Dr. Daniela Peled, the district psychologist of Haifa on behalf of the Ministry of Education • on sex education classes, treatment of cases of sexual abuse and the opening of the school year in the shadow of rape in Eilat
Does the Ministry of Education conduct education classes?
Of course it is. Part of the curriculum includes the subject of life skills. As part of life skills, we talk about the topic of healthy sexuality. Those who share and deliver these lessons are the school counselors. There are also life skills classes held in collaboration with the educator. This is part of the curriculum.
Teach healthy sexuality
Of course, the rape case in Eilat is very unfortunate.
The media plays a significant role in how the event is covered. One of the things I'm busy with, is how from an issue that is actually a personal trauma, it became something that is in the public domain.
As part of learning life skills, it is important to know how to talk to teenagers about what is allowed and what is forbidden, about boundaries, about healthy sexuality, and about interpersonal relationships, part of which is also sex. We call it "healthy sexuality" and it is not a topic that is taught in one lesson.

The dangers of pornography
Talk to the children about the dangers of porn? And his misleading example of healthy sexuality?
There are lessons that cover the topic of porn and exposure to it. Again, it is important to understand that talking about sexuality and relationship is not a one-time thing, you have to deal with it over time. Today, in the Haifa district, there is a strengthening of the subject of life skills to address the issue.
To what extent? How many times a year?
I don't know how much, but it should be done as part of a long-term plan. The lessons are carried out in formations in the 7th grade, again in the 8th grade, and so on. It's not like the kids will be exposed to it once in his school years. The whole process of discourse on the subject, the training of the counselors, the psychological reinforcement from the Ministry of Education, all of this is part of the preventive plan.
The dangers of the network
Do the youth get an explanation of the difference between porn and reality? About what is healthy sexuality? About preventive measures and emergency measures?
The topic of pornography is discussed in lessons both directly and in the context of other topics. There are lessons on the subject of violent courtship, there is a lesson on online protection and exposure to inappropriate online content, and all these topics touch on the topic of pornography, even if indirectly. We also explain to younger children about the dangers on the Internet, about contact with strangers.
We not only warn, but explain which areas you can be exposed to online and which areas are dangerous, and this concerns the issue of sexuality. We give the students telephone numbers of assistance centers for consultation, we also bring in external lecturers who are experts in these subjects and are approved by the Ministry of Education.
In case of damage within the school
What do you do in cases of injury?
There is a very clear executive director's circular regarding the separation between the offender and the victim, and each of them receives treatment and guidance regarding the injury - both the offender and the victim. In addition, with the other children in the class and class, a discussion is held on the subject without mentioning details, so that there is no traumatization secondary
A very significant link is the crowd of other students. The circle that is revealed directly or indirectly has a very significant role here, also so that God forbid, none of them will do such an act, and also that they will become a source of strength and power for that girl.

Shaming, boycott and sexual harassment
Unit 105 of the Israel Police
There is a police unit that believes in the issue of youth and children in networks. As part of life skills, police officers from Moked 105 come to have a dialogue with the students in all the schools about online crimes, shaming, extortion, sexual abuse and more.
There are many good things that have happened since the network existed, but it also has many dangers for children. The children and teenagers go through the lessons on the subject of the dangers on the Internet, but still, even when there are many awareness and prevention activities, unfortunately incidents will happen. When things happen, we are there. Every local authority has an educational psychological service, which provides a psychological response if necessary, to a boy or girl.
Is there a plan to expand the classes in light of recent events?
The lessons are not one-time. It is something that is ongoing and happens over time.
One of the challenges of the education system is what is called - SEL - social emotional learning.
We make a lot of efforts and prepare study programs accordingly, in order to increase the issue of empathy towards each other among the students. Once you have more empathy for the other person, you are more sensitive to them, and the chance of hurting them decreases.
The previous school year also started this way...
When the year started, two days ago, did you talk about the rape in Eilat?
A letter was issued in most local authorities, a general directive to high schools and middle schools as part of the preparation days. The directive was to talk about the issue first with the parents and the teachers, in order to prepare for the first week of the school year. This is a topic that cannot be ignored and ignoring is a message. That's why we did the preparation on how to talk, how to do the conversation with the students. We actually made the construction age-appropriate, so that both parents and teachers could do it.
Children are not in a vacuum, children grow up within the educational and home environment, and the cooperation between these environments is very significant. This cooperation is the one that will help, both prevent and treat.
Last school year also opened with the story of the rape in Ayia Napa, it is very sad in my eyes.
Kudos to you, Dr. Daniela Peled, for your educational work. Impressive. God bless you, Daniela. Shabbat Shalom.