Professor accused of sexually abusing patient returns to university to teach legal and ethical issues: report – Crime Online

A Touro University associate professor accused of sexually abusing a patient will return to class next month to teach a course focused on ethics.

The New York Post reports that Professor Menachem “Mendy” Kiwak is scheduled to teach two courses in the upcoming fall semester. Kiwak is listed in the online course listing as a professor of “Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling,” with one course scheduled to be held online and another at an as-yet-undetermined location.

“This is an absolute farce,” said another of Touro's professors. “Given the nature of the charges, I'm surprised Touro allows him to continue teaching.”

Kiwak was accused of sexually abusing a patient at a private counseling center who had no connection to Touro. She accused him of numerous forced sexual encounters.

A recording obtained by the New York Post appears to show Kiwak apologizing for his misconduct:

“I'm sorry for taking advantage of you and for hurting you. I know you're angry and you're mad at me. But I promise you, I've never fallen so low in my life. In my life.”

In May, Kiwak was charged with sexual abuse, harassment and sexual assault.

Kiwak was allowed to finish the school year after pleading not guilty to the charges.

Before Kiwak's arrest, the accuser's attorney shared the allegations with Faye Walkenfeld, including concerns raised by female students about his use of sexual slang and profanity, as well as his discussions of pornography in class. It was also mentioned that he once claimed that marital rape was not a valid concept.

Many colleagues claim that Walkenfeld is protecting Kiwak because she is his mother-in-law and heads the behavioral sciences department where Kiwak works.

“I'm convinced he would have left long ago if his mother-in-law hadn't been a big shot at the college,” said a Touro professor.

The New York Post contacted Touro on Friday and learned that Kiwak is “not scheduled to work this semester” and is still on “administrative leave,” according to spokesman Jordan Isenstadt.

Late Friday, Touro still showed Kiwak as a professor for the aforementioned online courses, which have 20 students participating and 19 students enrolled.

Kiwak's lawyers refuse to comment, and there are no further statements from Isenstadt either.

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[Feature Photo:Wiki Images/Ajay Suresh]