Many reasons for concern: The ELI Association for the Protection of the Child concludes 2023 with grim data, indicating a 30 percent increase in requests for assistance following physical, sexual, psychological, neglect and war victims with complex traumas.
A country at war: how do you stop the bad thoughts?
Figures obtained by Israel Hayom show that 16.5 percent of all calls were for treatment of children of terror victims from that bloody black Saturday of October 7.
In 2023, ELI has treated some 12,090 applicants, along with over 2,000 emergency treatments for complex traumas for 2,000 residents of the Gaza envelope. Of these, about 1,000 are boys/girls and youth up to the age of 18.
The increase in inquiries is a direct continuation of an upward trend of tens of percent in recent years. For example, in 2022, there was a 15 percent jump in the number of requests for assistance due to physical, sexual, mental abuse and neglect, and overall, in the previous five years, there was a 34 percent jump in requests.
Increase in the number of women
The number of girls who applied to ELI increased by about 2% in the past year. In 2023, 54 per cent of all applications were applicants, while the number of boys applying to ELI will decline by about 2 per cent to account for 45.3 per cent of all applicants.
The number of sexual assault calls stood at 2023,7 in 864, accounting for the highest rate of all calls – 65.1 percent. About 14 per cent of all inquiries – 1,730 – were due to and under the influence of the Iron Sword War. It should be noted that out of all inquiries, about 40% came from professionals. When examining offender populations, data show that 41 percent of applicants were sexually abused by a child, while 38.4 percent were sexually abused by an adult.
A very worrying report
With the outbreak of the war, ELI President Eran Zimrin instructed the opening of the Association's emergency fund, in order to provide immediate treatment for the complex traumas of evacuees who are victims of terrorism. The organization treated some 2,000 victims of terrorism, including 700 children, 1,300 adults, 100 foreign workers, 200 girls and senior citizens, including some 40 Holocaust survivors.
Eran Zimrin, Photo: Reuven Kapzinski
ELI President Eran Zimrin said, "This is a worrying report. Alongside the real increase in the number of reports, Iron Sword War and increased time spent at home have increased the number of calls for sexual and physical violence in the family.
"As a result of the war, and in parallel with ongoing activity, a damaged child population has emerged in Israel on the order of tens of thousands of children, coping with complex traumas and post-traumas. The State of Israel is committed to a long-term rehabilitation and resilience program."
ELI distress line *6935
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