New York, NY —

Orthodox Jewish leaders and the Brooklyn District Attorney's office are launching a new initiative to fight sexual abuse in their community, after a sharp rise in reported cases. DA Charles Hynes says the initiative is called Kol Tzedek, "Voice of Justice."

Hynes: In the book of Deutoronomy, we are told "Tzedek, Tzedek, Tzedek, Tiadov. Justice, Justice, thou shalt pursue." And that is precisely what we intend to do.

The program includes a telephone hotline for victims to report sexual crimes, which will be handled by culturally sensitive social workers and prosecutors. Officials say the DA's office is handling 19 cases in Borough Park, Williamsburg, Crown Heights and Flatbush.