Israel Police detain 15 for suspected gang-rape of 15-year-old girl in North
The Israel Women's Network called on the state prosecutor to take the case very seriously and act as seriously as possible against the "youth who connected on multiple occasions to rape a minor."
(Warning: The following article covers graphic topics such as sexual assault and rape.)
Israel Police on Sunday detained 15 minors suspected of raping a 15-year-old girl on numerous occasions.
The police opened a covert investigation into alleged serious sex offenses against the girl around a month ago after a complaint was filed, they said.
Some suspects were scheduled on Sunday to attend hearings, where police planned to ask for an extension of their arrests.
The investigation is ongoing, the police added.
Calls for justice
“There are no words in the face of this disturbing case,” said Tal Hochman, Israel Women’s Network executive director.
“The constant focus on external threats causes us to turn our attention to the security situation outside, but sexual violence continues to occur here all the time, right in our own home. As Israeli society, we must not turn a blind eye,” she added.
The IWN called on the state prosecutor to take the case very seriously and act as diligently as possible against the “youth who connected on multiple occasions to rape a minor.”
“Maximum punishment is the beginning of true justice and essential to deterring other sex offenders. Additionally, we see it as the state’s duty to instill these messages through the education system so that every young person understands that Israel adopts a zero-tolerance policy and will not accept the exploitation and crimes against children and women.”
Na’amat Chairwoman Hagit Peer placed some of the responsibility on Israel’s education system. “The minister of education continues to ignore all the horrifying cases of sexual assaults against girls,” said Peer, responding to the incident. “I call on the minister to immediately launch an awareness campaign in schools on the topic of sexual assault – everything starts with education – beyond enforcement and punishment, which are also important.”
“The minister is preoccupied with more ‘important’ matters, and so, every day, we are exposed to yet another serious case,” Peer added.
"This is a difficult and painful day for all of us," Education Minister Yoav Kisch said. "Our hearts are with the girl and her family during these challenging moments. I have instructed the education system to allocate all necessary resources to provide them with full support. We will continue to stand by them and assist as needed."
Some 50.3% of the victims of sex offenses who complained to Israel’s rape crisis centers were minors in 2022, the most recent year from which data from the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel are available.
Some 27% of women who reported assault were between the ages of 13 and 18, and 2% concerned gang-sex offenses, according to the data.
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