The Israeli Independent Public - Abstract of the Inquiry Report - December 2021

The testimonies show that in most cases, the abuse was not reported in the survivor’s childhood. In about 41% of the cases submitted to the public inquiry, the abuse was revealed by the child or by others close to him or her, who were made aware of it. In most cases where the abuse was reported, the child told a close figure about it, such as a friend, an educator, or a family member. An important finding arising from the testimonies is that only in 21% of cases, the survivor received any kind of assistance or services in the form of treatment or a complaint filed with the police. 79% of inquiry participants said they did not receive any assistance or services.

ASSISTANCE RECEIVED IN CHILDHOOD

Victim received assistance, 21%

VIctim did not receive assistance, 79%

An in-depth examination of the data reveals that for every two cases of children who reported the abuse to someone during childhood, only one child was referred to the welfare or legal systems. Furthermore, out of the children who did report the abuse and received a response from the authorities (the welfare, education, or legal systems), less than half felt that the response and service they received had benefited or assisted them in surviving the abuse, or had given them a sense that justice had been served. In other words, less than 10% of the survivors who participated in the inquiry had received an official response appropriate to their needs as children, while about 90% had suffered abuse that remained secret or was not treated properly.

The Israeli Independent Public Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

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