and associate principal at a well-known NYC private school has been charged with producing child pornography, federal prosecutors say. Today, the New York City sexual abuse attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. want to discuss this developing story. We are dedicated to helping the victims of any kind of child sex abuse. Our knowledgeable and experienced team is here when you are ready to hold abusers accountable for their actions.

What is happening in this case?

In September, Jonathan Skolnick was arrested after he allegedly tricked a teen boy into sending him nude photographs. Skolnick facing a multitude of charges, including those related to production and possession of child pornography. He faces up to 30 years in jail if found guilty of the charge he is currently facing.

Skolnick was the associate principal of SAR Academy in Riverdale, which is billed as “a Modern Orthodox co-educational day school.” It serves students up to the eighth grade.

Investigators say the Skolnick allegedly posed as a teenage girl online to communicate with a 14-year-old boy, convincing the boy to send explicit photos of himself. Skolnick allegedly told the FBI that he had sought nude photos from dozens of other minors, and investigators say there are 20 to 25 other potential victims, mostly minors.

The school where Skolnick worked fired him after learning of this arrest. A spokesperson for the school said in a statement to parents that “We have reason to be concerned that SAR students may have been victims or potential victims and we are asking you to share any information you have with law enforcement as they continue to conduct their investigation.”

Is this considered child sex abuse?

Yes, this is absolutely considered child sex abuse. Not all forms of sexual abuse involve directly touching a victim. This is a violation of a minor’s rights. The production of child pornography victimizes youth in ways that can damage them emotionally and psychologically.

All too often, we find that perpetrators of child sex abuse are those that the child trusts. In this case, it was a teacher. While we do not yet know if his victims were actually his students, this is not an uncommon theme. Most victims of child sex abuse know their abusers.

Let us get to work on your behalf

If you or a loved one have suffered from sexual abuse, you should seek assistance from a qualified, understanding, and compassionate legal team. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., we are here to help. When we take your case, we are prepared to thoroughly investigate what happened. Our goal is to secure the closure and compensation you deserve, including:

  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Compensation for counseling
  • Punitive damages against the perpetrator(s)
    • The person who abused you
    • Institutions they worked for
    • Institutions that covered up the abuse

If you need a New York City sexual abuse attorney, You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 215-929-7216.