Living with Injustice: A Dual Battle for Survival

Since October 7th, the atmosphere in Israel has been weighed down by the ceaseless presence of violence, terror, despair, and pain. The ongoing war has not only shaken our physical safety but has also tested our resilience and spirit as individuals and as a nation. For many of us, each day brings a renewed confrontation with the harsh realities of cruelty and evil, forcing us to confront pain and suffering as an integral part of daily life.

Here at Tahel – Crisis Center for Religious Women and Children, we face an additional, often silent, layer of trauma that transcends the violence of war: the trauma of sexual abuse. While the whole nation grapples with an external conflict, we are constantly reminded of another form of violence, one that knows no borders, takes place in times of peace as well as war, and impacts individuals profoundly and permanently.

Sexual abuse leaves scars that linger long after the events have ended. Survivors often carry heavy burdens: the confusion, pain, and sense of betrayal that accompany abuse can feel insurmountable. Their path to healing is long and challenging, filled with moments of courage but also with setbacks. And this journey is made all the harder by the ongoing stresses surrounding us, which compound the trauma and make recovery feel even more distant.

In Tahel, we provide a place of refuge and a steady hand to those who have been hurt. Here, we work tirelessly to give survivors the emotional support they need to begin their journey forward. We walk alongside them, offering advocacy and guidance as they navigate the difficult process of reclaiming their lives and restoring their sense of safety and self-worth.

At Tahel, one of our most delicate responsibilities is helping survivors of abuse, particularly young victims, make the difficult decision of whether to report the abuse to the police. For minors, the decision is often complicated by the Law of Mandatory Reporting, which requires us to inform the relevant authorities of the abuse to ensure the victim’s protection and the potential prosecution of the abuser. This legal obligation can be overwhelming for families who reach out to us, often as they are just beginning to process the traumatic experience their child has endured.

Our role in these cases is not only to inform but also to support the victim and their family through every step of what can be an exhaustive judicial process. We understand that the prospect of legal action can feel intimidating and, for many survivors, retraumatizing. The process is often long and arduous, with frequent delays and demanding legal requirements that make it challenging for families already in pain. Victims may feel as though they are forced to relive their trauma repeatedly, which can hinder their healing and leave them feeling vulnerable and alone.

At Tahel, we are committed to standing by survivors and their families, offering both practical and emotional support. From explaining each stage of the legal process to helping them navigate interactions with law enforcement, attorneys, and court representatives, we aim to alleviate some of the burdens of a system that can often feel unresponsive to the needs of survivors. Our approach is rooted in trauma-informed care, meaning we focus on minimizing additional emotional strain while providing guidance that prioritizes the survivor’s well-being and recovery.

We work to empower survivors and their families, helping them understand their rights and the options available to them. Sometimes, our role is to advocate on their behalf, ensuring that the court treats them with respect and empathy and that they have access to the resources they need for support and healing. We also help families and survivors connect with mental health services, peer support groups, and other resources essential for navigating both the legal and emotional journeys they face.

Our mission is to provide survivors with a safe, supportive space where they feel heard, understood, and respected. By guiding them through the judicial process with empathy and expertise, we hope to lessen the burden of a system that can often seem indifferent to the personal experiences of trauma and healing. At Tahel, we believe that every survivor deserves to have a trusted ally by their side, helping them find the strength to face the legal system with courage, dignity, and hope for a future free from abuse.

In times of crisis, when the world seems to be unraveling, our commitment to these survivors becomes even more critical. We understand that for those who have been harmed in such a personal way, the current atmosphere can deepen feelings of isolation and fear. And so, we continue our work with renewed determination, helping each individual find the strength to take their next steps, even amid the hardships that surround us all.

The battle against injustice comes in many forms, and at Tahel, we are dedicated to fighting on behalf of those whose wounds may not be visible but whose pain is very real. We stand with them, in solidarity and hope, committed to helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.

The family of a victim of Malka Ozeri, a teacher from Kiryat Arba,  approached Tahel for help in dealing with the sexual abuse of their daughter who was under the age of 14 and had been sexually abused by this “teacher”.  The courts just released the information that a plea bargain was reached and the perpetrator, Malka Ozeri, will serve 9 months in prison and pay 30,000 sh in damages. This sentencing in no way encompasses the harm and destruction that this young girl went through. The plea bargain was reached in order to save this young girl from going through the further trauma of having to bear testimony in court – an often painful and traumatic experience for the victim.

In a just society, teachers who sexually abuse those entrusted to their care should be immediately and unequivocally removed from the teaching profession, held to the highest standards of accountability, and receive serious punishment that reflects the profound harm inflicted on their victims. Teachers are meant to be protectors, mentors, and guides for young people. When they betray this sacred trust, their actions leave deep psychological and emotional scars on those who are often too young to fully comprehend the abuse they have suffered. Society has a moral obligation to ensure that such individuals are not only removed from any position of authority but are also held fully accountable for the lifelong impact of their actions.

In a just society, survivors should be celebrated and supported, not only for having the courage to come forward but also for their resilience in the face of an experience that can feel isolating, confusing, and shattering. Coming forward with a story of abuse requires immense strength—strength to share the deepest pain, to speak out against authority figures, and to endure the scrutiny and challenges of a legal system that can often feel unsympathetic and cold. Victims should never feel that their courage is met with indifference; rather, they should be met with compassion, comprehensive support, and recognition of their bravery.

Rewarding survivors isn’t just about acknowledging their strength; it’s about creating an environment where they feel safe and supported enough to seek justice without fear of judgment or further pain. This means offering trauma-informed resources, mental health support, and financial assistance where needed to help them rebuild their lives. A society that respects and values survivors’ stories is one that encourages other victims to come forward, knowing they will be met with empathy and protection rather than skepticism and silence.

True justice extends beyond individual cases; it involves fostering a societal response that condemns abuse unequivocally, prioritizes the healing and well-being of survivors, and works tirelessly to prevent future occurrences. This is the standard we should strive for—one that honors the courage of survivors, holds perpetrators fully accountable, and builds a world where abuse is not only punished but also prevented through vigilant community action and support.

At Tahel, we envision and work for such a just society, where survivors of abuse are respected and empowered, where abusers are fully accountable, and where justice is accessible, compassionate, and unwavering.  Tahel – *2511.