In the months since the outbreak of the “Swords of Iron” war, we have received numerous reports from women describing instances of violence within the family unit. Many women have shared the difficulties their partners face when transitioning from military reserve duty back to home life, often with repeated departures and returns for additional rounds of service.
As an organization dedicated to policy making and to finding solutions for women’s struggles, we decided to investigate whether this is a nationwide phenomenon or a localized issue.
During September 2024, Israel Women’s Network conducted a survey to examine the relationship between direct exposure to warfare and intimate partner violence (IPV) in all its forms. The findings reveal high levels of IPV among those who were exposed to combat zones and involved in the war. These findings align with research from other countries that point to a possible connection between extreme stressors caused by security and traumatic events and rising interpersonal tensions, which manifest in emotional, economic, sexual, and physical violence.
Those who have dedicated themselves to the war effort – whether in the battlefield, on the home front, or at their own homes – are also facing painful challenges within their intimate and family relationships.
In the absence of a broad support system and tailored therapeutic programs, these issues are likely to deepen and become an integral part of the social and familial discourse in Israel. Therefore, addressing and preventing IPV must be considered an essential part of post-war social rehabilitation efforts.
מרכז הזכויות של שדולת הנשים על שם אליס שלוי ז”ל.
ככה זה כשנשים
עוזרות לנשים,
את לא נשארת לבד.
