The IDF has seen an aberrant jump of 24% in the number of soldiers reporting sexual assault, as well as in increase in the number of complaints filed with the Military Police, according to a new report compiled by the chief of staff's advisor on gender issues obtained by Israel Hayom.
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The report, authored by Brig. Gen. Yifat Yerushalmi Tomer, states that in 2020 1,542 complaints about military sexual assault were filed, compared to 1,239 in 2019. The report notes that the increase in assault complaints in 2020 was "unusual, since in the past decade complaints have risen by an average of 11% each year, whereas 2020 saw double that, 24%. A similar rise was seen in 2018, which was attributed to the #MeToo social media campaign."
According to the report, the vast majority of alleged assailants in complaints filed in 2020 were men. Approximately half were soldiers on compulsory service, a third were officers and NCOs, and the rest were civilian employees of the IDF, reservists, contractors, or unnamed. Nearly half (48%) of the complaints entailed alleged physical assaults.
However, the report noted a slight decrease in the number of "serious" physical attacks, and an increase in the number of cases of reported voyeurism and complainants being filmed in barracks and in showers without consent, which were the basis of 41 complaints in 2020 compared to 20 the previous year.
As stated, the number of charges pressed with the Military Police or the Israel Police increased from 15% in 2019 to 17% in 2020. Approximately one-third of these reported incidents (480) were handled by IDF disciplinary measures. In eight cases, additional complaints were made against the same alleged attacker or harasser after he was disciplined. Over the course of 2020 25 civilian employees of the IDF were banned from bases and five others were called in for reprimands. Approximately half of complainants decided not to press charges.
In 2020, there were 27 reported incidents of relationships between officers and subordinates, which is prohibited under military regulations, compared to 23 in 2019.
Men comprised 14% of victims of alleged assaults, and the number of alleged attackers accused in more than one incident increased from 159 in 2019 to 178 in 2020.
However, the report noted that for the first time in a decade, the number of reports of soldiers being assaulted in civilian surroundings, compared to an average yearly increase in such reports of 12% since 2014.
IDF officials think that the increase in reports of assault and sexual harassment filed in 2020 is related to the collective societal trauma caused by the COVID crisis, citing enforced social distancing, lockdowns, soldiers not being allowed to leave bases for home visits, and eroded ties with sources of social support, all of which create the risk for sexualized behavior and attacks. The IDF also said that the extreme, ongoing stress of COVID increased the risk of mental illness, as well as exaggerating people's sense of vulnerability.
The IDF Spokesman said in response to the report that "The IDF takes any sexual assault seriously and is working to eradicate this phenomenon from its ranks."
Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee's Subcommittee on Personnel, Maj. Gen. (res.) Orna Barbivai, has asked to convene her subcommittee to ask IDF officials about how they are handling the increase in reported sexual harassment.
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