Knesset extends legal aid for victims of sex offenses

Early on Thursday, the Knesset approved a law that will provide victims of sex offenses with legal aid from the moment they file a complaint, instead of waiting for their attacker’s indictment.

The law also broadens the types of offenses for which victims are eligible for aid, including indecent acts and statutory offenses committed by caregivers and spiritual advisors. Legal aid will also be granted during appeals of decisions not to try suspects.

Victims of trafficking are also eligible for legal aid in criminal proceedings and appeals under the new law.

Previously, they were eligible for aid only in civil proceedings.

“Every victim, male or female, can now come to the police safer and more protected when they get legal aid funded by the state for the entire procedure,” said former Labor head MK Merav Michaeli, who put forward the bill that was then merged with a Justice Ministry governmental bill before being voted into law Thursday.

“This is an important step up in recognizing victims and their truth. This important law will lead to more complaints, more indictments, more convictions, and, eventually, many fewer sex offenses,” she added.

The aid provided to victims includes advice and accompaniment, as well as the provision of information about the rights of those making a complaint during the process.

Facilitating the complaint process

The aid aims to improve the relationship with the officials running the investigation and case, as well as help victims maintain their rights during the process.

The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI) helped write the bill. Until now, only around 10% of victims of sex offenses chose to complain, and only a small fraction of the complaints ended in indictments, according to their data.

The legal aid will make submitting a complaint easier and streamline the process, leading to more complaints and more proceedings against offenders, which will increase deterrence, according to the ARCCI.

“This correction is incredibly important and wonderful news for male and female victims,” said Justice Ministry Director-General Itamar Donenfeld.

“The move expresses our recognition, as the Justice Ministry, in [the importance of] making the voices of victims heard, for the entire process of criminal proceedings against offenders and civil proceedings resulting from the offense.”