Women’s International Zionist Organization report shows 19 Israeli women were killed by family members in 2012.
By DANIELLE ZIRIDomestic violence (illustrative) 370(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
As part of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women which takes place on Sunday, WIZO has released its annual figures on violence against women in Israel.According to the data – collected annually from November to November – 19 women were killed by family members in 2012 in Israel, compared to 24 in 2011, a 26 percent decrease.Out of the 19 victims, four were Arab, six were Ethiopian, one was from the former Soviet Union, one from the Philippines and one an Eritrean refugee.The organization also made clear that the numbers do not include many failed murder attempts that have occurred during the year.In addition, according to the Women’s International Zionist Organization estimation, 200,000 women have suffered from domestic violence in the past year and 600,000 children had been exposed to it.The Ministry of Social Affairs also reported that in 2011 its prevention centers for domestic violence received approximately 14,500 new applications, a 16% increase from the previous year.The ministry’s data, released on Sunday, also showed that the prevention centers treated about 10,286 households (11,778 individuals) in 2011.Of these, 67% were women, 26% men and 7% were children.In the same year, 732 women and 973 children were given protection and care in 13 shelters for victims of domestic violence across the country.“Protection and restraining orders for women victims of violence are life-saving tools, but there are difficulties in their implementation and enforcement,” WIZO chairwoman Gila Oshrat said in a statement.“The lack of enforcement ultimately puts women at risk.They find themselves standing alone in front of their violent spouse,” she said.“There is a need to strengthen the interactions between all the systems responsible for operating protection orders in order to increase their effectiveness and ensure the safety of the concerned women,” Oshrat added.Social Affairs Minister Moshe Kahlon also addressed the issue: “The Ministry of Social Affairs acknowledges the importance of treating the plague of violence. It therefore operates centers for domestic violence, shelters and many programs that help victims of violence. The ministry intends to continue working on the subject.”“It is inconceivable that terror and violence are present in the lives of so many women and children, who are not safe in their own homes,” he added. “The Ministry of Social Affairs is doing everything to give them solutions.”WIZO is expected to hold a conference on the prevention of domestic violence in Tel Aviv on Sunday. The event will be attended by government and justice officials including Internal Defense Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch.
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