"Due to serious sexual offenses" • The child psychologist's license was permanently revoked

(haipo) - The Ministry of Health announced today (Monday 9/9/24) that the disciplinary committee appointed according to the Psychologists Law made a decision to permanently revoke Idan Kosovsky's license to practice psychology, and his name was deleted from the Ministry's register of psychologists. This follows his conviction for serious sexual offenses against two minors.

Kosovsky is currently serving a 55-month prison sentence, which the Haifa District Court sentenced him to in February 2023, for these acts. According to the complaint filed on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Kosovski acted knowingly and maliciously, and seriously violated the professional trust granted to him. His actions are in complete opposition to the purpose of his profession, which is to help people in mental distress. The Ministry of Health clarified that this is a serious case of a violation of professional ethics, which harms the public's trust in psychologists and the health system in general.

The Ministry of Health states that it adopts a policy of zero tolerance towards sexual abuse and harassment in the health system, and invests significant efforts to combat this unacceptable phenomenon. As part of this struggle, in recent years the ministry has tightened the penalties imposed on offenders, including health professionals.

The Ministry appeals to anyone who has been sexually harmed or harassed in the health system and reminds that it is possible to contact the supervisors of sexual harassment in the relevant organizations, or the supervisor in the Ministry of Health responsible for handling cases of sexual harassment by therapists. These applications are received by the Public Acceptance Commission for the medical professions, and are handled with sensitivity and urgency.

In January 2022, Kosovsky was convicted, as I recall, of sexual offenses against two minors he cared for, which also included touching their private parts. This is an esteemed educational psychologist, who was considered highly sought after in his field and worked in schools including in Haifa.