A shocking statistic: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security is publishing its annual report on children who have been victims of sexual assault this morning, indicating that in 2022 there has been a 9% increase in the number of children aged 3-19 treated at the Ministry's 21 regional centers for the treatment of victims of sexual assault.
In 2022, 3,591 children were treated at the centers, compared to 3,299 children in 2021. The data also show that 78% of the minors were treated when the focus of treatment was sexual abuse they experienced within or outside the family, while 22% of the minors were treated after demonstrating inappropriate or abusive sexual behavior, while some of the patients in the field of inappropriate sexual behavior were even sexually abused themselves in the past. 9% of the patients were from Arab society and about 19% from Haredi society.
78% of the minors were treated with the focus of treatment - sexual abuse within or outside the family (illustration), photo: Ami Shumen
Social worker Isabel Seri Levy, from the Social and Personal Services Administration at the Ministry of Social Affairs, who authored the report, estimates that the increase in the number of families seeking treatment stems from increased awareness of sexual abuse of children, as well as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services' access to treatment to target populations through its partner operators.
Minister Margi: "Growing awareness among closed societies"
According to Sari Levy: "The treatment we provide in these centers is both for sexual victims and for children and adolescents who have demonstrated inappropriate and/or abusive sexual behavior, in order to stop this behavior and prevent its recurrence. We also take care of parents who need significant support and guidance after the harm to their children is exposed."
In 2022, in about 18% of cases, sexual assault occurred between minor siblings in the same family. 41% of all minors treated at the centers were boys and 59% were girls. 46% were abused within the nuclear or extended family, with the most common abuse within the family being by the sibling (18%). 54% were abused outside the family – usually (35% of the cases) by someone known to the victim, but also by someone in authority (3%), or a stranger (11%).
Noam Moshkovitz, Knesset Spokesperson's Office
The data also show that during adolescence, a high percentage of girls in treatment (64%) stands out compared to boys (36%). 60% of the victims experienced 'contact under clothes' or rape and sodomy.
Minister of Social Affairs and Social Security, Yaakov Margi, said: "The increase we are seeing indicates that there is growing awareness among societies that were previously more closed and tended to expose such serious injuries, and today everyone understands that timely treatment can save lives. Due to the importance of the issue, we made sure that in the 23-24 budget, the centers for the treatment of sexual abuse will receive an additional budget so that they can continue to provide a response to all applicants."
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