Our Statement on the Reports of Sexual Violence on Israeli Women and Girls

25 October 2023

Our staff, volunteers and the Board of Trustees at Jewish Women’s Aid are devastated by the recent atrocities committed by Hamas and the war in Israel. We join our community in mourning the loss of so many innocent lives and call on the government to help secure the safe return of the hostages.

Since the horrific attack on Jewish civilians in Israel on October 7th, we have heard harrowing reports of acts of sexual violence and rape of Israeli women and girls by Hamas. We strongly condemn all forms of sexual violence and the use of rape as a weapon of war. Sexual violence against women during armed conflict is a grave violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. Such acts have a permanent impact on survivors and damaging psychological effects on women, particularly women who are victim-survivors of sexual violence.

As an organisation that works tirelessly to protect women from abuse and violence, the appalling crimes committed against innocent women and girls are having a detrimental effect on the women we support, as well as our helpline volunteers, our advocates, and therapists who are directly supporting our clients. The public silence from many UK domestic/sexual abuse sector organisations further impacts the isolation and fear our clients are experiencing.

At Jewish Women’s Aid, we support Jewish women and girls who are victims of sexual violence and abuse, and we believe in a world without violence against women. Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by these traumatic reports, we stand together with you in grief and horror.

Caroline Ratner, Chair of Trustees

Latest

Community Activists Programme
The Jewish Chronicle, The Schmooze: Voices From The Community

Thirty years on, our mission to help women is growing
Help Us Protect all Jewish Women from Abuse

On the 17-18 March we are holding a 36-hour matched fundraising campaign. Help us raise vital funds!
Dinner Donation

The Jewish Chronicle, The Schmooze: Voices From The Community

Thirty years on, our mission to help women is growing
Global women’s rights groups silent as Israeli women testify about rapes by Hamas

Despite widespread evidence of terrorists’ systematic acts of sexual brutality on Oct. 7, most worldwide organizations either have no comment or bash IDF’s military campaign in Gaza
We can’t stay silent about abuse and sexual violence

Jewish Women’s Aid will focus on amplifying the voices of Jewish women
MeToo unless you’re a Jew

Feminist groups are whitewashing Hamas's crimes
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis urges abused women to turn to JWA

His intervention follows a report in the JC on the sharp decline in referrals to the charity after the terrorist attacks in Israel
Anti-Semitism is deterring Jewish women who suffer domestic abuse from seeking help, City Hall told

Referrals to Jewish Women’s Aid are reportedly down 72%, compared with last year, following the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7
Over 70 per cent drop in referrals to Jewish Women's Aid 'due to terrorist attack'

Women are more afraid to leave an abusive relationship due to increased antisemitism, say charity's leaders.
Misogyny and busting the 'bad apple' myth

We need to open up conversations and withold judgement
Our Outreach and Prevention Team Trains 220 Youth Leaders!

Our Outreach & Prevention team travelled up and down the country to train youth leaders staffing summer camps for Jewish youth movements
Ziona Handler, VAWG Outreach Lead, Trains the Metropolitan Police.

In July, our VAWG Outreach Lead, Ziona Handler, trained 300 of newly recruited Metropolitan Police Officers at the Hendon Police College.

Domestic Abuse Helpline

Confidential, free, anonymous 0808 801 0500 Read more