Recognized as Human Trafficking Victim, Woman Denied Compensation Due to Funding Shortage
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Yana Tabkin, recognized as a human trafficking victim after 12 years in prostitution, is not receiving compensation due to insufficient funds in the victim compensation fund. The fund, replenished by assets from trafficking and slavery convictions, does not include prostitution-related offenses. Tabkin, who was coerced into prostitution at 16 and recently helped shut down a brothel, highlighted the lack of support and rehabilitation funds for victims. Legislative efforts to expand the fund's sources have stalled, leaving victims without financial aid.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yana Tabkin, recognized as a human trafficking victim, is not receiving compensation due to insufficient funds.
- The victim compensation fund is replenished by assets from trafficking and slavery, excluding prostitution-related offenses.
- Tabkin was coerced into prostitution at age 16 and recently aided in closing a brothel.
- A proposed bill to include prostitution-related offenses in asset forfeiture for the fund has not advanced.
- The Ministry of Justice is exploring legislative changes to increase funding for trafficking victims.
Yana Tabkin, who spent 12 years in prostitution, has been officially recognized as a victim of human trafficking by the Ministry of Justice's anti-trafficking unit. The recognition came in August 2025, but Tabkin is not receiving the compensation funds designated for victims because the fund is insufficient. The fund is replenished by assets confiscated from traffickers and slavers, not from offenses related to prostitution. Tabkin experienced sexual violence from family members as a minor and was coerced into prostitution at age 16 by a taxi driver who handed her and a friend over to a pimp. She recently played a key role in exposing a brothel in Bnei Brak, allegedly operated by Einat Harel, providing evidence that led to its closure. However, no indictment has yet been filed against Harel, with the prosecution stating the case is still under review.
Despite her efforts to combat prostitution and her official victim status, Tabkin is not receiving financial aid for rehabilitation. She stated that the state's recognition is "on paper only" and that she was not guided through the process of obtaining victim status, even after years of involvement with women's organizations. Tabkin recounted being sold into a brothel at 16 and subsequently working in dozens of establishments across Israel. She also shared experiences of sexual abuse from ages 6 to 12, which she claims were dismissed by the National Insurance Institute, leaving her with a 100% work disability and post-traumatic stress.
The Ministry of Justice stated that Tabkin is being accompanied by relevant parties for rehabilitation and that they are exploring legislative changes to expand the fund's sources, including offenses related to prostitution, to increase available compensation. A government bill intended to address this funding gap by including prostitution-related offenses for asset forfeiture was not advanced by the current government. When approached by Kan News, Minister of Justice Yariv Levin deferred responsibility to the coalition chairman, leaving victims without immediate financial support for rehabilitation.