According to an annual WIZO report, there was a 315% increase in domestic violence in 2020. Distress calls made to the 118 hotline went from 2286 calls in 2019 to 5866 calls in 2020, which is a 157% increase. More than half were tagged under spousal violence, which increased from 688 calls in 2019 to 2853 calls in 2020.
In a recent announcement ahead of International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women on November 25, Merav Michaeli, the transportation minister who is also the chair for the recently formed gender equality committee, states that NIS 155 million, or $50 million, will be budgeted to help fight domestic violence. She is currently trying to put a bill in place which recognizes economic violence as a form of domestic violence, a larger societal issue that requires protection and support.
“It’s time we moved from words to actions…We will take steps to prevent it, the time has come to have this in our law book. It is not up to interpretation, it’s not a mistake, but simply impermissible violence even if it is done by economic means. These NIS 155 million that we will spend on care, education… all these things that will stop this terrible violence and allow us to move forward to equality and a life without violence.”
