Since Saturday, October 7, testimonies have been told by people about sexual abuse that occurred in the terrorists' attack on the communities near the border and the Nova party. These testimonies were met with distrust and even denial by many bodies around the world that refused to recognize these acts and demanded proof. In the face of these denials, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security reports that so far it has been approached by a number of survivors who took part in a party in Nova that took place in Re'im and were sexually abused. Although face-to-face treatments have not yet begun, calls and telephone reports have already begun, and the professionals expect that many more new inquiries will arrive in the coming days and weeks.
Salit Shahar Hochman, director of adult sexual abuse at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security, says that the nature of sexual assault on October 7 is different from abuse that occurs at other times. "These injuries are in a continuum of many traumatic cases. People who have been sexually abused in front of other people, when friends and family members have been murdered or kidnapped next to them. These incidents increase the sense of personal humiliation experienced by those who were raped and sexually abused."
"The injuries seem to have been and are over, but in fact they are still ongoing." Our experience shows that it takes time to process what happened and those affected go through a self-process until they feel safe enough and ready to seek help and seek treatment. We urge anyone affected to contact us and seek treatment. You don't have to go through this alone."
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security is preparing to respond to all those who were sexually abused during the October 7 events. Upon receiving reports of sexual abuse committed during the fighting, immediate action was taken by the Ministry to provide immediate treatment to adults and children and adolescents suffering from sexual trauma. So far, there have been several calls from people who were sexually abused on October 7.
Damage in Gaza Village, Archive,
Sexual violence undermines the victims and brings them to an extreme state of helplessness and a sense of undermining security and stability in their world order. At this time, and with the outbreak of the war, the consequences of the sexual violence that took place greatly affected all aspects of the victims' lives. The injury may develop into post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological, social, emotional and functional difficulties.
Among the immediate actions taken by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security:
• An additional budget dedicated to the treatment of sexual trauma, totaling NIS 4 million, was approved.
Treatment centers for children and adolescents who are victims of sexual abuse continued to operate, although some treatments were transferred to remote care.
• For adult victims, a short and simple online form has been prepared, requesting immediate treatment of sexual trauma. The treatment is intended for three populations: a woman or a man who has been victims of sexual violence by terrorists; A woman or man who is cared for by the therapeutic units of the Ministry for Victims of Sexual Violence and following the war the unit is not fully functional, and additional therapists are needed to support the collapsed unit. (these are units located in authorities from the combat zones); A woman or man who was a victim of sexual violence in the past and until the war did not need special treatment, however, being in combat zones triggered the sexual trauma and they need treatment today.
The online application goes directly to the Director of the Division for the Treatment of Adult Sexual Abusers, who transfers the treatment of victims to the various treatment centers throughout the country through the districts.
Any person who has been sexually abused as a result of the events of the war will be entitled to immediate treatment when he contacts the Ministry's treatment centers, this treatment will be indefinite.
The treatments provided by the Ministry in treatment centers for victims of sexual violence are free of charge and over time
it is self-evident that people who receive treatment for sexual trauma resulting from the war will be able to receive treatment beyond the existing procedure and as long as they need.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security calls on anyone who has been sexually abused to contact the 118 helpline and reach the treatment centers.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us