A welcome wave of condemnation following the rape in Eilat • Calls to move from condemnation to the act
Atlia Scheinfeld, director of the Haifa and North Sexual Assault Assistance Center:
The government does not transfer 80% of the aid money
"We are witness to a blessed public wave following the shocking rape that happened in Eilat. A public wave of anger, protest and condemnation, and that's good. But, we call on the public to move from condemnation to actuality. In a situation where the government condemns, but at the same time does not transfer 80 percent of the support funds that we need to the aid centers , we call and call on the public to mobilize. Donate to the aid centers and we will make sure that this fight continues, and that every victim will receive the assistance they need 24/7 all year round.
The greatest distress is budgetary, and it is increasing sharply
The distress in the aid centers in recent months is on a sharp rise, the biggest distress is budgetary. The amount of inquiries has increased significantly and with it the need to increase assistance in all ways and means. The income from the Ministry of Welfare and the independent income from education and advocacy have been frozen, and it is not known if and when they will be received. In these months of the Corona epidemic, the association is forced to rely completely on fundraising and grants only, when the budget target to reach all those affected is about NIS 200 thousand.
The assistance center for victims of sexual assault in Haifa and the north is collapsing under the load
During the Corona period, there was an increase in the number of victims of sexual assault to the hotline of the aid center in the Haifa region and the north. Due to the increase, and in order to provide an optimal response, the center is launching a campaign to raise funds to add additional telephone standards.
T., a victim of sexual assault who went to the center in July 2020:
Without the help center, I don't know where I would be today, if I were today. And I mean it really, with my hand on my heart. The aid center gives a home to the soul. In a specific and personal way for each soul that has been hurt.
A sharp increase in inquiries
About 1,000 new and returning inquiries to the telephone helpline and about 283 inquiries on WhatsApp were registered in the period from March 2020 to July 2020. From 2019, this is an increase of about 30% in inquiries on the telephone line and 73% in the WhatsApp inquiry center which is active 5 days a week between the hours of 20 00:17-00:XNUMX. The anonymous referrals are received from men, women, teenagers who are without an educational framework and an authoritative figure to turn to, youth in risk frameworks, and even residents abroad who apply via WhatsApp. And during this period, therapeutic and other answers are reduced, such as during the social workers' strike and vacation in educational institutions, the waiting list for groups Zoom support is longer than usual.
Every volunteer is welcome, every contribution is significant
"The Israeli public is the one who helps and moves the wheels of the center, says Ataliya Lahi Fe. Volunteer courses continue to operate with full vigor even in days of closure and fear of the epidemic. In September, another volunteer training course will open.
Every volunteer is blessed, every donation, in any amount, is a significant help for us and for those victims of sexual assault."
In any case of sexual abuse, you can contact the assistance centers anonymously, 24/7:
1202 women
1203 men
052-8361202 on WhatsApp
02-6730002 Religious women and children