Menachem ‘Mendy’ Kiwak is now being accused of sexual abuse, harassment, and forcible touching. He has entered a plea of not guilty in response to these charges.
An academician has sparked apprehension among colleagues and the general public as it has come to light that he will persist in his teaching duties despite being confronted with allegations of sexual assault.
According to an online schedule of classes quoted by the New York Post, Menachem ‘Mendy’ Kiwak, an adjunct professor at Touro University, is expected to resume teaching a course on ethics next month.
Menachem ‘Mendy’ Kiwak’s class will be conducted through online platforms and an undisclosed ‘offsite’ venue. The course will primarily address matters about professional, legal, and ethical aspects in the field of counselling.
Menachem ‘Mendy’ Kiwak’s involvement with the university followed allegations of violating his code of conduct by exerting undue influence on a private patient.
The woman, who had experienced sexual assault, approached him for assistance as a counsellor.
However, he is alleged to have compelled her to engage in sexual activity on many occasions.
The victim complained to Kiwak with the New York State Office of Professional Discipline, an entity responsible for probing allegations of sexual misconduct and assault.
If proven guilty, he may face the revocation of his licence.
Jordan Isenstadt, a representative for the institution, informed The New York Post that Kiwak is currently not assigned to work for this semester and is on administrative leave.
Nevertheless, when asked whether the professor would be doing online instruction, as indicated by his class schedule, where he is listed as the ethics class instructor, and with 19 students already enrolled, Isenstadt did not respond.
Another Touro professor expressed dissatisfaction with returning to work, describing it as ‘a complete injustice’.
“I find it astonishing that Touro is permitting him to continue his teaching duties despite the seriousness of the charges.”
Although Menachem ‘Mendy’ Kiwak was accused in May of sexual assault, harassment, and forcible touching, he entered a plea of not guilty. Reliable sources have confirmed that he could complete the remainder of the school year.
However, colleagues claim this could be attributed to his mother-in-law’s influential role at the university.
According to reports, Menachem ‘Mendy’ Kiwaks mother-in-law holds a prominent position as the head of the behavioural sciences department where he works. A professor stated that without his mother-in-law’s influential position at the institution, Menachem ‘Mendy’ Kiwak would have likely been dismissed already.
Purportedly, before Menachem ‘Mendy’ Kiwak’s apprehension, the accuser’s legal representative conversed with Walkenfield on the accusations and divulged grievances made by female students.
As reported by his students, he purportedly discussed explicit content and employed sexual terminology throughout his lectures.
Furthermore, he purportedly contended that marital rape is non-existent, despite his occupation as a marriage counsellor.
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